Best Value Online Master's Programs

Durant-based SOSU opened in 1909 to serve as a teacher training academy for the 12-county region. Today, the university continues to offer ongoing teacher education, with multiple online master's programs, complemented by business and leadership degrees.

Education students choose from degrees in school counseling, administration, educational leadership, special education, and educational technology. The MBA program features nine concentration areas. The aerospace logistics concentration draws on the school's aviation expertise. Other degrees include sports administration and Native American leadership. Online courses run asynchronously.

SOSU welcomes applicants with a bachelor's degree and a 2.75 GPA. Students with a minimum 2.0 GPA may apply with two years of work experience in their chosen field. SOSU accepts up to nine graduate transfer credits. Learners with a non-business academic background can use self-paced online leveling courses to prepare for graduate business courses. Online students pay a standard tuition rate, regardless of residency, with pay-as-you-go options.

Georgia's Augusta University leads the state in healthcare education, boasting Georgia's largest nursing college. Its online master's programs leverage the school's healthcare expertise with distance learning technology for online and hybrid learning opportunities. Students can also pursue degrees in public health, education, and business.

The school offers traditional enrollment options or a cohort-based MBA program. Students seeking a master's in education choose from degrees in curriculum and instruction, teacher leadership, and educational leadership. Some programs may require attending the Augusta campus or satellite campus in Athens, Albany, Rome, or Savannah.

Augusta University houses the Educational Innovation Institute, Georgia Cyber Center, and Georgia Prevention Institute, with the research institute supporting faculty and student research programs. The university serves about 9,000 students each year with undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.

UMGC specializes in serving online learners with its comprehensive programs. The school offers 19 online master's degrees with multiple specialization options. Faculty consult with experts in each field to design a rigorous and relevant curriculum in areas of biotechnology, information technology, management, and education.

Many graduate programs use a six-credit format that allows students to focus on one course each semester. No-cost digital materials replace expensive textbooks and feature each subject's most updated information. Online courses run asynchronously. Virtual classrooms encourage online collaboration and discussion among students and faculty.

Rolling admissions and multiple start dates each year allow students to begin classes at their convenience. Admission requirements vary by program, but learners should possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.

UMGC offers a monthly payment plan and accepts up to six transfer credits. Military students qualify for reduced tuition rates.

UF offers more than 80 online master's programs, including business, education, engineering, and agriculture. Admission requirements vary by program, but students typically need a 3.0 GPA in their bachelor's program and satisfactory scores on entrance exams such as the GRE or GMAT.

Online learners can pursue a veterinary forensic degree at the UF Center for Forensic Science. The sustainable design degree from the College of Design offers a low-residency degree combining elements of urban and regional planning, landscape architecture, and interior design. Mass communication students choose from eight concentrations in areas of political communication, social media, and audience analytics.

Out-of-state online students pay a reduced fee compared to on-campus tuition. Most master's programs require 30-36 credits. Some accelerated programs, such as the MBA, allow students to graduate in only one year.

ULM offers 26 online master's programs, including in gerontology, business, education, and psychology. Most degrees require 30-39 credits. The school also offers a hybrid occupational therapy degree, with some courses available at the Monroe campus.

Master's programs follow the school's semester calendar, with intensive sessions offered in the summer, winter, and late spring. Admission requires a bachelor's degree and at least a 2.75 GPA. MBA candidates also need GRE or GMAT scores. ULM accepts up to nine transfer credits for master's programs. Online students enjoy a set tuition rate, regardless of their residency status.

The Moodle online learning platform offers asynchronous class scheduling, with students participating in online discussions and projects. Faculty continue to develop open educational resources to mitigate the rising costs of textbooks. Online learners gain access to ULM's library resources, tech support, and professional development services.

Averett incorporates innovative technology into its online master's degrees. The private, Baptist-affiliated university in Danville, Virginia, first began offering online courses in 1995. The university maintains small class sizes and comprehensive student support.

Averett offers several fully online graduate degrees. Faculty bring their academic and industry experience to their classes, offering relevant coursework and real-world expertise. The accounting program aligns with the national certified public accountant certification exam. Business students can choose concentrations in marketing, leadership, or human resource management. The nursing school's emergency nurse practitioner program is one of only 13 in the nation.

Admission requirements vary by program. Averett does not require GRE or GMAT scores, and students do not need a minimum number of years of work experience before starting their master's work. Online programs include both traditional semester formats or accelerated class schedules with six-week terms.

CU Denver brings advanced healthcare training to nurses, pharmacists, and public health professionals. The public university leverages the interdisciplinary opportunities available at its Denver campus and the Anschutz Medical Campus to offer 12 nursing online graduate specialties, clinical pharmacy degrees, and business degrees with a healthcare emphasis. Students may also pursue degrees in education, civil engineering, and criminal justice.

CU Denver offered its first online class in 1996, providing flexible course delivery with asynchronous scheduling. Learners can access around-the-clock research assistance from a librarian. Enrollment navigators assist students during the admissions process and help connect them to the services throughout their academic journey.

Admission requirements vary by program. Nursing students need a minimum 3.0 GPA in nursing and an active registered nurse license. Other programs welcome students with diverse academic backgrounds. Online students pay the same tuition regardless of their state of residency.

UTRGV, established in 2013, offers discounted online tuition with no out-of-state fees for its online master's programs. The public research university and school of medicine offer innovative and interdisciplinary degree options in business, education, social work, and physician assistant.

