17 US universities where you can get a master’s degree for free or almost free (2026)

Pursuing a master’s degree is already an expensive decision, but doing it in the US makes it even harder to justify.

The average cost hits US$71,140 as of 2026 — before living expenses, rent, and utilities. Meanwhile, master’s degree borrowers in 2025 owe an average of US$81,870 in total debt, with graduate school alone making up US$64,440 of that. 

The climate for international students isn’t helping either. New international graduate student enrollment fell 15% in 2024–25, with a further 12% drop in fall 2025 — the largest single-year decline in over a decade outside the pandemic — driven by visa challenges and immigration uncertainty. 

But if you’re still set on a US master’s, some universities make it far more financially manageable — a few even offer it for free. 

TL;DR? Here is a quick summary of what we’ll cover:

• There are seven US universities that offer tuition-free master’s degrees. 
• Another 10 universities offer scholarships ranging from partial tuition discounts to full funding, covering tuition, living stipends, and health insurance 
• This article lists 17 US universities where you can get a master’s degree for free or almost free 

5 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.

Specifically, undergraduate course have an assessment fee of US$160. It’s US$400 for M.Ed., and US$450 for MBA/MSIT.

The total approximate costs to earn a degree at UoPeople are:

• Associate Degree: $3,260
• Bachelor’s Degree: $6,460
• M.Ed.: $5,260
• MBA: $5,460
• MSIT: $5,460
• Certificate in Game Design: $1,980

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 2026-27 school year, the annual value of this scholarship is $55,995 for undergraduate students and $69,527 for graduate students.

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, but 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 — 2026’s #7 most expensive city in the world, based on Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index by City.

NYU estimates students 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. Columbia University

Don’t let what you know of Ivy League universities’ 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.

5. High Point University

High Point University offered its first tuition-free graduate programme, the Master of Arts in Communication and Business Leadership, in 2020 to help those whose senior year was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then, they have expanded their tuition-free graduate school programme. They now offer 10 tuition-free master’s degree programmes that incoming freshmen can apply to:

• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics
• Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management
• Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management
• Master of Arts in Communication and Business Leadership
• Master of Education in Elementary Education
• Master of Education in Special Education
• Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
• Master of Science in Athletic Training
• Master of Healthcare Administration

To be eligible for a tuition-free master’s degree (US$40,000 to US$80,000 in value), you must have completed your undergraduate studies at the university and live on campus.

For those who wish to pursue their master’s online, you have the option to pay 50% of your tuition (US$20,000 to US$40,000 in value) and complete your degree.

6. Belhaven University 

Belhaven University, based in Jackson, Mississippi, is the only university in the country to give traditional-campus students full-tuition scholarships for an online master’s degree — worth up to US$25,000.  

International students studying under an F-1 visa are also eligible, provided they complete their coursework while living or working outside of the US. 

Degree options include Business, Education, Data Science, Leadership, Public Administration, Healthcare, Sports Administration, and Biblical Studies. The scholarship covers 30 to 36 credit hours depending on the programme, and must be completed within 36 months of initial enrolment. You’ll only be responsible for fees and books. 

7. WorldQuant University 

WorldQuant University (WQU) is an accredited not-for-profit institution that offers entirely free online programmes in financial engineering and data science. 

Its flagship programme, the MSc in Financial Engineering (MScFE), is completely free for all students accepted into the programme — built on the belief that talent is global, but opportunity is not.  

The two-year programme consists of nine graduate-level courses and a Capstone course, delivered entirely online one course at a time. The curriculum integrates mathematical, statistical, and computer science tools with finance theory and professional business skills. Upon completion, you can get into roles such as quantitative analysts in securities, banking, financial management, consultancies, and insurance companies.  

Admission is open to all qualified applicants globally. If your native language is not English, you’ll be required to submit English proficiency test scores — the only cost you’ll have to pay. 

7 US universities with scholarships for international master’s students

1. City University of New York

Another option in New York that students can opt for is the 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.

2. 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.

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3. Brown University

Brown University, ranked #69 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, is a nonprofit research university in Providence known for putting students first.

It values open conversations from diverse perspectives, creating a welcoming and inclusive campus.

The university makes education accessible with financial aid policies that help talented students from all backgrounds too.

Graduate students benefit from financial support like scholarships, stipends, and tuition assistance.

Meanwhile, programmes like the Urban Education Fellowship (UEF) annually offer full tuition to 10 graduate students who complete a Master’s of Arts in Teaching (MAT) or a Master’s in Urban Education Policy (UEP).

In return, these graduates must serve in Providence-area schools or related public sector education organisations for a minimum of three years after graduation.

4. University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame’s Graduate School is located in Notre Dame, Indiana. It is home to more than 2,200 students pursuing advanced degrees in engineering, humanities, sciences, and social sciences.

The university understands the importance of financial support, offering three key funding options: tuition scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships.

