Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Missouri 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.

You can, however, find almost free master's degrees online at various Missouri colleges. If you follow our advice and research carefully, you can identify scholarship opportunities and enjoy a practically free master's degree online.

Students who seek financial aid and select low-cost programs are more likely to finish their graduate degrees debt-free. We invite you to learn the most effective strategies for finding tuition-free online master's degree programs (or close to free) in Missouri.

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

While it's possible to earn a very low-cost degree with financial aid resources, you won't be able to enroll in a "free degree program" per se. We consider a free degree something you construct by eliminating the full tuition costs and enrolling in the most affordable advanced degree programs. Also, while there are tuition-free online colleges, like the University of the People (UoPeople), even those schools charge other non-tuition fees to attend.

So, the goal is to identify the almost-free master's degrees online. This is possible for degree seekers in Missouri who desire the convenience of online courses while earning marketable master's degrees in fields like computer science, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and information technology.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Consider these five effective strategies for lowering your tuition bill. This covers everything from employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement to leveraging your status as a military veteran.

• Get your employer to pay: Many American businesses partner with online colleges to offer discounts and tuition reimbursement for employees seeking a bachelor's degree or graduate degree. If you or your spouse wants to return to school, then speak to your employer to see if the company has tuition assistance options.
• Obtain federal financial aid: Most of the financial aid process revolves around completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many schools require it before considering you for institutional scholarships, and there are many accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA. Keep in mind that federal aid for graduate students consists mainly of loans rather than grants, so keeping tuition low matters.
• Ask about institutional scholarships: There are also many merit-based and need-based scholarships tied directly to specific colleges. You should research the financial aid section of your intended school's website. This will show if they have endowed scholarships tailored specifically for graduate students.‍
• Focus on in-state tuition opportunities: While some online colleges charge the same rate for in-state and out-of-state students, many programs do not. You could save several hundred dollars, per course, by choosing a graduate program in your state, especially among public universities.‍
• Utilize military discounts: Many universities offer tuition discounts to veterans and active-duty service members, and GI Bill benefits can cover a significant share of graduate tuition. If you served in the armed forces, be sure to mention it when you apply for admission and financial aid.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Here is a list of the cheapest online graduate schools with solid reputations in Missouri. These universities offer affordable tuition, 100% online or hybrid master's degrees, generous financial aid, and are fully accredited.

2. Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Southern State University offers online graduate programs in fields like data analytics and justice studies. Working professionals can also bolster their resumes by earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) 100% online, with concentrations in data analytics, health services/hospital administration, and management. Residents of several nearby states qualify for in-state tuition through the university's Lion Pride program, and a $42 per-credit-hour Lion Fee applies.

• Average in-state tuition: $400 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $701.75 per credit hour
• Financial aid: A single application to the Missouri Southern Foundation matches students to nearly 700 privately funded scholarships worth up to $5,000 each. New graduate students taking at least nine credit hours may also qualify for the Graduate Student Achievement Scholarship ($1,500) or the Graduate Non-Resident Scholarship ($2,500).
• Accreditation: HLC

2. Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) charges online graduate students the same tuition rate regardless of where they live. Its online catalog includes an MBA, an MS in management, an MS in healthcare management, and several Master of Arts in education programs, including educational leadership and elementary education. SEMO's online master's in criminal justice is also one of the highest-ranked programs of its kind in Missouri. Some programs offer eight-week terms and credit for prior learning, which can shorten your path to a degree.

• Average in-state tuition: $410 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $410 per credit hour
• Financial aid: SEMO Online partners with regional employers to offer tuition discounts to working professionals, and graduate students can apply for scholarships and federal aid through the FAFSA. General and program-specific fees apply.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Missouri State University

Missouri State University (MSU) charges the same rate for in-state and out-of-state students for online courses. Online learning students can obtain scholarships funded by MSU, alumni donors, corporations, and outside donors, like the Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation (MSLF). The university offers several online degrees in the health sciences and social sciences, along with several MBA program concentrations.

