Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Maryland 2027

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.

Earning a free master's degree online requires some combination of low tuition, financial aid, and other financial strategies. Programs for low-cost or tuition-free online master's degrees are available at various schools, both in and outside of Maryland. Regardless of your academic and professional background, you can pursue a degree in numerous in-demand fields, often with few or no on-campus requirements. Continue reading to explore strategies for finding and financing a tuition-free online master's degree program.

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

If you're interested in earning a free master's degree online, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. University of the People is one of the few accredited schools that charges no tuition, but even it charges assessment fees for each course, so no master's program is entirely free. Tuition-free online colleges still have various fees, like program and technology fees, and there may be related expenses for books and other materials.

Online learning options have lower costs than on-campus options at many schools, and many programs offer flexible scheduling, with some allowing students to progress at their own pace. Whether you're planning to study part-time or full-time, affordable online programs are available across Maryland. You can earn a high-quality online master's in various fields at a significantly reduced cost if you utilize financial aid and other strategies to decrease your expenses.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

You can drastically reduce the cost of your online master's degree by utilizing several affordability strategies, such as applying for financial aid and transferring in credits. Whether you are pursuing an MBA program, a degree in social sciences, or a program in another field, a low-cost online graduate degree is within your grasp. Some of the top affordability strategies are discussed below.

• Transferring Credits: Many universities allow you to transfer qualifying graduate-level coursework in as credits, enabling you to decrease the total number of credits that you need to complete for your degree. Some schools also offer accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathways that let undergraduates count a limited number of graduate courses toward both degrees.
• Federal Student Aid: Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows you to apply for various forms of financial aid at cheap online schools that accept FAFSA and other institutions. For graduate students, federal aid mainly comes in the form of Direct Unsubsidized Loans and, at some schools, work-study, since Pell Grants are generally limited to undergraduates.
• Low-Cost Tuition: Choosing a school with a lower tuition rate ultimately decreases the cost of your program. Some schools also charge a single flat rate for online programs regardless of residency, which can be a major savings for out-of-state students.
• State Aid: You can apply for state aid to cover the costs of your program, including grants and scholarships offered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. For example, the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship is available to graduate students who commit to teaching in a high-need Maryland public school.
• Private Aid: There are thousands of scholarships, grants, fellowships, and other aid offered through private organizations. They are available based on a variety of criteria (merit, program, etc.), and you can search for them on sites like CareerOneStop and others (no site lists all available awards).
• Institutional Aid: Many schools offer in-house scholarships and grants. You can call the financial aid offices of your candidate schools to find out what financial aid options are available to you from the school's award pool. A lot of schools also list financial aid opportunities on their websites.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Our team has reviewed available programs at colleges in Maryland to determine which ones offer the most affordable graduate programs, graduate-level tuition scholarships, and other applicable aid. You can earn a master's degree at one of the cheapest online graduate schools in fields such as cybersecurity, data science, and business administration. The cheapest online master's degree programs in Maryland are discussed below.

1. University of Maryland - Eastern Shore

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has online master's degree programs in the following fields:

• cybersecurity and engineering technology
• criminology and criminal justice
• data science and analytics engineering

Online programs are designed with working professionals in mind, and some schedule live class sessions in the late afternoon or evening so students with full-time jobs can participate. UMES graduate students can be considered for graduate assistantships and federal loans. As students at an HBCU, they may also qualify for outside scholarships aimed at HBCU students.

• Average in-state tuition: $378 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $721 per credit ($535.50 for Delaware and Eastern Shore of Virginia residents)
• Financial aid: Graduate assistantships are available to highly qualified students, along with federal loans and outside scholarships, including awards for HBCU students.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Salisbury University

At Salisbury University, online students can complete master's degrees in business administration, conflict analysis and dispute resolution, educational leadership, geographic information systems management, nursing, and social work.

Salisbury offers a variety of institutional scholarships, including merit-based, need-based, and field-specific awards. The school also offers the SU Federal Service Scholarship, which lowers the per-credit tuition rate for several online programs for eligible former federal employees and contractors.

• Average in-state tuition: $453 to $848 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $590 to $848 per credit
• Financial aid: Several dozen scholarships are offered by the school and its donors, with awards available based on merit, need, program, and other criteria.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

3. Bowie State University

Bowie State University has online master's degree programs in several fields:

• computer science
• reading education
• culturally responsive teacher leadership
• internet technologies
• information systems

Bowie State's approved fully online programs charge tuition plus only the Bowie Card fee and technology fee, rather than the full set of mandatory campus fees. The school also offers several scholarship options, including program-specific awards, and provides resources for locating federal and state grants.

