When searching for an affordable master of liberal arts online degree, consider the Regional Accreditation component. Regionally accredited online liberal arts programs ensure collegiate benefits, such as credit transfer options, tuition reimbursement programs, and participation in federal financial aid plans. These factors may change the course of academic progress as occupational needs increase, tuition prices rise and drop, and students discover a preference to diverse professional pathways. Liberal arts graduates represent a high variety of skills, knowledge, dedication, and technical ability applicable to a broad range of occupations. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, liberal arts careers are expected to grow anywhere between 5 to 15 percent through 2028. Regionally accredited master of liberal arts programs with a concentration in intelligence analysis could provide an average mid-career salary of $98,000 while a more traditional concentration in history could bring an average of $61,000 to successful graduates.
GetEducated has surveyed 43 master of liberal arts online programs from 27 regionally accredited schools to complete this “Best Buy” list for you. These rankings represent the most affordable options available to students throughout the US. Explore fully researched options and become an informed consumer before subscribing to the next chapter of your life.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$18,500
Least Expensive: University of North Carolina-Wilmington ~ $7,770.30
Most Expensive: Texas Christian University ~ $30,700.00
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest master of liberal arts online degrees. The online liberal arts degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2020 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
17 Most Affordable Master of Liberal Arts Online
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | (NC) | $7,770.30 $28,107.30 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $8,920.25 | All Students |
3 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | (NC) | $9,968.35 $18,410.74 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | Western New Mexico University | (NM) | $11,362.32 $13,707.72 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Jacksonville State University | (AL) | $12,000.00 | All Students |
6 | Southern Utah University | (UT) | $12,900.00 | All Students |
7 | Auburn University at Montgomery | (AL) | $13,938.00 $15,168.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | University of Oklahoma | (OK) | $14,439.15 $34,595.55 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | South Dakota State University | (SD) | $14,905.60 | All Students |
9 | University of South Dakota | (SD) | $14,905.60 | All Students |
11 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $15,314.00 | All Students |
12 | SUNY College at Brockport | (NY) | $15,484.00 $18,304.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | University of Maine | (ME) | $15,890.00 $19,280.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Stony Brook University | (NY) | $17,878.09 $20,980.09 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Kent State University | (OH) | $18,084.00 $33,363.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $18,411.00 $8,625.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
17 | University of Illinois at Springfield | (IL) | $18,442.30 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Regis University | (CO) | $19,130.00 | All Students | |
University of Toledo | (OH) | $20,281.32 $34,860.06 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Memphis | (TN) | $21,351.00 | All Students | |
University of Michigan-Flint | (MI) | $23,331.50 $33,718.25 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Thomas Edison State University | (NJ) | $24,346.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $28,190.00 | All Students | |
Rutgers University | (NJ) | $30,000.00 | All Students | |
 Johns Hopkins University | (MD) | $30,070.00 | All Students | |
Dallas Baptist University Master of Liberal Arts 14 | (TX) | $30,520.00 | All Students | |
Texas Christian University | (TX) | $30,700.00 | All Students |
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Accreditation Note: To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2020 review of regionally accredited master of liberal arts online degrees. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online master degree programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a master’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for liberal arts may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best master of liberal arts online for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Why Should You Get an Online Master’s in Liberal Arts?
A master’s in liberal arts or interdisciplinary studies can prepare you for a sweeping range of careers. Even more, though, it will develop skills that you can use in daily life regardless of your occupation.
A master’s degree in liberal arts teaches you how to think about deep, complex subjects. It helps you develop academic methods. This allows you to engage in debates and discussions on diverse topics. It will give you the mental tools required for original thought. Overall, it helps you live a life of ideas.
These skills can be useful for any job. Business leaders, teachers, writers, editors, entrepreneurs, and communicators of all types will benefit from a master’s in liberal arts or interdisciplinary studies.
Online Liberal Arts Master’s Degrees: The Program Types
These programs are diverse and flexible. They can encompass a vast range of topics.
They generally take about two years to complete. However, students in certain programs can complete a master’s degree in roughly a year. Each program is different, but most require 30 to 40 credit hours of study. The Master of Arts in Integrated Studies from Jacksonville State University, for example, requires 30 credits, while the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western New Mexico University requires 36 credit hours.
In this list of the top master of liberal arts online programs, you’ll find degrees that are “master of arts” and “master of liberal studies.” These titles basically describe the same type of degree; that is, a flexible education focused on the development of critical thinking skills.
However, some programs include “interdisciplinary studies” or “integrated studies.” These programs allow students to select courses from various disciplines to create a program that fits their needs and interests. While students are not fully free to select any courses (there is a format, which we describe below), this type of degree allows students to pursue multiple interests and create their own path.
Interdisciplinary or integrated studies are ideal for students interested in careers requiring skills from various disciplines. For example, if you are interested in a business career in Latin America, a master’s degree combining global business and Latin American culture would be useful.
Courses in an Online Liberal Arts Master’s Program
To best understand these degrees, it helps to examine some courses and subjects in the best master of liberal arts online programs. These degrees are diverse and can encompass different subjects, especially the interdisciplinary studies programs. However, they will generally combine research, writing, history, literature, and other liberal arts.
The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from University of North Carolina-Wilmington is a fine example of these degrees. (It also happens to be the most affordable.) This program includes two courses required for all students: “Contemporary Issues in Liberal Studies” and “Final Project in Liberal Studies.” The program requires at least 15 of 24 credit hours to be from the Graduate Liberal Studies list.
