Are There Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in North Carolina?

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.

These low rates, coupled with financial aid, could cover up to 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, the only school 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 that 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: $187.52 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 five 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 residents $191 per credit and non-residents $805.75 for most programs. The one exception is the online Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is $224 per credit for residents and $887.84 per credit for out-of-state students.

Average in-state tuition: $191 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $805.75 for most programs

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. All are $215.12 per credit for NC residents and $800.37 for non-residents.

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 these graduate programs.

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. 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 $250 per credit for in-state students and $877 per credit for out-of-state students. However, some programs, like the MBA program, the MS in data analytics, and the MS in cybersecurity, have a higher tuition rate.

Average in-state tuition: $250 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $877 per credit

Financial aid: NCAT accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. 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 the business degrees, which cost an additional $50 for in-state students and an additional $100 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

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 of the online master's programs, like the MEd programs, are charged at the base rate of $288.82 per credit for in-state students and $1,091.39 per credit for out-of-state students. Some programs have special rates, including the online MBA ($488.33 more per credit), the MSN ($66.67 more per credit), and the MSW ($30 more per credit).

Average in-state tuition: $288.82 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,091.39 per credit

Financial aid: UNC Charlotte offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. 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 $289.55 per credit hour to in-state residents and $1,020.05 per credit for out-of-state students. Some programs, like the online MBA, have additional tuition fees.

Average in-state tuition: $289.55 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,020.05 per credit

Financial aid: ECU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. 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 programs have an in-state tuition rate of $293.23 per credit and an out-of-state rate of $1,186.89 per credit. Exceptions include the MBA and Master of Science degrees in business fields, like business analytics and supply chain management, which are between $200 and $300 more per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $293.23 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,186.89 per credit

Financial aid: UNC Wilmington accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. North Carolina Central University

Through North Carolina Central University, students can earn master's degrees in a variety of fields. These include environmental science, humanities, information technology, and mathematics.

NCCU, a public HBCU, is located in Durham, NC. It charges in-state graduate students $297.62 per credit and out-of-state graduate students $1,036.95 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $297.62 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,036.95 per credit

Financial aid: NCCU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

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.