# Cheapest Online Master's Programs

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 10 | Category: Online Masters
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/cheapest-online-masters

## Methodology

Online master's programs ranked by lowest net price

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Finding an affordable online master's program can be a daunting task, especially with rising education costs. The schools on this list have one thing in common: they offer some of the lowest net prices for their online master's degrees, making them appealing options for budget-conscious students.

While cost is crucial, it’s essential to consider what else these programs provide. Graduation rates, average earnings post-graduation, and debt levels also tell a significant part of the story. The schools ranked here not only offer low tuition but also varying outcomes that can impact a student’s future career and financial situation.

Take the University of Florida-Online, for example. With a net price of just $4,815 and an impressive graduation rate of 81%, it stands out among its peers. In contrast, the University of Arkansas Grantham, while still affordable at a net price of $8,370, has a much lower graduation rate of 32%. Such differences highlight the importance of weighing both cost and outcomes when making this critical decision.

## Key Findings

- University of Florida-Online graduates earn an average of $71,588, the highest on this list.
- Graduation rates vary significantly; the highest is 81% at the University of Florida-Online, while the lowest is 21% at Bryant & Stratton College-Online.
- The average net price across these programs is $10,000, making them accessible options for many students.
- University of Arkansas Grantham has the highest debt level on this list, averaging $21,956.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Florida-Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida-online) | Gainesville, FL | 81% | $71,588 | $4,815 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 2 | [University of Arkansas Grantham](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas-grantham) | LIttle Rock, AR | 32% | $63,496 | $8,370 | $21,956 | 0.35x |
| 3 | [University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-hampshire-college-of-professional-studies-online) | Manchester, NH | 22% | $66,479 | $10,864 | $26,814 | 0.4x |
| 4 | [Western Governors University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-governors-university) | Salt Lake City, UT | 48% | $60,615 | $12,548 | $11,116 | 0.18x |
| 5 | [Bryant & Stratton College-Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bryant-stratton-college-online) | Orchard Park, NY | 21% | $32,568 | $15,187 | $21,549 | 0.66x |
| 6 | [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-worldwide) | Daytona Beach, FL | 21% | $84,131 | $18,725 | $23,666 | 0.28x |
| 7 | [Touro University Worldwide](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/touro-university-worldwide) | Los Alamitos, CA | 36% | $40,803 | $19,058 | $25,000 | 0.61x |
| 8 | [University of Maryland Global Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-global-campus) | Adelphi, MD | 31% | $65,287 | $22,063 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 9 | [Los Angeles Pacific University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/los-angeles-pacific-university) | San Dimas, CA | 29% | N/A | $22,677 | $18,750 | N/A |
| 10 | [Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-university-center-for-online-and-extended-education) | Kirkland, WA | 40% | $54,914 | $35,671 | $20,891 | 0.38x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Cheapest Online Master's Programs." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/cheapest-online-masters

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.