The school offers both traditional 16-week semester programs and accelerated seven-week term options. Students need not visit the campus, though learners may need to make use of exam proctoring. Many programs offer specializations and concentrations that allow learners to tailor their education to their career goals, including seven business concentrations. Admission requirements vary by program.

UTRGV promotes online teaching excellence. The school's Center for Online Learning and Teaching provides faculty training to use online learning tools. They also assist in course design. The annual Excellence in Online Learning Conference recognizes innovation in online instruction. The Brownsville and Edinburg campus teams staff a student help desk to assist with technical issues.

Students can choose from business, counseling, and theology online master's programs at Amridge -- a private, Christian university in Montgomery, Alabama. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, but the school does not require entrance exams.

The master's curriculum blends relevant, career-focused training with Christian principles. Business degrees include an MBA program or a master's in leadership and management. Counseling programs include professional counseling, marriage and family counseling, and human services. The School of Theology offers a master of divinity in ministry, Christian education, leadership, and biblical studies. Courses feature flexible scheduling. Counseling students must complete face-to-face clinical experiences near their homes.

Amridge pioneered online distance education in 1993. The school served as a pilot institution for the U.S. Department of Education, helping demonstrate the effectiveness of online learning. Students can access a library catalog and resources remotely. Other services include career services and academic advising. The school also streams weekly chapel services.

Founded in 1922 in Troy, Michigan, Walsh continues to offer business-focused degree options on campus and online. Faculty blend real-world experience with academic credentials. Learners can choose from seven online master's degrees.

Walsh examines applicants' academic and professional background. The school does not require the GMAT. Students can apply year-round and begin working on their degrees at their convenience.

The college offered its first online course in 1998. Today, Walsh's learning team helps faculty create interactive and engaging courses using custom tools. An 88-point quality checklist ensures every class meets rigorous criteria for course delivery.

Learners choose from degrees in business administration, finance, management, or organizational leadership. Dual-degree options include an MBA and management degree or MBA and information technology leadership degree. Some programs require just 15 months to complete. Graduates enjoy lifetime access to the school's career services, including interview and resume preparation and job listings.

Situated in Rolla, Missouri S&T focuses on engineering, business, science, math education, research, and outreach. Degree-seekers can explore 18 online master's degrees, including non-thesis options in engineering disciplines.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field of study and a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must also submit GRE scores. The Canvas platform offers convenient, asynchronous course access, with tools to facilitate class discussion and interaction. Some programs require lab sessions, which students can complete on campus during visits that last 3-7 days. Online degree-seekers gain access to the school's library resources and numerous research tools.

Missouri S&T is a leader in engineering research, with materials, rock mechanics, explosives, and energy research centers located on campus. More than 1,600 students participate in faculty-led research efforts. Other centers at the school include high-performance computing, biomedical research, and intelligent infrastructure.

Louisiana Tech serves about 12,000 students and emphasizes technology and engineering. The school's six online master's programs include engineering and technology management, industrial engineering, and health informatics. Louisiana Tech also offers online graduate degrees in business, history, and English.

The school houses research facilities in the fields of micromanufacturing, biomedical engineering, information assurance, and trenchless technology for infrastructure. Online students do not pay out-of-state tuition, regardless of their place of residence. However, Louisiana Tech charges an online learning fee.

Admission varies according to the program. Engineering applicants should meet prerequisite requirements with a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field. Some programs also require professional experience. The MBA does not require entrance exam scores.

Online courses run asynchronously. Faculty use recorded lectures, class discussions, and hands-on tasks to ensure that students gain mastery of concepts and principles. Many programs require learners to take proctored exams at approved facilities.

LU, part of the Texas State University System, offers a variety of online master's programs, including the nation's only graduate degree in port and terminal management. The interdisciplinary program draws on business and engineering school faculty with the cooperation of the Center for Advances in Port Management.

Other online graduate degrees include counseling, education, business, engineering, and nursing. Many programs offer specializations, such as a criminal justice focus for an MBA or a concentration in digital learning for an education master's degree.

Most degrees require 30-36 credits. The online programs offer five-week, eight-week, and 15-week terms. Courses run asynchronously and feature interactive tools and course delivery methods.

Founded in 1923 in Beaumont, Texas, LU has earned designation as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Foundation. The school is part of the Texas Space Grant Consortium. Enrollment tops 15,000 students each year.

The Extended Campus at OU serves students in Norman and around the globe with online master's degrees. The Extended Campus offers six fully online and four hybrid graduate degrees in education, business, human relations, and criminal justice. Admission requirements vary by program. OU requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA.

While students need not visit the Norman campus, online programs allow learners to take some classes in person. Online classes feature asynchronous scheduling. Faculty members incorporate interactive assignments that spur discussion and connection among classmates. The school follows a 16-week semester format. Students who take two courses each semester and one class during the summer typically graduate in about two years.

MSU offers 22 fully online master's degrees in several areas, including business, education, information technology, nursing, and criminal justice. The unique master's in teaching blind or low-vision students prepares degree-seekers to create optimal learning environments for vision-impaired learners.

Most online master's degrees require 2-3 years to complete. The Blackboard learning management system provides flexible course options. Many online learners take asynchronous classes, completing courses around family and work commitments. Part-time programs allow students to continue their education while still working.

Admission requirements vary by program. Some require entrance exams, such as the GRE or GMAT. Online students enjoy standard tuition rates regardless of their state of residency.

As the flagship university of the Missouri State University system, MSU serves more than 23,000 students. The school offers virtual research assistance, one-on-one virtual tutoring, and an online writing lab.