Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in North Carolina 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.

While there may not be many tuition-free online master's degrees in the U.S., one of the states with the lowest rates for graduate degrees is North Carolina. This includes rates for online degrees, which many students prefer as they're more flexible than on-campus programs.

Combined with these low rates, financial aid could cover your full tuition costs and essentially provide you with a free master’s degree online. Keep reading to discover affordable and free online master’s degrees in North Carolina.

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

There are no tuition-free online colleges in North Carolina. In fact, one of the only schools in the U.S. with tuition-free online master’s degree programs is the University of the People.

UoPeople is a private, nonprofit online school that does not charge a tuition rate. However, it does charge an assessment fee for each online course. While these costs are still much less than you'll find at other universities, the school is not completely free.

There may not be free online degrees in North Carolina, but the schools in North Carolina are highly affordable. A low tuition rate, coupled with financial aid, can significantly reduce or even eliminate your costs.

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to find out what government aid they qualify for. There are many cheap online schools that accept FAFSA in North Carolina.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

There are multiple ways to make an online graduate degree affordable in North Carolina. These include:

• Choose an affordable school: For North Carolina residents, the most affordable options are public, in-state institutions.
• File the FAFSA: The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal and state need-based aid. Your school will likely require it for institutional aid as well.
• Pursue institutional financial aid: Many colleges and universities offer grants, scholarships, or assistantships to help students pay for their advanced degrees.
• Apply for private aid: You can often find scholarships and other types of aid through independent organizations. Use scholarship finders, like the one on the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop website, to see what you might be eligible for.
• Consider employer-sponsored programs: If you're a working professional, check to see if your employer offers tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement programs.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

The most affordable online master's degrees in North Carolina primarily come from public institutions. These schools have fairly affordable tuition rates, and we've highlighted them below.

1. Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University is a public historically Black university (HBCU) in Elizabeth City, NC. It offers an online Master of Education (MEd) in elementary education with two tracks: initial certification in K-6 education and teacher leader.

The in-state tuition rate for this program is just $187.52 per credit, and the out-of-state rate is $913.17 per credit. Financial aid options like scholarships and work-study options are available to graduate students.

• Average in-state tuition: $187.52 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $913.17 per credit
• Financial aid: ECSU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Fayetteville State University

At Fayetteville State University, students can choose from several online master’s degrees. Areas of study include business administration, criminal justice, nursing, and psychology.

FSU, a public HBCU, is located in Fayetteville, NC. It charges NC residents $204.89 per credit for most online graduate programs. Out-of-state students who live outside North Carolina and enroll in an online program pay a reduced rate of $477.50 per credit. The one exception is the online Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is $237.89 per credit for residents and $560 per credit for out-of-state online students.

• Average in-state tuition: $204.89 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $477.50 per credit for online students living outside NC
• Financial aid: FSU offers institutional aid, including scholarships. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University offers a few different graduate degrees online. The public HBCU is located in Winston-Salem, NC.

Online programs at WSSU include an MBA, a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and a Master of Science (MS) in rehabilitation counseling. Most online graduate programs are $215.12 per credit for NC residents and $800.37 for non-residents. The online MBA is slightly higher at $219.39 per credit for residents and $816.37 for non-residents, and the MHA carries an additional per-semester program charge.

• Average in-state tuition: $215.12 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $800.37 per credit
• Financial aid: WSSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Several online master’s degrees are available through the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Areas of study include business administration, education, public administration, and social work.

UNC Pembroke, located in Pembroke, NC, is a public university. It charges in-state residents $237.78 per credit and out-of-state residents $963.28 per credit for its online graduate programs. The accelerated online MBA is especially affordable for out-of-state students: it costs $268.10 per credit for NC residents and $615 per credit for non-residents, including a $30.32 per-credit program fee.

• Average in-state tuition: $237.78 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $963.28 per credit
• Financial aid: UNC Pembroke accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Western Carolina University

Students at Western Carolina University can find a variety of master's degrees online. Areas of study include health sciences, human resources, management, and school administration.

WCU, a public university, is located in Cullowhee, NC. It charges an in-state tuition rate of $253.78 per credit hour and an out-of-state rate of $849.28 per credit. The exception is business degrees, which cost an additional $50 per credit for in-state students and an additional $100 per credit for out-of-state students.

• Average in-state tuition: $253.78 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $849.28 per credit
• Financial aid: WCU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. East Carolina University

Dozens of online degree programs are available through East Carolina University. Areas of study include computer science, data science, education, and healthcare.

ECU, located in Greenville, NC, is a public research university. It charges online students $277.06 per credit hour for in-state residents and $1,044.06 per credit for out-of-state students. Some programs carry additional tuition, including College of Business programs like the online MBA ($166 more per credit) and MSN programs ($150 more per credit).

• Average in-state tuition: $277.06 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,044.06 per credit
• Financial aid: ECU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers multiple master’s degrees to online learners. UNC Charlotte is a public research university in Charlotte, NC.

