Are There Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Maine?

Although fully free online master's degrees are not available, students seeking an affordable degree path can significantly reduce costs through various financial aid options. Federal and state aid, scholarships from higher education institutions, and other funding sources can cover a portion of tuition costs for eligible students. However, it is important to note that additional costs beyond tuition may apply.

While a bachelor's degree is a great way to get a leg up in the job market, many careers require a master's degree. However, it can be hard for many students, especially working professionals, to make an on-campus degree work with their schedules. As a result, many students prefer to earn their master's online.

Online learning can often be less expensive than learning in person, but most online learners can't pay their full tuition out of pocket. While there aren't really free master's degrees online, there are ways to cover costs without resorting to student loans. Keep reading to learn more about earning a low-cost or free master's degree online in Maine.

Can I Get a Master's Degree Online for Free in Maine?

There are no completely free online colleges in Maine. In fact, the closest you can get to tuition-free online master's degree programs without financial aid is through the University of the People.

UoPeople is a nonprofit online school that does not charge for tuition. Instead, it charges an assessment fee per online course. For graduate courses, this fee is between $350 and $400. This means the degrees here are not totally free, but they are more affordable than most.

At Maine institutions, students can lower their tuition by applying for financial aid. All students should fill out the FAFSA each year to find out what they're approved for. There are many accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA in Maine.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Although there are no free master's degrees online in Maine, there are ways to significantly reduce your costs. These include:

• Choose a low-cost college: Tuition rates can vary quite a bit between schools in Maine, so choose one that offers a low tuition rate.
• Submit your FAFSA: The FAFSA determines what federal aid you qualify for, and is also required for many types of need-based programs through the state and your school.
• Apply for institutional aid: Many schools offer tuition scholarships, grants, and assistantship opportunities to help students pay for their graduate degrees.
• Look for private aid: You can also find aid through private organizations; several scholarship finders online can help you find options for which you qualify.
• Take advantage of employer-sponsored programs: Many employers offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement to employees.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Choosing one of the most affordable online master's degrees in Maine is a great way to keep your costs low. We've highlighted some of the most affordable options in Maine below.

1. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a private Catholic institution in Standish, ME. It offers several online master's degrees in fields like business administration, education, healthcare, and theology.

Tuition for online degrees at SJCM varies by program. The least expensive are the theology programs, at just $410 per credit; the most expensive are the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees, at $704 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $559 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $559 per credit
• Financial aid: SJCME accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. University of Maine Augusta

At the University of Maine at Augusta, students can choose from two online master's programs. One is a Master of Science (MS) in cybersecurity, and the other an MS in trauma-informed emergency management.

This public school, located in Augusta, ME, is in the University of Maine System. The in-state tuition rate for graduate students is $458 per credit, while out-of-state online students pay $605 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $458 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $605 per credit
• Financial aid: UMA offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: NECHE

3. University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine offers nearly 20 master's degrees through online learning. The southernmost member of the University of Maine System is based in Portland, ME.

Students at USM can earn degrees in fields like computer science, information technology, health science, and social sciences. Most programs are $509 per credit, but a few, like the Master of Public Health (MPH), are just $459.

• Average in-state tuition: $509 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $509 per credit
• Financial aid: USM offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: NECHE

4. University of Maine Fort Kent

An online Master of Science in nursing is available from the University of Maine at Fort Kent. This program offers two concentrations: adult-gerontology acute care nursing practice and psychiatric/mental health nursing practice.

UMFK, located in Fort Kent, ME, is another member of the University of Maine System. It charges $500 per credit hour for the online MSN.

• Average in-state tuition: $500 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $500 per credit
• Financial aid: UMFK accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: NECHE

5. Unity Environmental University

Unity Environmental University is a private, nonprofit school focused on the environmental sciences. It offers graduate-level degrees in fields like animal science, environmental data science, sustainability studies, and wildlife conservation, as well as a Sustainable Master of Business Administration (SMBA).

Tuition at Unity is $550 per credit for all online advanced degrees. There is no difference in tuition for different majors, including the MBA program.

• Average in-state tuition: $550 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $550 per credit
• Financial aid: Unity accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: NECHE

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

Discover the perfect online master's degree by exploring the high-quality programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.