Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Massachusetts 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 master's degree can be a big stepping stone in your professional life, whether as a step up in your current field or as a way to shift into a new area of the job market. There are many schools across the U.S. that offer nearly free master's degrees online, and several of them are in Massachusetts. Students of various academic backgrounds can earn a master's degree online for little to no cost if they take advantage of different forms of savings. Continue reading to discover the Massachusetts schools that offer an almost free master's degree online.

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

With financial aid and other similar strategies, you can earn an online master's degree for less. It is important to note that there is no such thing as an entirely free master's degree, or any degree, whether through online courses or on-campus. University of the People is one of the few institutions that offer tuition-free online master's degree programs, but students are still responsible for applicable school and program fees.

Tuition-free online colleges are essentially schools where no tuition payment remains after financial aid or other discounts have been applied, and a school with a low tuition rate is the best place to start. Choosing an affordable school, and being proactive in your search for financial aid, can bring the cost of your degree down to very little, possibly nothing.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

While you won't likely find a completely free program, there are several strategies that you can use to earn your online master's degree at a cheap price. Several of the best resources and tools that you can use to cut the costs of your program are discussed below.

• Cheaper Tuition: Choosing a school with cheaper tuition gives you a lower price point to start with. The difference between $500 per credit and $1,000 per credit over the course of a master's program is significant. Many schools offer lower tuition rates to in-state students, while others have a single tuition rate for learners of various residencies. In addition, some schools offer lower tuition rates to full-time students and higher rates for part-time study.
• Transfer Credits: Transferring credits into your chosen program decreases the number of courses you need to take, bringing the program cost down as well. Most schools accept qualifying transfer credits from prior coursework, and many also offer transfer credits for assessment scores and life/work experiences. You could transfer in coursework from a bachelor's degree program and earn credits based on experiences or knowledge that you already have.
• Federal Student Aid: Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online to apply for federal aid, and many schools and states also use it to award their own aid. You can send your FAFSA results directly to your candidate schools from within the application. There are many cheap online schools that accept FAFSA with master's degree programs. Your school will let you know about your eligibility for federal financial aid.
• Scholarships and Grants: There are thousands of scholarships and grants that you can apply for. Some schools require the FAFSA before awarding their own grants, so it's smart to submit it early. Many schools offer in-house scholarships and grants, but most are offered through various private groups. No single school or website has a complete list of available awards, so you should be proactive in searching for them. The U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop is a good place to start, as it has thousands of awards in its database. Scholarships are available based on various criteria, from merit and background to field of study (e.g., information technology or healthcare).
• Federal Work-Study: Many schools offer federal work-study funding, which typically involves working part-time during your program to earn funds for your expenses. Schools often try to match work-study jobs to students' fields of study when possible. While these programs aren't specifically designed for working professionals or online learners, your school may have a work-study opportunity that can be balanced with your academic and professional obligations. Speak with the financial aid office at your candidate schools to find out more.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Many universities across the country offer graduate programs through online courses, with various options for master's degrees. While a master's program typically takes about two years instead of the four years of undergraduate work, it can still be expensive. Our team has reviewed the most affordable online master's degree options through a combination of lower tuition and available financial aid. The nine most affordable online master's programs in Massachusetts are discussed below.

1. Salem State University

Salem State University has several online master's degree options and some of the lowest graduate tuition in Massachusetts. Students can choose a Master of Education, Master of Social Work, or a master's degree in accounting, criminal justice, geo-information science, or teaching. The teaching and education programs offer concentration options, and online students can also earn related graduate certificates and/or licensures. Keep in mind that mandatory university fees are charged in addition to tuition, so the total per-credit cost is higher than the tuition rate alone.

• Average in-state tuition: $140 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $230 per credit
• Financial aid: Salem State offers several in-house scholarships and provides a list of other awards that students can review and apply for.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University has online master's degree programs in:

• business administration (MBA, with eight concentrations)
• education
• criminal justice
• forensic nursing

Online MBA and MEd courses are paid by the course, and the same all-inclusive rate applies to in-state and out-of-state students. In addition to low tuition rates, the school offers multiple graduate scholarships, including merit-based and field-specific awards.