• Average in-state tuition: $414 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $414 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Graduate students are eligible for scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri offers many online master's degrees for full-time or part-time students. This includes several Master of Education (MEd) concentrations in areas like special education and early childhood education. You can also earn its Master of Science (MS) in data science and artificial intelligence online. That program is billed at the university's computer science graduate rate of $520 per credit hour.

• Average in-state tuition: $450 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $450 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Graduate students can finance their education with tuition scholarships, grants, and low-interest student loans.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University grants an online MBA to future business leaders seeking careers as project managers, marketing managers, business analysts, and other well-paying positions. The total tuition cost is $15,150, a competitively low rate for MBA programs. Courses are delivered in an accelerated format with multiple start dates each year. It's also a solid option for former military members, who can pursue veteran-focused grants and scholarships.

• Average in-state tuition: $492 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $492 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Applicants can pursue institutional scholarships by completing the FAFSA and Northwest's standard scholarship application, and they can use federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans to cover remaining costs.
• Accreditation: HLC

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

If you're open to schools outside Missouri, a small number of institutions offer tuition-free online master's degrees nationwide. These programs don't charge traditional tuition, but they do charge per-course assessment fees and other costs. Students should compare the total program cost with the low-tuition Missouri options above.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit, tuition-free online university. It offers graduate programs including a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), and a Master of Education (M.Ed.). Instead of tuition, students pay an assessment fee for each course they complete. Coursework is fully online and asynchronous, which makes the school a flexible option for working professionals.

Assessment fees: $490 per course for the MBA and MSIT; $440 per course for the M.Ed.
Financial aid: UoPeople offers scholarships that can help cover assessment fees for qualifying students.
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.

Because no school offers a completely free master's degree, we focus on programs where tuition, financial aid, or both can bring the total cost as close to free as possible. We prioritize public universities with low per-credit graduate rates, flat online tuition for out-of-state students, and aid options that are actually available at the graduate level. We evaluate each school on the following factors:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from a recognized accreditor, such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Accreditation affects eligibility for federal financial aid, credit transfer, and employer tuition reimbursement.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare current per-credit graduate tuition, total program costs where available, and graduate-specific scholarships and grants. We also note when a school charges the same rate to in-state and out-of-state online students.
• Online availability: We look for master's programs that can be completed fully online or in a flexible hybrid format, with an emphasis on in-demand fields like business, education, technology, and criminal justice.
• Student outcomes: We consider graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, and debt data from the College Scorecard to gauge whether a program offers strong value for its cost.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paying for a master's degree looks different than paying for a bachelor's degree, and recent changes to federal aid have made planning ahead more important than ever. Here are answers to common questions about affordable online master's programs in Missouri.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree Cost in Missouri?

Among the public universities on our list, online graduate tuition currently ranges from about $400 to $492 per credit hour for most students. For a typical 30-credit program, that works out to roughly $12,000 to $15,000 in tuition before fees. Specialized programs, such as business or computer science degrees, may charge higher per-credit rates.

Do Online Students Pay Out-of-State Tuition in Missouri?

Often, no. Several Missouri public universities, including Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University, Southeast Missouri State University, and the University of Central Missouri, charge online graduate students the same rate regardless of where they live. Policies vary by school and program, so confirm the rate with your intended school before enrolling.

Can Graduate Students Receive Grants?

Graduate students aren't eligible for Federal Pell Grants, and most Missouri state grants are limited to undergraduates. However, graduate students in teacher education may qualify for federal TEACH Grants, which require a service commitment after graduation. Many universities also offer graduate-specific scholarships, and employer tuition assistance can help close the gap.

How Did the 2026 Federal Loan Changes Affect Graduate Students?

Starting July 1, 2026, the federal Grad PLUS loan program ended for new borrowers. New graduate students can now borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a $100,000 lifetime limit for graduate study. Students who can no longer borrow up to the full cost of attendance have even more reason to choose low-tuition programs and pursue scholarships and employer assistance first.

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

Online learners can discover much more about affordable graduate programs by utilizing the wealth of information on Learn.org. This includes low-cost options for online degrees in business administration, healthcare, education, and more.