• Average in-state tuition: $457 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $760 per credit
• Financial aid: Students have access to multiple program-specific and other scholarships offered through the school, as well as state and other external aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Morgan State University

Morgan State University has a variety of online master's degree programs, including options in:

• social work
• advanced computing
• business administration
• education
• project management
• applied neuroscience

Morgan State is one of Maryland's HBCUs and offers institutional scholarships based on criteria such as GPA, program, and demographics. Its online MBA and MSW are billed at flat program rates ($30,000 and $40,000, respectively), regardless of residency.

• Average in-state tuition: $495 to $834 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $667 to $970 per credit
• Financial aid: Institutional scholarships are offered based on several criteria, including program, GPA, and demographics.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Frostburg State University

Frostburg State University offers several online master's degrees, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) that can be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time. The MBA offers three concentration options: general management, data analytics, and healthcare management.

Seven-week courses enable students to adjust their enrollment as needed and complete the program sooner. Online graduate students pay the same flat rate regardless of residency, and they can apply for institutional scholarships to bring down their program costs.

• Average in-state tuition: $525 per credit (online rate)
• Average out-of-state tuition: $525 per credit (online rate)
• Financial aid: Students can review and apply for hundreds of institutional scholarships through Frostburg State's online scholarship tool.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

6. Stevenson University

Stevenson University offers more than a dozen fully online master's degrees, with options in cybersecurity and digital forensics, communication, healthcare management, nursing, and forensic science. Stevenson University Online charges no fees on top of tuition, and graduate students can also apply for graduate assistant positions with the school.

Graduate assistants typically work about 20 hours per week and receive a tuition waiver and a stipend in return. Positions are open to qualified master's students and are posted through the university's human resources site.

• Average in-state tuition: $515 to $719 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $515 to $719 per credit
• Financial aid: In addition to state and external aid, graduate students can apply for an assistantship that covers the cost of tuition for two years.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

7. Hood College

Hood College has several online master's degree programs:

• nursing
• information technology
• mathematics education
• reading specialization
• educational leadership
• business administration
• curriculum and instruction
• general education (multidisciplinary studies)

Hood College offers a variety of program-specific and other financial aid awards. Tuition is set by program cluster, and most of the education programs on this list fall into the school's lowest-cost cluster.

• Average in-state tuition: $535 to $900 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $535 to $900 per credit
• Financial aid: There are a wide variety of program-specific scholarships, as well as other financial aid awards offered by the school.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

8. University of Maryland - Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) offers an array of fully online programs for many in-demand fields. Some of the master's programs available are those in management, biotechnology, information technology, cybersecurity, and education.

Students can apply for several in-house scholarships, as well as a need-based graduate grant. In addition, there are more than 100 donor-backed scholarships offered to UMGC students.

• Average in-state tuition: $555 to $694 per credit ($336 military)
• Average out-of-state tuition: $659 to $694 per credit ($336 military)
• Financial aid: More than 100 scholarships are available to UMGC students, including in-house and donor scholarships as well as grant opportunities.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

9. Goucher College

Goucher College has several online master's degree programs:

• Master of Arts (MA) in applied policy analysis
• MA in environmental sustainability management
• MA in teaching
• MA in digital communication
• Master of Education (with ten specialization options)

Education students can transfer up to nine credits of qualifying coursework, and teachers in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Cecil, and Dorchester county school systems may be eligible for cohort tuition or fee discounts. Students can also apply for several scholarships and grants, including state grants and merit scholarships. Some non-education programs may include a residency component, so check each program's format.

• Average in-state tuition: $570 to $1,030 per credit (plus a $73 per-credit student and technology fee)
• Average out-of-state tuition: $570 to $1,030 per credit$570 to $1,030 per credit (plus a $73 per-credit student and technology fee)
• Financial aid: Students can apply for merit-based scholarships, county cohort discounts, state grants, and other forms of financial aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

10. Loyola University Maryland

Loyola University Maryland offers various online master's degree programs, including those in teaching (Master of Arts in Teaching), school counseling, and Montessori education.

