Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Montana 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.

Graduate programs can be expensive, and many people look for tuition-free online master's degrees to get a quality education at no cost. In reality, fully free programs aren't available because schools charge fees in some form. However, financial aid can offset these costs and sometimes cover tuition entirely.

Online learning is a flexible way to earn an affordable degree while managing work, family, and other responsibilities. Taking graduate-level courses online often reduces the cost of a degree, and choosing an affordable school drives that cost down further. Keep reading to find the right online master's degree for you.

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

There isn't an entirely free online master's degree in Montana, but various financial aid opportunities can significantly bring the costs down. From loans and grants to scholarships and work-study programs, students have numerous options for earning a degree affordably.

The only tuition-free online master's degree programs are offered by the University of the People (UoPeople), located in Pasadena, California. While tuition is free, there are other fees that come with attendance, including application fees and course assessment fees.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Even though there aren't any completely tuition-free online colleges in Montana, earning a graduate degree online doesn't have to break the bank. From full-tuition scholarships to federal loans, learners can make their master's degrees more affordable by following the tips below.

• Choosing an in-state school: Schools often offer lower tuition to in-state students, so residents can usually earn their degrees for less at local colleges than in other states.
• Applying for financial aid: By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), graduate students can apply for federal student loans and, at many schools, become eligible for institutional aid. Cheap online schools that accept FAFSA can help students make a quality education more affordable.
• Applying for work-study programs: Federal Work-Study is available to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need at participating schools, allowing them to earn wages that can go toward their education costs.
• Using military benefits: Active-duty service members and qualified veterans can apply for education assistance, such as GI Bill benefits or military tuition assistance.
• Employer tuition reimbursement: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement to employees returning to school to earn degrees relevant to their field. While this won't reduce costs up front, it can make a graduate program more affordable.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Whether you're a working adult looking to make a career change or a single parent going back to school, an online master's program could be the right option for you. Below are affordable graduate degree programs in Montana.

1. Montana State University Billings

Offering some of the most affordable online master's degrees, Montana State University Billings is a public school with several online graduate programs. Degree options include a Master of Health Administration, a Master of Education (MEd) with a reading option, and an MS in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling. Some programs include brief seminars or on-campus courses.

• Average in-state tuition: $302.15 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $599.32 per credit
• Financial aid: Scholarships, federal and state loans, grants
• Accreditation: NWCCU

2. Montana Technological University

In addition to numerous online courses, Montana Technological University offers two fully online master's programs at affordable rates. Students can enroll in the Master of Science (MS) in industrial hygiene or the MS in project engineering and management. The school also offers scholarships and other financial aid to help make its programs more affordable.

• Average in-state tuition: $321.31 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $796.55 per credit
• Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, grants
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

3. Montana State University

Montana State University offers numerous online master's options, including degrees in science education, family financial planning, and land resources and environmental sciences. The school offers various scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships to reduce the cost of a degree.

• Average in-state tuition: $350.95 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $473.80 per credit
• Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, grants
• Accreditation: NWCCU

4. University of Montana

Located in Missoula, the University of Montana offers more than a dozen online master's degrees. Program options include a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Arts in counselor education (school counseling), an MS in business analytics, and a Master of Social Work. UM also offers numerous scholarships funded by alumni, donors, and partners.

• Average in-state tuition: About $366 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: About $1,067 per credit
• Financial aid: Scholarships, federal and state loans, grants
• Accreditation: NWCCU

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

Montana doesn't have any tuition-free online master's programs, but students in the state aren't limited to local schools. Tuition-free online graduate programs are rare nationwide, and the best-known option is open to students anywhere, including Montana residents. Fees still apply, but the total cost can be well below that of a traditional graduate program.

University of the People

Based in Pasadena, California, 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 take. Graduate options include a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Education (MEd) in advanced teaching, and a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT). Students who can't afford the fees can apply for scholarships.

UoPeople doesn't participate in federal student aid programs, so students can't use federal loans or grants to cover their fees.

• Application fee: $60 (one-time)
• Course assessment fees: $490 per course (MBA and MSIT); $440 per course (MEd)
• Financial aid: Scholarships
• 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 that offer the lowest overall cost or strong funding opportunities for graduate students. We prioritize schools where students can complete a master's degree mostly or entirely online, so working adults and students in rural parts of Montana can enroll without relocating. Each school on our list is evaluated using the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Every school must hold institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, such as the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Accreditation affects eligibility for federal financial aid, credit transfers, and professional licensure.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare published per-credit rates for online graduate students, including in-state and out-of-state tuition. We also consider the availability of scholarships, assistantships, and other funding opportunities that can lower the final cost.
• Online availability: We look for fully online master's programs or programs that require only limited in-person sessions. We also consider the variety of online graduate degrees each school offers.
• Student outcomes: We review graduation rates, typical student debt, and post-graduation earnings data where available to gauge the value students receive for their investment.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

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

Paying for graduate school raises a lot of questions, especially after recent changes to federal student loans. Below are answers to common questions about earning an affordable online master's degree in Montana.

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

Costs vary by school and residency status. For the 2026-27 academic year, in-state online graduate tuition at the schools on our list ranges from about $302 to $366 per credit. For a typical 30-credit master's degree, that's roughly $9,000 to $11,000 in tuition for Montana residents, before fees and books. Out-of-state students pay more, from about $474 to $1,067 per credit.

What Changed With Federal Student Loans for Graduate Students in 2026?

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal Grad PLUS loan program ended for new borrowers on July 1, 2026. New graduate students can now borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a $100,000 lifetime limit for graduate borrowing. Students who took out federal loans before July 1, 2026, may continue borrowing under the previous rules for a limited time. With lower federal limits, choosing a low-cost program and applying for scholarships matters more than ever.

Can Out-of-State Students Get Lower Tuition at Montana Schools?

Many Montana universities offer online-only rates that are lower than their on-campus out-of-state tuition. At Montana State University, for example, out-of-state online graduate students pay about $474 per credit. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) offers reduced tuition to students from participating Western states, but it generally applies to eligible on-campus programs rather than online degrees. Check with your school to see which rate applies to your program.

Can I Use Federal Financial Aid at University of the People?

No. University of the People doesn't participate in federal student aid programs, so students can't use federal loans or grants to pay their course assessment fees. Students who need help covering the fees can apply for scholarships directly through the university.

Find Affordable Online Master's Degrees

If you're a working adult considering returning to school either part-time or full-time, online master's programs are the perfect way to get an education at your own pace. While there's no truly free master's degree online, there are ways to earn a degree for cheap.

From scholarships and loans to grants and assistantships, there are plenty of options to make getting an advanced degree affordable. Continue browsing affordable online master's degrees on Learn.org.