On top of these, the Office of Grants and Fellowships helps students apply for external and internal awards.

Nearly 100% of doctoral students enjoy full-tuition scholarships, covering everything except a small student activity fee.

As a reference, for the 2026–2027 academic year, tuition is $69,510, including Health and Technology fees.

5. Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University in Tennessee offers some of the most respected engineering degrees out there, ranking at #39 in the US News & World Report’s 2026 Best Engineering Schools list. It’s also known to offer excellent graduate programs in education, nursing, law, and more.

In 2023, Vanderbilt ranked first in financial aid by The Princeton Review and 13th in the 2023 US News Rankings. The university also states that it will meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated financial need.

In addition to scholarships, the Graduate School provides internal funding opportunities such as travel and research grants, interdisciplinary research support, and more. 

One example is the MS in Data Science programme. In support of gender equity, the programme collaborates with Women of Technology in Tennessee (WiTT) to offer a full-tuition scholarship to one female WiTT member.

6. Stanford University

At Stanford University, you have access to several funding opportunities when pursuing a master’s, especially through the Knight-Hennessy Scholars programme. This programme supports up to three years of graduate study and provides a comprehensive package that includes a fellowship covering tuition and fees, a living stipend, and even travel support for one round-trip per year.

The funding also includes a relocation allowance when you first arrive on campus, as well as the opportunity to apply for supplemental grants in your second and third year.

As an international student, you can also be eligible for assistantships, both teaching and research, which many departments use to offer financial support.

In the Stanford Graduate School of Education, for example, you could receive a Dean’s Fellowship that is automatically considered during admission. This fellowship does not require any service in return.

Some master’s programmes, such as those in policy or international affairs, offer merit-based fellowships that cover full or partial tuition, a stipend, and health-insurance subsidy.

7. Columbia University

At Columbia University, funding for international master’s students varies significantly based on the programme.

When you apply to Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), you will automatically be considered for several scholarships, which are awarded based on both merit and financial need.

These SIPA scholarships, which are offered to all applicants regardless of citizenship, are renewable for a second year if you maintain strong academic performance.

Columbia, in partnership with the London School of Economics, also offers the Tuition Reduction Fellowships (TRF) to more than half of incoming students, with awards covering up to 75% of first-year tuition.

8. University of New Haven

Founded in 1920, the University of New Haven is a private research university in West Haven, Connecticut, sitting between New York City and Boston — giving you access to strong internship and career networks in both cities. 

For international master’s students, the university offers two competitive funding options. The Provost’s Assistantship is awarded to the highest-achieving incoming graduate students, who work up to 15–20 hours per week for an academic department in either a research or teaching capacity. In return, you’ll receive 75% tuition assistance plus an hourly wage for the duration of your graduate programme.  

The Dean’s Scholarship, awarded purely on academic merit, provides up to 50% tuition assistance. Both domestic and international master’s students are eligible for either award — no separate scholarship application is required, as all students are automatically considered when they complete their admissions application by the relevant deadline. 

9. Brandeis University 

Brandeis University is a private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts, founded in 1948 and known for its strong programmes in the arts and sciences, international business, and social policy. 

Many of Brandeis’s master’s programmes offer merit scholarships that are awarded at the time of admission, with no separate application required. These awards are open to both international students and US citizens, and typically partially cover tuition.  

Need-based scholarships are also available for international master’s students. After receiving an offer of admission to an eligible programme, international applicants are directed to submit the CSS Profile to apply for need-based aid. Additionally, all Brandeis graduate and undergraduate alumni are automatically eligible for a 25% tuition discount on Brandeis International Business School courses and master’s programmes. 

 10. Central Michigan University 

Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, offering over 200 programmes across business, engineering, health sciences, and education. 

For qualifying international graduate students, CMU’s Out-of-State Tuition Merit Award reduces tuition to the domestic rate — a significant saving, given that international master’s tuition and fees for 2025–2026 are estimated at US$18,972 per year. To be eligible, you’ll need a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, along with a GRE verbal score of at least 157 and a quantitative score of at least 152, or a GMAT score of at least 600.  

Beyond this, academic departments offer graduate research, teaching, and administrative assistantships that include tuition waivers and stipends. Both full-time and part-time assistantships are also available.

