The most affordable online accredited college is University of the People, a completely online, tuition-free school offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs. But there are plenty of online colleges nationwide that cut costs for in- and out-of-state students.
We found colleges with at least five online programs that offer in- and out-of-state tuition below $10,000 before financial aid.
If you're looking to save even more money, you could qualify for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Most Affordable Online Schools with Tuition Under $10,000 Per Year
How We Chose These Schools
We chose colleges using federal data showing:
The college has at least five online degree options
The college has an annual tuition cost below $10,000 for in-state and out-of-state students
Unless otherwise noted, we calculated annual tuition by multiplying the cost-per-credit-hour by 30 (the typical number of credit hours needed per academic year to graduate in four years)
| School and Location | Annual In-State Tuition | Annual Out-of-State Tuition | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the People, Fully Online | $0 | $0 | Lowest-Cost Online College |
| Elizabeth City State University*, Elizabeth City, NC | $1,000 | $7,000 | Best for In-State Community College Transfers |
| Fayetteville State University*, Fayetteville, NC | $1,000 | $7,000 | Best for Military Students Seeking Affordability |
| Western Carolina University*, Cullowhee, NC | $1,000 | $7,000 | Hundreds of Institutional Scholarship Opportunities |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke*, Pembroke, NC | $1,000 | $7,000 | Generous Transfer Credit Policy |
| College of Coastal Georgia*, Brunswick, GA | $6,540 | $6,540 | Financial Resources for Student Parents |
| Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA | $4,770 | $4,770 | Best Online Resources and Community for the Price |
| Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM | $5,242.50 | $7,717.50 | Most Online Bachelor's Degree Options |
| God's Bible School and College, Cincinnati, OH | $8,850 | $8,850 | Affordable, Christian-Focused Online Degrees |
| Western Governors University*, Fully Online | $8,300 | $8,300 | Highly Affordable Self-Paced Online Programs |
| Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul, MN | $9,660 | $9,660 | Historically Serves Nontraditional Students |
| Weber State University Online (Independent Study), Ogden, UT | $9,480 | $9,480 | Flexible Start Dates |
| Great Basin College, Elko, NV | $4,087.50 | $6,135 | Low-Cost, Workforce-Focused Online Programs |
| Amberton University, Garland, TX | $9,750 | $9,750 | Pay-As-You-Go Online Programs |
| Chadron State College, Chadron, NE | $9,765 | $9,765 | Tuition-Free for In-State, Pell-Eligible Students |
| Charter Oak State College, New Britain, CT | $9,870 | $9,870 | Generous Credit for Prior Learning Policy |
*Calculated cost of two semesters instead of 30 credits
Cheapest Doesn't Always Mean Best Value
Affordability isn't the only factor to consider when looking for an online college. This ranking prioritizes affordability, meaning we looked only at tuition and narrowed it down to online schools with an annual price tag under $10,000 for everyone.
But there are other important metrics to consider in your college search, like graduation rates, postgraduate employment, flexibility options, and class sizes. All of these impact your college experience and your outcomes once you graduate.
How to Choose the Right Affordable Online College
Graduation rates and postgraduate employment indicate:
Quality of education
How many students persist through their studies
How many students develop the skills and a degree desirable to employers
Flexible scheduling options let you complete classwork at different times, with asynchronous classes best suited for working adults who can't adjust their work schedules.
Asynchronous classes allow you to complete class work and watch lectures at any point of the day before a due date
Synchronous classes require attendance at a certain time
Lastly, a small class size can bring you closer to the faculty and classmates you'll be working alongside.
If you're after a degree at an affordable price with a demonstrated track record of strong graduate outcomes, we ranked some affordable online colleges based on student outcomes, reputation, and social mobility.
Most Affordable vs Best Value: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's how our most affordable school, University of the People (UoPeople), and our best affordable school, Appalachian State University (App State), compare.
While UoPeople costs almost 10 times less than App State, the graduation rate is also slashed almost in half. You pay less in tuition, but a lower percentage of students graduate.
University of the People: Our Most Affordable School
$0 Yearly Tuition
$1,639 Avg. Net Price
79% Retention Rate
37% Graduation Rate
Appalachian State University: Our Best Affordable School
$26,512 Yearly Tuition
$14,712 Avg. Net Price
85% Retention Rate
73% Graduation Rate
We also have rankings for degree and career fields that factor in student outcomes. Check them out if you're interested:
How to Make an Affordable Online Degree Even Cheaper
You can make your affordable degree even cheaper by submitting the FAFSA to see what aid you qualify for, attending an in-state online college, and looking for scholarships that grant you aid for merit and financial need.
Complete the FAFSA
By completing the FAFSA, you'll be able to qualify for federal grants, scholarships, and loans for online college. The most common grant you may receive is the Pell Grant, which gives you up to $7,395 per academic year.
The only school on this list that does not accept the FAFSA is the University of the People, since they do not require tuition.
Attend an In-State School
Attending an in-state public school is often much cheaper than attending an out-of-state school. Some online colleges offer flat tuition rates for all students, but six on our list offer lower tuition for in-state students.
In-state tuition is often cheaper at public schools because state residents' tax dollars help fund them. Some states may also offer discounted or free tuition programs for residents with financial need.
Look for Scholarships
Scholarships for online college are harder to find, so we've gathered the best scholarships for online students and scholarships for adults and nontraditional students. If you're looking for more scholarships, you can check your college's office for financial aid, your community, and online.
Learn More About Scholarship Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions About the Most Affordable Online Colleges
The cheapest accredited online college is the University of the People, which charges no tuition to all students, with a net price of $1,639 per year after all fees. The university offers two certificate, three associate, four bachelor's, and three master's programs in fields such as business, computer science, and education.