• Average in-state tuition: $385 (MEd) to $436 (MBA) per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $385 (MEd) to $436 (MBA) per credit
• Financial aid: Fitchburg State offers several in-house scholarships to graduate students, including an online MBA scholarship that covers all tuition and fees for one 30-credit concentration, as well as a forensic nursing scholarship.
• Accreditation: NECHE

3. Gordon College

Gordon College offers online master's degree programs in education across numerous fields, such as early childhood education, Montessori education, and more. There are several in-house scholarships for students pursuing graduate degrees in education. Gordon College also has an online Master of Public Health (MPH) program, and MPH applicants are automatically considered for the Servant Leader Scholarship, worth up to $4,500.

• Average in-state tuition: $390 (education) to $625 (MPH) per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $390 (education) to $625 (MPH) per credit
• Financial aid: Gordon College has in-house scholarship options for students in education and public health master's programs.
• Accreditation: NECHE

4. Worcester State University

Worcester State University has online master's degree programs in nursing and education, each offering specialization options for customized degrees. Nursing students can choose between nurse educator or public and population health concentrations, while Master of Education (MEd) students can select from early childhood education, educational leadership and administration, elementary education, and special education. Online tuition rates include fees, with no additional per-credit charges.

• Average in-state tuition: $409 (MEd) to $504 (MSN) per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $409 (MEd) to $504 (MSN) per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for a wide variety of in-house scholarships during the spring semester, which are available in amounts from $400 to $4,000.
• Accreditation: NECHE

5. Merrimack College

Merrimack College offers online master's degrees in fields such as business, education, nursing, counseling, and engineering. Its online MBA is one of the most affordable private-college options in the state at $488 per credit, while most other graduate programs range from $560 to $750 per credit. A comprehensive fee is charged each semester.

Merrimack also offers competitive graduate fellowships that cover 50% to 100% of tuition, including full-tuition fellowships for civil and mechanical engineering students. However, these fellowships involve in-person placements, so they're best suited to students who live near campus.

• Average in-state tuition: $488 to $750 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $488 to $750 per credit
• Financial aid: Merrimack offers graduate scholarships and fellowships that can cover up to the full cost of tuition. Note that business programs are not currently eligible for fellowships or merit scholarships.
• Accreditation: NECHE

6. Framingham State University

Framingham State University has offered online programs since 1998 and has several online and hybrid master's degree options. Students can pursue a Master of Education (MEd) with concentrations such as special education and early childhood education, as well as an MBA and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Graduate courses through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education are priced per course, and university fees are included in the rate.

• Average in-state tuition: $492 to $562 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $492 to $562 per credit
• Financial aid: Framingham State offers a 10% tuition discount to employees of partner organizations. Eligible students in master's degree programs, graduate certificate programs, or the post-baccalaureate teacher licensure program can also use tuition waivers for graduate courses.
• Accreditation: NECHE

7. Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

Hellenic College Holy Cross pairs graduate theological study with spiritual formation in the Orthodox Christian tradition. Online students can earn a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) or a Master of Theology (ThM). The 24-credit ThM can be completed in one year of full-time study. Scholarships are available for students who maintain good academic standing, and the school also points students to outside scholarship sources.

• Average in-state tuition: $500 (ThM) to $625 (MTS) per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $500 (ThM) to $625 (MTS) per credit
• Financial aid: Hellenic College Holy Cross offers need-based aid and merit-based awards, and students can also apply for external scholarships.
• Accreditation: NECHE

8. Bay Path University

Bay Path University offers various online master's degree programs, with most tuition rates ranging from $585 to $975 per credit hour for 2026–27. Master's programs are available in cybersecurity, psychology, business administration, and more. The most affordable options include:

• Master of Education in special education
• Master of Science (MS) in applied behavior analysis
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Tuition rates are program-specific and the same for full-time and part-time students.

• Average in-state tuition: $585 to $975 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $585 to $975 per credit
• Financial aid: Bay Path offers graduate scholarships, including a 20% tuition award for Bay Path alumni and a grant for certain special education and applied behavior analysis students.
• Accreditation: NECHE

9. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

The University of Massachusetts at Lowell, or UMass Lowell, has several dozen fully online master's degree programs. Tuition is the same regardless of residency and ranges from $470 per credit for education programs to $750 per credit for certain advanced education courses. Students can pursue degrees in criminal justice, finance, business administration, education, cybersecurity, nursing, and more.