At a glance: 17 tuition-free universities in the US:

University	Type	Aid provided
University of the People	Tuition-free	Only pay a $60 application fee and up to US$450 in course assessment fees per course
Curtis Institute of Music	Tuition-free	Full tuition for all students — US$55,995/year (undergrad) or US$69,527/year (grad) for 2026–27
New York University (Grossman School of Medicine)	Tuition-free	Full tuition for MD students + health insurance coverage (US$5,781/year)
Columbia University (via edX)	Tuition-free	Free online courses and MicroMasters; some programmes up to US$199; verified certificates available for a fee
High Point University	Tuition-free	10 tuition-free master’s programmes for undergrad alumni living on campus; online option at 50% tuition
Belhaven University	Tuition-free	Full tuition (up to US$25,000)
WorldQuant University	Tuition-free	100% free (MScFE only)
City University of New York (CUNY)	Scholarship	Over 1,000 scholarships, awards, and special programme opportunities across 25 colleges
Princeton University	Scholarship	100% tuition and fees for Master in Public Affairs/Public Policy; assistantship opportunities for other programmes
Brown University	Scholarship	Scholarships, stipends, and tuition assistance; Urban Education Fellowship offers full tuition to 10 graduate students annually
University of Notre Dame	Scholarship	Tuition scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships; 100% of doctoral students receive full-tuition scholarships
Vanderbilt University	Scholarship	Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need; internal grants available; full-tuition scholarship for MS in Data Science
Stanford University	Scholarship	Knight-Hennessy Scholars programme covers tuition, fees, living stipend, and travel; teaching/research assistantships; Dean’s Fellowships and merit-based fellowships in some programmes
Columbia University (SIPA)	Scholarship	SIPA scholarships (merit + need, renewable); Tuition Reduction Fellowships covering up to 75% of first-year tuition for 50%+ of incoming students
University of New Haven	Scholarship	Provost’s Assistantship: 75% tuition + hourly wage; Dean’s Scholarship: up to 50% tuition
Brandeis University	Scholarship	Partial merit + need-based scholarships; 25% tuition discount for alumni
Central Michigan University	Scholarship	Out-of-State Tuition Merit Award reduces to domestic rates; graduate assistantships with tuition waivers and stipends.

Tuition-free universities in the US: Who can apply?

University	Eligibility to receive tuition-free study/funding
University of the People	Tuition is always free; students only pay application and course assessment fees.
Curtis Institute of Music	All admitted students automatically receive a full-tuition scholarship regardless of financial need or nationality.
New York University (Grossman School of Medicine)	Must be admitted to the MD programme and maintain satisfactory academic progress. All MD students receive the full-tuition scholarship.
Columbia University (edX)	Most courses can be audited for free; verified certificates require payment.
High Point University	Must complete an undergraduate degree at the university, enrol in an eligible master’s programme, and live on campus. Online students receive a 50% tuition discount instead.
Belhaven University	Available to eligible students enrolled in qualifying online master’s programmes. International students on F-1 visas qualify if studying while living or working outside the US.
WorldQuant University	Open to qualified applicants globally who meet the admission requirements. English proficiency is required if English is not the applicant’s native language.
City University of New York (CUNY)	Eligibility depends on the specific scholarship. Most require admission to a CUNY graduate programme and may consider academic merit, financial need, field of study, or campus.
Princeton University	Full tuition for the Master in Public Affairs and Master in Public Policy is available to admitted students. Other graduate funding depends on assistantships or programme-specific support.
Brown University	Most awards require admission to an eligible graduate programme and are based on merit, financial need, or programme selection.
University of Notre Dame	Most doctoral students automatically receive full tuition funding upon admission. Master’s funding depends on assistantships, fellowships, or departmental awards.
Vanderbilt University	Students must qualify through demonstrated financial need, merit scholarships, assistantships, or programme-specific awards such as the MS in Data Science scholarship.
Stanford University	Students must be selected for funding programmes such as Knight-Hennessy Scholars, departmental fellowships, or teaching/research assistantships. Eligibility varies by programme.
Columbia University (SIPA)	Tuition Reduction Fellowships and scholarships are awarded based on merit, financial need, and programme criteria.
University of New Haven	Must be admitted to an eligible graduate programme and be selected for awards such as the Provost’s Assistantship or Dean’s Scholarship.
Brandeis University	Must be admitted to an eligible graduate programme. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or alumni status.
Central Michigan University	Graduate students may qualify through assistantships, tuition waivers, or the Out-of-State Tuition Merit Award, depending on academic qualifications and programme requirements.

Frequently asked questions 

Can international students get a tuition-free master’s degree in the US, or are these programmes only for US citizens? 

Yes. Several programmes on this list are open to international students — University of People, Curtis Institute, WorldQuant University, and Belhaven (for students studying outside the US) among them. That said, some programmes like High Point University require you to have completed your undergraduate degree at the same institution, which limits access to most international applicants. 

Tuition-free university vs fully funded scholarship — which saves more? 

It depends on what’s covered. A tuition-free programme eliminates tuition but rarely covers living costs, which in cities like New York can be expensive. A fully funded scholarship at a school like Stanford’s Knight-Hennessy covers tuition, fees, a living stipend, and travel — making it more comprehensive in total value. 

Are online tuition-free US master’s degrees taken seriously by employers? 

Yes. Accreditation is what matters most. University of People and WorldQuant University are both accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognised by the US Department of Education. Better yet, research how your target employers in your specific field view the credential before enroling.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on July 31, 2026.