Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in North Dakota 2027

Updated on:

October 8, 2026

By choosing a low-cost school and receiving financial aid, students in North Dakota may be able to reduce or completely eliminate their master's degree tuition.

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.

There are many reasons someone may choose to earn a master's degree: to reach specific career goals, to stand out in the job market, or to increase their salary. For example, professionals with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) far outearn those with a bachelor's degree.

There are many reasons someone may choose to earn a master’s degree: to reach specific career goals, to stand out in the job market, or to increase their salary. For example, professionals with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) often earn significantly more than those with only a bachelor’s degree.

Although no school offers completely free master's degrees online, there are ways to lower your costs so you can avoid paying out of pocket or taking on student loan debt. Keep reading to learn about earning a low-cost or free master's degree online in North Dakota.

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

There aren’t any truly free master’s degrees online in North Dakota. However, there are several low-cost options, and some programs could cover all costs.

The only school that really offers tuition-free online master’s degree programs is the University of the People, and even these aren’t totally free. UoPeople is an accredited, nonprofit, online institution based in Pasadena, CA. It doesn’t charge tuition, but it does charge a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee of $430 to $490 per graduate-level online course. While this is less expensive than many schools, it’s not completely free. UoPeople also doesn’t participate in federal financial aid programs, though it does offer its own scholarships.

You may be able to earn a free master’s degree online by pursuing financial aid. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they qualify for. You’ll find several accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA in North Dakota.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

There are a few different strategies graduate students can employ to lower the cost of their online degree. These include:

Choose a low-cost program: Tuition varies between schools and even specific degrees, so look for the school that is most affordable for your area of study.
Fill out the FAFSA: The FAFSA determines what federal aid you qualify for and is often used to determine need-based state and institutional aid.
Pursue institutional aid: Many colleges and universities offer scholarships, even full-tuition scholarships, as well as grants and assistantship options to students.
Apply for private aid: Organizations across the country provide scholarships to students. Use a scholarship finder to discover what you might qualify for.
Take advantage of employer-sponsored aid: Some employers offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement programs to employees.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

By pursuing the most affordable online master's degrees, you're setting yourself up to pay as little as possible. We've highlighted some low-cost online master's programs in North Dakota below.

1. Dickinson State University

Dickinson State University is a public institution in Dickinson, ND. It offers online master’s degrees in business administration, elementary education, entrepreneurship, and teaching.

The tuition rate for graduate students at DSU is $364.15 per credit hour. This rate is the same whether students live in North Dakota or in another state.

Average in-state tuition: $364.15 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $364.15 per credit
Financial aid: DSU offers institutional scholarships and accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Valley City State University

Valley City State University offers a variety of advanced degrees through online learning. It is a public university in Valley City, ND.

The online graduate degrees available at VCSU are a Master of Arts (MA) in teaching, a Master of Education (MEd) with several concentrations, and a Master of Science (MS) in business information systems. All have a tuition rate of $366.92 per credit.Valley City State University offers a variety of advanced degrees through online learning. It is a public university in Valley City, ND.

Average in-state tuition: $410.33 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $410.33 per credit
Financial aid: VCSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
Accreditation: HLC

3. Minot State University

Several online graduate degrees are available through Minot State University. Subjects include education, information systems, management, and speech-language pathology.

MSU, located in Minot, ND, is a public university. It charges $433.68 per credit hour for graduate tuition, regardless of residency.

Average in-state tuition: $433.68 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $389.65 per credit$433.68 per credit
Financial aid: MSU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
Accreditation: HLC

4. Mayville State University

Students at Mayville State University can choose from four online master’s degrees: a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), a Master of Education (MEd), a Master of Science in Leadership (MSL), and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The MSL is Mayville State’s newest graduate program, launching in fall 2026. It’s a 36-credit, fully online program designed for working professionals.

This public university is located in Mayville, ND. Tuition here varies by program; the teaching, education, and leadership programs cost $455.07 per credit, while the MSN is $512.83 per credit hour.

Average in-state tuition: $469.51 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $469.51 per credit
Financial aid: MMayville State offers institutional aid, including the Larson Master of Science in Leadership Scholarship for MSL students. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: HLC

5. North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University is a public research university in Fargo, ND. It offers numerous master’s degrees online in fields like business analytics, computer science, data science, and various social sciences.

Tuition at NDSU typically depends on where you live, but students in its dedicated online master’s programs pay the same rate regardless of residency. The base online rate is $473.44 per credit. Some programs charge differential tuition: online engineering-college programs, such as computer science, cost $521.06 per credit, while online business programs, such as business analytics, cost $717.89 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $473.44 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $473.44 per credit
Financial aid: NDSU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
Accreditation: HLC

6. University of Jamestown

At the University of Jamestown, students will find a handful of online degree programs at the master’s level. Areas of study include business administration, clinical counseling, computational pathology and digital medicine, curriculum and instruction, information technology leadership, leadership, and medical sciences. The clinical counseling program is delivered online but includes a one-week, in-person residency on campus.