Most online master’s programs are charged at the base rate of $295.78 per credit for in-state students and $1,260.44 per credit for out-of-state students. However, out-of-state students who live outside North Carolina and enroll in an approved online program pay a reduced rate of $591.56 per credit. Some programs carry additional tuition, including the MSN ($66.67 more per credit) and the MSW ($30 more per credit).

• Average in-state tuition: $295.78 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $591.56 per credit for online students living outside NCFinancial aid: UNC Charlotte offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Financial aid: UNC Charlotte offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. North Carolina Central University

TThrough North Carolina Central University, students can earn master’s degrees online in a variety of fields. These include career counseling, educational technology, information science, and library science.

NCCU, a public HBCU, is located in Durham, NC. It charges in-state graduate students $299.23 per credit and out-of-state graduate students $1,038.57 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $299.23 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,038.57 per credit
• Financial aid: NCCU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina A&T State University is a public research HBCU in Greensboro, NC. It offers online master’s degrees in fields like computer science, education, engineering, and information technology.

Most online graduate degrees at NCAT are $303 per credit for in-state students and $1,035.45 per credit for out-of-state students. However, some programs have a higher tuition rate. The online MBA is $567 per credit for NC residents and $887 for out-of-state students, and the MS in cybersecurity and MS in data analytics each carry an additional $102.78 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $303 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,035.45 per credit
• Financial aid: NCAT accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. University of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public research institution in Wilmington, NC. It offers master’s degrees in business, education, healthcare, and social sciences to online students.

Most online programs have an in-state tuition rate of $320.17 per credit and an out-of-state rate of $1,295.84 per credit. Exceptions include the online MBA, which costs about $536 per credit for NC residents, and some other business and public administration programs that carry additional differential tuition.

• Average in-state tuition: $320.17 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,295.84 per credit
• Financial aid: UNC Wilmington accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

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

There are no tuition-free online colleges in North Carolina, but North Carolina residents aren’t limited to in-state schools when they study online. Nationwide, tuition-free online master’s programs are rare. The best-known option is the University of the People, which accepts students from North Carolina and around the world.

University of the People

The University of the People (UoPeople) is a private, nonprofit online university that doesn’t charge tuition. Instead, students pay an assessment fee for each course they complete. Graduate programs include a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), and a Master of Education (MEd).

The MBA and MSIT have an assessment fee of $490 per course, and the MEd is $440 per course. Because students pay by the course rather than the credit, the total cost of a UoPeople master’s degree is often well below that of a traditional program. However, it is not completely free.

Assessment fees: $490 per course (MBA and MSIT); $440 per course (MEd)
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 in North Carolina offers a fully tuition-free master’s degree, we focused on the next best thing: accredited North Carolina schools with the lowest per-credit graduate tuition for online students. We ranked schools by their current in-state rate. Where a school charges separate rates for online programs, we used those online-specific rates. We considered the following factors:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Accreditation signals academic quality and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compared each school’s official per-credit tuition for the current academic year. We noted program-specific tuition differentials and discounted rates for out-of-state online students, and we confirmed that each school accepts FAFSA and offers institutional aid.
• Online availability: Each school offers at least one master’s degree that can be completed fully online, so students can earn their degree without relocating.
• Student outcomes: We reviewed metrics such as graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to make sure affordable programs also deliver strong results.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

FAQs About Tuition-Free Online Master’s Degrees in North Carolina

Costs and financial aid rules can change from year to year, so it’s worth checking the details before you apply. Below are answers to common questions about paying for an online master’s degree in North Carolina.

Do Out-of-State Students Pay Less for Online Programs in North Carolina?

At some schools, yes. Fayetteville State University and UNC Charlotte both charge reduced rates to out-of-state students who live outside North Carolina and enroll in an approved online program. At FSU, these students pay $477.50 per credit, and at UNC Charlotte, they pay $591.56 per credit, far below each school’s standard non-resident rate. UNC Pembroke’s accelerated online MBA also costs out-of-state students just $615 per credit.

Does NC Promise Lower Tuition for Graduate Students?

No. NC Promise reduces tuition to $500 per semester for in-state undergraduates at Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, UNC Pembroke, and Western Carolina. Out-of-state undergraduates who start in fall 2026 or later pay $3,500 per semester. Graduate students pay the standard graduate rates at these schools, though those rates are still among the lowest in the state.

Can I Still Get Federal Loans for an Online Master’s Degree?

Yes, but the rules changed recently. As of July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is no longer available to new borrowers. Most new graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a lifetime limit of $100,000. Students enrolled less than full-time may be eligible for a reduced amount. Filling out the FAFSA is still the first step for federal loans and many school-based awards.

Are Online Master’s Programs Cheaper Than On-Campus Programs?

Tuition is often similar, but online students usually pay fewer fees. Many North Carolina universities waive campus-based fees, like athletics, health services, and student activities fees, for students enrolled in distance education programs. At UNC Wilmington, for example, online graduate students don’t pay the $128.95 per-credit university fee that on-campus students are charged.

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

Find the perfect affordable master's degree by exploring the accredited universities featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.