If taking an interdisciplinary studies master’s degree, students can combine courses from various departments. The University of Oklahoma offers a Master of Arts in Integrated Studies, which provides a good example. This program, which requires 33 credit hours, consists of four phases:
- The first is interdisciplinary studies, which creates a foundation for studying various subjects.
- The second phase is core integrative studies courses, which include literature and advanced cross-practice studies.
- The next phase allows you to select a track for your studies. Choose from topics like archaeoastronomy, interdisciplinary research methods, and diversity.
- Finally, is the program completion, which can either be a thesis paper or six additional credit hours of coursework.
Accreditation for Liberal Arts Master’s Programs
A system known as accreditation ensures consistent quality and a high level of education across schools and programs. This is a review of higher education institutions, as well as specific programs. It’s an important way for students and employers to know that a school is offering a useful degree.
There are two major forms of accreditation. The first is known as institutional accreditation. This review covers the entire school and ensures that programs are meeting a high level of academic excellence. This type of accreditation is offered by regional groups such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
The other form is programmatic, which covers specific programs within a school. For example, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) focuses on degrees that prepare teachers.
Accreditation is not only important for verifying a degree’s overall quality and consistency. It’s also important for financial aid, including loans and grants offered by the federal government. The U.S. government only offers aid to students attending accredited institutions, so students seeking support will need to enroll at accredited schools.
Admission Requirements for Online Liberal Arts Master’s Programs
A master’s degree is one of the highest levels of academic achievement. These degrees require advanced study. The programs are demanding, so a top master of liberal arts online program will only accept students with a quality academic background.
The most important requirement is a bachelor’s degree. To be considered, students need to first complete this key step. However, students also need to maintain a strong academic record, as many master’s programs have a minimum GPA requirement.
The exact GPA requirement will depend on the school and program, but usually students need at least 2.5-3.0 on a 4.0 scale. North Carolina-Wilmington, which offers a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, requires a “B” average for enrollment into the graduate program. This translates to a 3.0 on the grading scale. Other schools may have higher or lower requirements. Kent State-Online requires at least a 2.75 (about a B- average) for enrollment into their Master of Liberal Studies program.
When creating an application, students will need to submit a variety of documents, including official college transcripts, as well as reference letters. Letters should come from teachers, managers, or others who can speak to a student’s intelligence, work ethic, or academic track record.
Applicants may also need to submit a writing sample and a statement of purpose. This statement should describe how a student will use the education after graduation. It may include plans for the future, career goals, or thoughts on future studies.
Online Master’s in Liberal Arts Cost Analysis
There are plenty of affordable options, so students do not need to spend a massive amount on the best master of liberal arts online. While the price can go beyond $30,000, there are master’s programs that can be completed for less than $10,000.
The average cost for these top master of liberal arts online programs is $18,500. If students structure their education for completion in two years, they will need $9,250 per year.
Students can find programs that are even more affordable. The cheapest master of liberal arts online is the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, which only charges $7,770.30 to in-state students. Out-of-state students, however, need over $28,000 to complete this degree.
One of the best options for an affordable master of liberal arts online is the Master of Liberal Studies from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. The degree costs $8,920.25, and this price is available to all students, regardless of their residence.
The least-affordable master of liberal arts online comes from Texas Christian University, a private institution that charges $30,700 for its online Master of Liberal Arts degree. Most of the high-cost programs come from private schools such as Dallas Baptist and Johns Hopkins.
Licensing & Certification After a Liberal Arts Degree
Few professionals who complete a master of liberal arts degree will need a license or a certification. And, to be honest, there are too many potential careers to discuss licensing in any real detail.
The only obvious licensing need is for public high school teachers. Some graduates of the best master of liberal arts online programs go on to become teachers at public high schools. To work in this role, a teacher needs a state-mandated license. To secure the license, teachers must complete teaching-specific education. These licenses may not be required for those teaching in a private school.
Another common career is post-secondary teaching. This career only requires a license when the educator is preparing students for license-requiring careers. For example, teaching future nurses. For a college teacher in liberal arts, this is not the case.
Other graduates of an affordable master of liberal arts online program will likely not need a license. Writers and editors, as examples, do not need a license.
Liberal Arts Salary & Career Information
After completing a top master of liberal arts online program, students will have access to various careers. These careers bring a wide range of salaries and varying job stability.
College professors have a median salary of $79,640. However, most of the high salaries are for teaching large-demand, high-paying fields, such as engineering and law. College teachers in these fields have a median salary over $100,000. Teachers in fields similar to liberal arts, on the other hand, have lower salaries. For example, the median salary for a post-secondary teacher in philosophy is $77,610. Similarly, English and literature teachers can expect a median salary of $75,930.
Graduates working as teachers at the high school level can expect decent salaries, although the income will be lower than post-secondary teachers. The median income for these educators was $61,820. However, the top 10% earn over $100,000, so there is room for financial growth.
The job outlook for both of these professions is strong but not outstanding. High school teachers will grow by 5%, the same expected growth for all occupations. The growth for post-secondary teachers will fare better. This career is expected to grow by 12%, although the specific growth for certain areas will differ. College teachers in health specialties, for example, will grow by 24%, while teachers in mathematics will only grow by 6%.
Next Step in the Education for a Liberal Arts Scholar
After a master’s degree, students only have one remaining step on the academic ladder: a doctorate. This is the highest level of academic achievement, creating an expert in a liberal arts discipline.
While bachelor’s and master’s in liberal arts can be wide in scope, a doctorate usually takes a detailed look at a specific liberal arts subject, such as literature, philosophy, social sciences, or history.
A doctorate can open further career options, especially in research and teaching at major colleges and universities. Most college professors in liberal arts and other disciplines need a doctorate.