The University of Jamestown, a private Christian school, is located in Jamestown, ND. Tuition varies by program. It starts at $350 per credit for the MEd. The leadership, business administration, and information technology leadership programs cost $475 per credit, and clinical counseling is $680 per credit. The computational pathology and digital medicine and medical sciences degrees top out at $765 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $557.50 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $557.50 per credit
Financial aid: The University of Jamestown accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: HLC

7. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers dozens of graduate degrees online. UND is a public research university in Grand Forks, ND.

Online learners will find graduate degrees in business, cybersecurity, education, engineering, healthcare, and the sciences. All online students pay the same per-credit rate regardless of residency, though the rate depends on the program. Tuition starts at $552.41 per credit for the MBA and goes up to $911.98 per credit for the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner MSN.

Average in-state tuition: $732.20 per credit
Average out-of-state tuition: $732.20 per credit
Financial aid: UND offers institutional aid and accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: HLC

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

Students who are open to schools outside North Dakota have one more option worth considering. A handful of institutions across the country use tuition-free models, which charge small per-course or administrative fees instead of traditional tuition. These schools can be among the least expensive ways to earn an accredited graduate degree online.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit, fully online university based in Pasadena, CA. It offers three online master’s degrees: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), and a Master of Education (M.Ed.).

UoPeople doesn’t charge tuition. Instead, students pay a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each course they complete. Graduate assessment fees are $490 per course for the MBA and MSIT and $440 per course for the M.Ed. Because UoPeople doesn’t charge tuition, it doesn’t participate in federal financial aid programs. However, the school partners with outside organizations to offer scholarships that can help cover assessment fees.

Graduate programs: MBA, MSIT, M.Ed.
Cost: $440 to $490 per course, plus a $60 application fee
Financial aid: UoPeople offers scholarships but does not accept FAFSA.
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 keep costs low through affordable per-credit tuition, flat rates for online students, and strong financial aid options. We compare each school’s current graduate tuition, prioritizing online-specific rates when a school offers them. Schools are evaluated using the following criteria:

Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Accreditation affects eligibility for federal financial aid and how employers and other schools view your degree.
Affordability and financial aid: We prioritize schools with low per-credit graduate tuition. We also favor schools that charge online students the same rate regardless of residency. We also look at whether schools accept FAFSA and offer institutional scholarships, grants, or assistantships.
Online availability: We include schools that offer at least one master’s degree that can be completed fully or primarily online. Programs with required in-person residencies are noted.
Student outcomes: Where data is available, we consider graduation rates, retention rates, and post-graduation earnings reported to the College Scorecard and NCES.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

FAQs About Free and Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in North Dakota

Paying for graduate school raises a lot of questions, especially as federal loan rules change. Here are answers to some common questions about earning an affordable master’s degree online in North Dakota.

How Much Does an Online Master’s Degree Cost in North Dakota?

Graduate tuition at the schools on our list ranges from about $350 to more than $900 per credit, depending on the school and program. Most master’s degrees require 30 to 36 credits. At Dickinson State University’s rate of $364.15 per credit, a 30-credit program would cost about $10,925 in tuition. Keep in mind that most schools also charge mandatory fees, and some charge course fees on top of tuition.

Do Online Students Pay Out-of-State Tuition in North Dakota?

Usually not. Many North Dakota universities charge online graduate students the same rate regardless of where they live. Dickinson State, Minot State, and Mayville State charge one graduate rate for all students. North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota use flat per-credit rates for their online programs. This makes North Dakota schools a strong option for out-of-state students.

Can I Still Use Federal Loans to Pay for an Online Master’s Degree?

Yes, but the rules changed on July 1, 2026. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal Grad PLUS loan program is closed to new borrowers. Graduate students can now borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a $100,000 lifetime limit for graduate borrowing. Students who borrowed under the old rules before July 1, 2026, may be able to continue under those rules for a limited time. Part-time students may also see reduced loan amounts. Because federal loans now cover less, scholarships, employer aid, and low-cost programs matter more than ever.

Can My Employer Help Pay for My Master’s Degree?

Many employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement programs. Under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code, employers can provide up to $5,250 per year in educational assistance tax-free. Some schools on our list also offer discounts to employees of partner organizations. For example, the University of Jamestown offers a 10% tuition discount for employees of its partner businesses in some programs. Check with your HR department to see what’s available.

The loan-limit details come from guidance stating that new graduate students starting after July 1, 2026, are limited to Direct Unsubsidized Loans with a $20,500 annual and $100,000 aggregate limit, while existing borrowers may continue under the old rules for up to three academic years or until they finish their program. The part-time note reflects guidance that, beginning July 1, 2026, new borrowers enrolled less than full-time will only be able to borrow a prorated amount.

Explore Affordable Online Master's Degrees

Find the perfect affordable master's degree by exploring the online options featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.