Scholarships are available for several programs, as well as through other criteria such as merit. For example, the CREST program awards full-time MAT students roughly $18,000 to $22,000 toward tuition, books, fees, and licensure exams.

• Average in-state tuition: $475 to $785 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $475 to $785 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for many scholarships and other awards, including merit scholarships for several education programs and the CREST award for MAT students.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

Other Tuition-Free Online Colleges in the U.S.

Truly tuition-free graduate programs are rare, and none of Maryland's colleges currently offer one. If keeping costs as low as possible is your top priority, it may be worth looking at schools outside the state. The best-known option is a nonprofit online university that replaces tuition with modest per-course fees.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit online university that doesn't charge tuition. Instead, students pay a one-time application fee and an assessment fee for each course they complete. It offers three fully online master's degrees:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT)
• Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Courses are fully online and asynchronous, which makes the programs a good fit for working professionals. Students who can't cover the assessment fees can apply for scholarships funded through UoPeople's corporate and organizational partners. UoPeople's degree programs don't lead to professional licensure or certification. This matters for M.Ed. students who need a teaching license.

Assessment fees: $490 per course (MBA and MSIT); $440 per course (M.Ed.)
Financial aid: Scholarships are available to help students cover assessment fees.
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

No master's degree is completely free, so this list focuses on the schools where students are most likely to come close. We compare published per-credit graduate tuition for online programs and look at the funding each school offers graduate students, such as institutional scholarships, assistantships, and tuition discounts. We give extra weight to schools whose online rates stay low for out-of-state students. Each school is evaluated on the following factors:

• Accreditation: Every school on this list holds institutional accreditation from a recognized accreditor, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This helps ensure that students qualify for federal aid and that their degree will be recognized by employers and other schools.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare current per-credit graduate tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, including flat online rates. We also review the scholarships, grants, assistantships, and discounts available to graduate students.
• Online availability: We prioritize schools offering master's degrees that can be completed fully online or with minimal on-campus requirements. We also consider flexible formats, such as accelerated terms and evening or asynchronous courses.
• Student outcomes: We review institution-level data, such as graduation rates and post-graduation earnings, to gauge how well each school supports students through completion and into their careers.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

FAQs About Low-Cost Online Master's Degrees in Maryland

Paying for a master's degree looks different than it did just a few years ago, especially since federal loan rules changed in 2026. Below are answers to some common questions about keeping the cost of an online master's degree as low as possible.

Can I Still Get Graduate PLUS Loans for My Online Master's Degree?

Most new graduate students can't. The federal Grad PLUS loan program was eliminated for new borrowers on July 1, 2026. Graduate students in master's programs can now borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a $100,000 lifetime limit for graduate study. Students who borrowed for their current program before July 1, 2026, may be able to keep borrowing under the old rules for a limited time. These changes make low tuition, scholarships, and employer assistance even more important for covering the full cost of a degree.

Does Maryland Offer State Financial Aid for Graduate Students?

Yes, though most of Maryland's state aid programs are aimed at undergraduates. The Maryland Higher Education Commission offers some awards that graduate students can use. One example is the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship, which covers tuition and fees for students who commit to teaching in a high-need Maryland public school. Some Maryland colleges also match state awards, so ask your school's financial aid office which programs you may qualify for.

Can Out-of-State Students Get Low Tuition for Online Programs in Maryland?

Often, yes. Several Maryland schools charge a single flat rate for online programs, regardless of where students live. Frostburg State University, for example, charges $525 per credit for online graduate programs. Salisbury University's online MBA, MSW, and MSN programs also have flat rates. Private colleges such as Stevenson University and Hood College charge the same tuition to all students.

Can My Employer Help Pay for My Master's Degree?

Many employers offer tuition assistance, and it can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Under federal tax law, employers can provide up to $5,250 per year in educational assistance that isn't counted as taxable income. Some Maryland schools also partner with employers, school districts, and government agencies to offer tuition discounts. Check with your HR department and the schools you're considering to see what partnerships are available.

Is University of the People Accredited?

Yes. University of the People is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the same type of institutional accreditation held by many traditional U.S. universities. It earned WSCUC accreditation in 2025, after previously being accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). However, its programs don't lead to professional licensure, so students in fields like teaching should confirm that a UoPeople degree meets their career requirements.

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

Our team has created many pages that list top programs for students, from those that are the most affordable to those that are program-specific. Browse through our pages to find the right programs for your goals, and reach out to schools to find out more.