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

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.

Several universities in Texas offer online graduate degrees with affordable tuition rates and large financial aid packages that bring out-of-pocket costs as low as possible, even if there aren't free master's degrees online. Learn more about these programs and strategies you can use to pay the least for your master's degree.

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

Students looking for a free master's degree online will need to consider financial assistance programs, as accredited colleges don't offer degrees free of charge. However, there are ways to reduce costs, and possibly have everything covered.

Students can use financial aid programs, like grants and scholarships, to reduce their costs without having to repay funds, but these amounts can only go so far. Schools like the University of the People (UoPeople), which is one of a small number of tuition-free online colleges, still have costs (e.g., examination fees). Even if you enroll in tuition-free online master's degree programs, you might still need to apply for some form of financial aid.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Although there is no free master's degree online program, there are several strategies you can take to find the most affordable online master's degrees programs. One of the best things about these strategies is that you can mix and match them to best suit your goals and maximize your savings.

• Submitting Your FAFSA each school year: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) needs to be submitted each year. This will help you qualify for federal programs like the Pell Grant. FAFSA results are also used by schools and states to determine financial need. Finding cheap online schools that accept FAFSA is one of the best ways to save money in college.
• Enrolling Full-time: Although it might not seem straightforward, many schools have lower tuition rates for full-time (generally nine hours for graduate degrees) enrollment compared to part-time enrollment. This also limits the financial burden to fewer total semesters.
• Pursue Private Scholarships: Search the internet for private scholarships from industry organizations or charitable groups. There are many scholarships available, including graduate-only scholarships.
• Look for Texas state or institutional financial aid: Federal aid and third-party scholarships are very common, but you can limit your search to state or institutional programs. These will have smaller applicant pools and can lead to higher payouts. Some states also have last-dollar and full-tuition scholarships for students from low-income families.
• Look into Your Employer's Tuition Reimbursement Policies: More companies are including tuition reimbursement in benefits packages, especially for degrees related to their services, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• Enlist in the Military: Active-duty military members and veterans receive tuition support, access to the GI bill, and other educational assistance.
• Enroll at a Public, In-state University: Public, in-state universities often have the lowest average tuition rates, and this includes their online offerings.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs in Texas

Learners in Texas can find low-cost online learning programs with a combination of low tuition fees and financial aid programs. These accredited universities offer low-cost graduate programs in popular fields such as business administration, information technology, and more.

1. Texas A&M International University

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is designed to provide advanced degree opportunities to international students. TAMIU primarily offers on-campus bachelor's degrees and graduate programs, but there are also 12 fully online master's degree programs, with many specialization options. Students can pursue criminal justice, healthcare administration, nursing, and more.

Average in-state tuition: $77

Average out-of-state tuition: $487

Financial aid: TAMIU accepts FAFSA results for federal aid. Students can use Fund$Finder to find all possible forms of financial aid available to them.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC}

2. The University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas at Tyler (UTT) offers 38 online master's degrees. Students can complete their asynchronous online courses at their own pace. Online learners can pursue degrees in public administration, human resources development, and criminal justice. The University of Texas at Tyler does offer in-person learning experiences for students in online programs looking to connect with classmates or faculty members.

Average in-state tuition: $103

Average out-of-state tuition: $947

Financial aid: The Patriot Promise program provides last-dollar tuition coverage to students with financial eligibility. UTTT learners can also qualify for federal grants and scholarships.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Texas A&M University - Central Texas

Texas A&M University - Central Texas (TAMUCT) offers nine different online master's degrees, including master of science, arts, and education degrees in subjects such as criminal justice, accounting, and mathematics. Many of these programs also come with additional concentration and emphasis choices for working professionals to choose a degree that perfectly aligns with their career goals.

Average in-state tuition: $297

Average out-of-state tuition: $715

Financial aid: TAMUCT has tuition exemptions, grants, and institutional scholarships to complement federal aid that students receive.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University (TAMU) has over 50 fully online master's degree programs available. Students can enroll in cybersecurity engineering, health education, and nonprofit management. These remote degree programs are offered through the individual campuses in the TAMU network, utilizing the same faculty as the on-campus versions.

Average in-state tuition: $550

Average out-of-state tuition: $550

Financial aid: Students can qualify for institutional scholarships and grants and federal aid. TAMU also offers emergency financial aid for students who have sudden and unexpected situations and need support.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Lamar University

There are 42 online master's degree and specialization options available through Lamar University (LU). These programs are available both in traditional and asynchronous formats. Some classes have accelerated five-week course options. Popular degrees available through LU include hospitality management, business analytics, and multiple Master of Education (MeD) programs.

Average in-state tuition: $359

Average out-of-state tuition: $764

Financial aid: Lamar University awards 2000 scholarships annually in addition to accepting FAFSA rewards.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has five campuses, but learners can also enroll in 32 fully online master's degree programs. Students can find degrees in applied statistics and data science, educational leadership, and public affairs. These programs are delivered with accelerated online courses, with many taking less than one year to complete.

Average in-state tuition: $450

Average out-of-state tuition: $450

Financial aid: UTRGV offers scholarships and financial aid specifically for graduate students and students in accelerated programs. The school also accepts FAFSA results, such as federal grants.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University (TTU) offers high-quality education with low tuition fees. There are 24 online programs for graduate students, including history, social work, and an MBA program. There are multiple pathways to save money. Students can transfer credits, use prior learning experiences, and qualify for financial aid programs to reduce total costs.

Average in-state tuition: $625

Average out-of-state tuition: $625

Financial aid: Students at TTU can submit their FAFSA for federal aid, and there are also institutional programs, such as grants and scholarships for graduate students.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University's (SHSU) online graduate degree programs include degrees in humanities & social sciences, education, and criminal justice. SHSU accepts transfer credits to help students complete more affordable pathways to their degree. Some of the online programs at SHSU require in-person experiences for hands-on learning, but this is limited to select programs, such as band studies or project management.

Average in-state tuition: $842

Average out-of-state tuition: $842

Financial aid: SHSU offers $500 graduate scholarships to students based on their degree program.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

Learn more about the affordable online master's degrees available in Texas and other states with our articles and school profiles. Once you've identified the program that fits your financial needs and academic goals, use our resources to contact your chosen school.