Best Free Online Education Degrees & Certificates 2025

If you're interested in becoming a teacher or pursuing a career in education, you need a degree. But college can be expensive, and you may wonder how to afford it. Do any accredited schools offer free online education degrees?

Many schools offer free or affordable distance education college courses and online degree programs, and various resources are available to help you cut costs even further. Various online learning opportunities can help you learn about being a teacher or help you improve your skills through certificate programs.

Read on to find out more.

Can You Get an Education Degree Online for Free?

You can get an education degree for free online. However, it's important to choose an accredited school. Accreditation will ensure your coursework meets basic educational standards and will be accepted by employers and education boards.

There are some legitimate tuition-free online colleges (such as the University of the People), but most schools have at least some tuition costs. That said, there are ways to attend nearly any school tuition-free.

Many community colleges provide tuition-free associate degrees for local students, enabling them to complete the first half of their education bachelor's degree. Some four-year colleges offer similar opportunities for in-state students or those meeting certain eligibility criteria.

Federal financial aid is another option. Students who demonstrate financial need may be awarded various grants or work-study opportunities to help them pay for school.

Finally, scholarships offered through your school a business, or a nonprofit organization provide another option. These are typically merit-based, so you must fulfill certain obligations to receive them. For example, you may need to submit high school transcripts or commit to studying full-time to qualify for these opportunities.

Studying at an affordable school and using the resources available can help you get your education degree at little or no out-of-pocket cost.

Can You Earn an Education Certificate Online for Free?

Various reputable sources offer free online courses and certificate programs. These courses are known as Massive Open Online Courses(MOOCs) provided by schools such as:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• State University of New York (SUNY)
• City University of New York (CUNY)

These courses are usually completed through third-party websites like edX and Coursera. Most are self-paced, but others may be instructor-led. While most don't lead to teaching credentials, they can help you learn more about the educational field and help you improve existing skills.

Top Affordable Online Education Degree Programs

Now that you know how to get an affordable online degree or certificate, look at some top universities offering low-cost education degrees. We'll also list some of the different degrees available at each school.

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a public school in Grand Forks, ND. The school offers an array of degrees ranging from liberal arts to artificial intelligence. Many online education degrees are available at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, including the following:

• teaching and leadership
• educational studies
• reading education
• higher education
• public health education

Though this accredited university doesn't offer free tuition, its online tuition rates are highly affordable, and various financial aid opportunities are available. Some students may even qualify for full-tuition scholarships covering in-state tuition rates and mandatory fees.

Central Washington University

Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA, and is known for supplying dozens of on-campus and online degrees and certificate programs. Students can enroll in a variety of bachelor's degrees and master's degrees related to education. Options include:

• physical education and school health
• teaching
• career and technical education
• technology education
• business and marketing education

Free tuition is unavailable, but lower-than-average costs make this school a great affordable option. Tuition for in-state students is affordable and various scholarships and financial aid opportunities can lower costs for all students regardless of residency.

Wayne State College

Wayne State College is a public school in Wayne, NE. This small school offers several online degrees. For those interested in education, several Master of Science in Education (MSE) degrees are available online, including the following:

• curriculum and instruction
• school administration
• special education

The school provides affordable tuition, various scholarship opportunities, and tuition benefits. Undergraduate students qualified for the Pell Grant can attend the school tuition-free, and other benefits are available to those with a military or first responder background.

Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, KS. Several online undergraduate and graduate degrees in education are available at this school. Options include:

• early childhood education
• elementary education
• secondary education

The school doesn't offer tuition-free education, but the tuition rates are some of the lowest in the nation. All online students pay the same rate regardless of residency.

Top Free Online Education Certificates

If you're interested in a more short-term program, online courses and certificates may be best for you. Let's discuss some good free or low-cost certificate programs you can complete online.

Arizona State University TESOL Professional Certificate

Arizona State University is located in Phoenix but provides many programs and other resources online. One of these is the TESOL Professional Certificate, which you can complete online on your schedule. The 150-hour program can be completed in a year or less. The program prepares you to teach English as a second language.

While the program does not offer free tuition, there are several ways to study tuition-free at this large public university if you are a resident of Arizona. In-state students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible to receive tuition assistance and waivers through several initiatives designed to make college accessible.

Class Central's Teaching Mathematics Certificate

The Teaching Mathematics course is offered by the Open University, a UK-based school and one of the world's leaders in online courses and educational opportunities. The course is available online through Class Central. This short-term program is completed in just 24 hours and is designed to help teachers improve their skills in teaching mathematics to children ages 8 to 14. The course can be completed on your schedule and leads to a certificate of completion.

Class Central's Learning to Teach Certificate

The Learning to Teach courses are also available from the Open University and are completed on Class Central. Four free online courses are completed and comprise the Learning to Teach certificate.

The courses focus on different aspects of how teachers learn to teach, giving students a better understanding of how to get started and succeed in the educational field. While some course material is specific to UK-based learners, the courses contain helpful material for American students.