UMass Lowell offers a variety of in-house financial aid options for graduate students, including new scholarships for online MBA students.

• Average in-state tuition: $610 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $610 per credit
• Financial aid: Multiple in-house scholarships are available, including the Graduate Online Excellence Scholarship, which awards up to $2,000 to high-achieving new online master's students.
• Accreditation: NECHE

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

Massachusetts students aren't limited to in-state schools when they search for an affordable online master's degree. A small number of institutions nationwide use a tuition-free model, where students pay modest per-course fees instead of traditional tuition. These programs can be a strong fit for self-motivated learners who want a flexible, low-cost path to a graduate degree.

University of the People

University of the People is a nonprofit, fully online institution known for its tuition-free model. Instead of paying tuition, students pay assessment fees for each course they complete. Graduate options include a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), and a Master of Education (MEd). Assessment fees are $490 per course for the MBA and MSIT and $440 per course for the MEd. Because students pay one course at a time, they can spread costs out over the length of the program. University of the People is accredited by the 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.

Because no master's degree is truly free, we focused on Massachusetts schools that keep online graduate tuition low or offer funding that can substantially reduce the cost of a degree. We compared per-credit tuition for online programs, including fees where schools bundle them into the rate, and gave extra weight to schools that charge the same rate regardless of residency. We evaluated each school using the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Every school on this list holds institutional accreditation, which is required for federal financial aid eligibility and helps ensure that credits and degrees are widely recognized by employers and other schools.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compared current per-credit tuition for online master's programs and reviewed in-house scholarships, fellowships, tuition discounts, and waivers that can lower the final cost.
• Online availability: We prioritized schools with master's programs that can be completed fully online, or mostly online, so that working professionals and students outside Massachusetts can take advantage of them.
• Student outcomes: We considered graduation rates and post-graduation earnings data, where available, to make sure lower costs don't come at the expense of program quality.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tuition-Free Online Master's Degrees in Massachusetts

Paying for a master's degree raises a lot of questions, especially as federal aid rules and school pricing change. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about earning an affordable online master's degree in Massachusetts.

Are There Any Completely Free Online Master's Degrees in Massachusetts?

No Massachusetts school currently offers a completely free online master's degree. However, students can come close by choosing a school with low tuition and combining it with scholarships, employer tuition assistance, and other aid. Some schools also offer full-tuition awards, such as Fitchburg State University's online MBA scholarship, which covers all tuition and fees for one 30-credit concentration.

Do Out-of-State Students Pay More for Online Master's Programs in Massachusetts?

Not always. Many Massachusetts schools charge online graduate students the same rate regardless of where they live. Fitchburg State University, Worcester State University, and UMass Lowell all use a single online tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students. This can make Massachusetts programs a good value for learners across the country.

How Have Federal Student Loans for Graduate Students Changed?

Starting July 1, 2026, the federal Grad PLUS loan program is no longer available to new borrowers. New graduate students can still borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans, but those loans are capped at $20,500 per year and $100,000 total. Because of these limits, choosing a low-tuition program and applying for scholarships early is more important than ever. Students who need to cover a gap may have to rely on savings, employer assistance, or private loans.

Can Graduate Fellowships or Assistantships Help Cover the Cost?

Yes. Some Massachusetts schools offer fellowships and assistantships that cover part or all of graduate tuition. Merrimack College, for example, offers fellowships that cover 50% to 100% of tuition. These awards typically require a work placement, and many involve in-person hours, so they are often better suited to students who live near campus than to fully remote learners.

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

Many employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement for job-related graduate study, so it's worth checking with your human resources department before you enroll. Some schools also partner directly with employers. Framingham State University, for instance, offers a 10% tuition discount to employees of select partner organizations. Combining employer benefits with a low-tuition program can greatly reduce what you pay out of pocket.

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

If you're searching for the most affordable online master's degrees, review more of the top school lists on Learn.org. Our team combs through hundreds of schools to bring you information on the best options for quality, affordability, and flexibility. Contact the schools that offer programs of interest, and begin your next journey today.