No cost involved: Tuition-free universities in the US for master’s degrees

Pursuing a master’s degree is already an expensive decision, but if you choose to pursue that in the US, you might just break the bank.

As arguably one of the most expensive study abroad destinations in the world, the average cost of a master’s programme in the US goes up to US$59,684.

But what if we told you that there are tuition-free universities in the US that you can enrol in to avoid that financial burden?

As of 2024, the cost of a master’s degree in the US typically ranges between US$56,000 and US$75,000, depending on the school, the major, and the length of the programme. This does not include your living expenses, utilities, rent, and other expenses you will spend as an international student.

So if the idea of a free (or nearly free) master’s or micro master’s entices you, consider these tuition-free universities in the US that offer great postgraduate programmes:

6 tuition-free universities in the US for your master’s

1. University of the People

Founded in 2009 and accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, the University of the People (UoPeople) is the first non-profit, online tuition-free university in the US.

It offers three master’s degree programmes in Business Administration, Information Technology, and Education.

You only need to pay a one-off application fee of US$60 and up to US$400 as a course assessment fee. It will cost approximately US$4,860 to study for a Master of Business Administration or Master in Information Technology and US$4,610 for a Master of Education. The fees are never charged in advance or all at once. Students pay for their studies on a course-by-course basis at the end of each term.

 

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2. Curtis Institute of Music

The Curtis Institute of Music offers an unparalleled education alongside musical peers. It focuses on teaching through a “learning by doing” philosophy and personalised attention from a faculty of actively performing musicians.

Here, the two-year Master of Music programme provides students with comprehensive musical training covering composition, orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, organ, and opera.

Admission here is competitive — only 160 students attend the school at one time, and the institute has a 4% acceptance rate — but all for good reason: Curtis charges no tuition to its students, regardless of their financial situation. For the 2023-24 academic term, the annual value of this scholarship is US$65,536 for graduate students.

New York, the concrete jungle where dreams are made, is an expensive study abroad destination if you’re not well-prepared with your finances. Source: AFP

3. New York University

If you’ve ever dreamed of studying in New York City or had aspirations of joining the healthcare industry, you’re in luck. New York University’s (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine offers a Full-Tuition Scholarship to students enrolled in the MD degree programme.

Not only that, the school also covers the cost of health insurance coverage for all medical school students. In 2024, that expense is US$5,781, saving students an additional US$17,343 during the course of their medical education.

Of course, the catch is that students must maintain academic progress in accordance with NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Still, this generous scholarship allows students to focus their financial expenses on the cost of living in New York City — 2024’s #3 most expensive city in the world, based on Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index by City.

NYU estimates students to spend around US$35,000 a year on living expenses and miscellaneous educational expenses even after the Full Tuition Scholarship and Health Insurance Subsidy, so beware of that.

4. City University of New York

Another option in New York that students can opt for is City University of New York (CUNY), which consists of 11 senior colleges and seven community colleges, all of which are highly ranked for various good reasons.

For international students pursuing a full-time 12 or more billable credits/hours programme, courses cost from US$855 to US$1,100 per credit. The online programmes cost less, ranging from US$565 to US$1,040 per credit.

To keep things affordable, the university offers over 1,000 scholarships, awards, and special programme opportunities throughout CUNY and its 25 colleges and schools. Each college has a complete listing of all the scholarships and financial awards it offers. Plus, other governmental and private organisations provide scholarships and forms of financial aid too.

Many universities offer some form of financial aid for students — you just have to look for it. Source: AFP

5. Columbia University

Don’t let what you know of Ivy League universities’s tuition fees scare you away — Columbia University actually offers tuition-free online programmes for international students.

Through its partnership with edX, Columbia University has many online courses and micro masters, from Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Animation, Corporate Finance, and Robotics. The best part is that most of these programmes are available for free, though some can cost up to US$199. You can also choose to receive a verified certificate for a small fee at the end of the course. 

6. Princeton University

While Princeton University’s Graduate School does not provide central funding for master’s candidates, it offers full or partial funding opportunities for specific master’s degree programmes.

The School of Public and International Affairs will cover 100% of tuition and required fees for students pursuing their Master in Public Affairs Master in Public Policy. Assistantship (where graduate students are involved in classroom teaching, laboratory supervision and grading in undergraduate courses) is another way to fund your master’s at Princeton University.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on August 27, 2024.