If you have a career in the sciences, such as geology, chemistry, or physics, then it may be time to boost your career options and potential earnings with one of the cheapest online science master’s programs.
With these advanced degrees, you’ll gain expert knowledge in your discipline. This expertise can lead to some of the most exciting opportunities in science, including groundbreaking research and innovations. A master’s degree will set you apart from the workforce, while allowing you to advance into leadership roles.
Above all, these degrees allow you to make major contributions to science. Perhaps you will make the next breakthrough in health, the environment, or our understanding of the universe. With one of these online science master’s programs, it just may be possible! These degrees come with a wide range of prices, allowing you to study with a cost that fits your budget.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$28,900
Least Expensive In-State: University of North Carolina-Wilmington ~$11,151
Least Expensive Out-of-state: Ohio University ~$15,930
Want to become an expert in science? Then keep reading to learn about the most affordable master’s degrees in science, geology, physics, and more!
15 Cheapest Online Science Master’s Degrees
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | (NC) | $11,151.00 $41,503.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Ohio University | (OH) | $15,360.00 $15,930.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Texas A & M University - Commerce | (TX) | $16,176.00 $30,864.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | University of Southern Mississippi | (MS) | $16,654.00 | All Students |
5 | Marshall University | (WV) | $17,306.00 | All Students |
6 | Texas A & M University | (TX) | $17,368.00 $36,862.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | (NC) | $17,705.00 $53,215.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | University of Idaho | (ID) | $18,630.00 | All Students |
9 | Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $18,895.00 | All Students |
10 | University of Kansas | (KS) | $19,260.00 | All Students |
11 | Unity Environmental University | (ME) | $19,600.00 $17,650.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
12 | Mississippi State University | (MS) | $20,232.00 | All Students |
13 | Liberty University | (VA) | $21,636.00 $11,196.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
14 | University of Saint Joseph | (CT) | $26,850.00 | All Students |
15 | University of North Dakota | (ND) | $28,206.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Washington | (WA) | $30,896.00 | All Students | |
Everglades University | (FL) | $36,645.00 | All Students | |
University of Arizona | (AZ) | $42,560.00 | All Students | |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute | (MA) | $48,300.00 | All Students | |
Johns Hopkins University | (MD) | $55,800.00 | All Students | |
Illinois Institute of Technology | (IL) | $56,284.00 | All Students | |
Columbia University in the City of New York | (NY) | $77,915.00 | All Students |
Methodology
These rankings of online master’s in geography programs are based on our fall 2023 review of degrees. In order to calculate the total cost, we use a variety of factors including minimum required credit hours, tuition rates, and general fees. At the time of collection, the information was valid and specific to the individual program. Profiles for the same degrees found in the directory on our site may, on occasion, reflect a different cost based on editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated total price for the entire degree, but actual costs will vary by student. For example, if you have transfer credits, then your cost may be lower. Prerequisite courses, textbook fees, licensing requirements, financial aid, and numerous other factors can impact the price of an affordable online science master’s degree.
We strive to create the most honest, accurate ranking system possible. Therefore, we do not accept payments from schools to be included or removed from our rankings. The rankings are open to any regionally-accredited public or nonprofit college or university that offers an online science degree. We do not include degrees from non-accredited, nationally-accredited, or for-profit schools in our rankings. We also exclude from our rankings degrees that are available less than 80% online and those that are only available to students in five states or fewer.
Program Note: In order to qualify for a ranking, the master’s in science online must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
Why the Cheapest Online Science Master’s Degrees Are a Solid Investment
Choosing a master’s in science online is a personal decision, but these are the main reasons people choose these engaging and challenging programs:
- Salary: Earnings depend on many factors, including your skills, experience, and also the specific career. However, numerous science-based occupations have high salaries. Geographers, for example, have a median salary of $88,900, while material scientists have a median of $104,380.
- Advance your career: Many of the careers related to science require a bachelor’s degree, but there are still advantages to a master’s. With an advanced degree, you can increase your earning potential and also move into leadership roles. As the BLS says when discussing geographers, “some jobs require a master’s or doctoral degree.”
- A fascinating field: The sciences provide the chance to work in some of the most interesting fields out there. With a master’s degree, you can be at the forefront of your profession.
Program Cost for a Master’s in Science and Geography
Earning a master’s degree can lead to a lifetime of higher earnings as well as greater job security. But it requires a large commitment of time, energy, and money. With this database you’ll have the information you need in order to make a better choice for your education.
The average price for these online science master’s programs is $28,900. This may seem like a large number, but most of these programs are completed in about two or three years, meaning students typically pay $9,600 to $14,500 annually in order to complete their degrees.
If the average price is too expensive, there are plenty of more affordable online science master’s programs. This database, which consists of 28 degrees, includes 20 programs estimated below the average. (The average is weighted by a handful of high-cost degrees.)
There are 13 degrees priced below $20,000, and six priced below $17,000, so applicants should have little trouble finding a program that meets their budgetary needs.
The cheapest online science master’s degree comes from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, which offers a Master of Science in Chemistry. This program has an estimated in-state cost of $11,151. Out-of-state students, however, have an estimated cost of $41,503, a difference of over $30,000.
Often, the most affordable choice is a public school within your state. However, there are a few programs that offer a cheap online science master’s degree to students from any location. Ohio University, for instance, offers two master of science degrees, one in chemistry and the other in geological sciences. Out-of-state students only pay $15,930 for the program.
Degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and Marshall University are available to non-resident students for prices below $17,500 as well.
Who Offers the Cheapest Online Science Master’s Programs?
Numerous schools offer an affordable online science master’s degree, but three programs in particular stand out with exceptionally low prices. Two of these schools offer multiple degrees for roughly $8,000 a year, while one offers the lowest price to students in North Carolina.
#1. University of North Carolina-Wilmington
- Degree: Master of Science in Chemistry
- Cost: $11,151 (In-state, North Carolina)
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Graduates of this program are ready to work in high-paying, high-demand industries, including the pharmaceutical, material science, education, and healthcare sectors. Subjects covered in this degree include organic chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical analysis. Students complete experiments, use analytical analysis, and collect data in order to become well-developed chemistry experts.
Depending on where you live, this is either a high-cost school or the most affordable online science master’s degree available. The estimated in-state cost for this program is below $12,000, making it a clear winner as the cheapest online science master’s degree in this database. However, out-of-state students pay over $41,000, making it one of the most expensive for out-of-state students.
The University of North Carolina-Wilmington (UNCW) offers a variety of online degrees delivered completely online. Online courses receive the same accreditation enjoyed by on-campus degrees, taught by the same experienced and dedicated faculty. The coursework is convenient and flexible, as well as extremely affordable for North Carolina residents.
#2. Ohio University
- Degrees: Master of Science in Chemistry, Master of Science in Geological Sciences
- Cost: $15,360 (In-state, Ohio)
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Science-based employees looking to enhance their knowledge of chemistry or geology will be well served by Ohio University. These online programs require 30 credit hours of study with no thesis as well as no GRE requirements. Offered in seven-week blocks, courses are designed for working professionals, parents, and also current science teachers who need a boost in their skills.
In-state tuition for these programs is only $15,360, making them the second-most affordable online science master’s degrees. Out-of-state tuition is also affordable, coming in at only $15,930. Comparatively, this price makes it the cheapest online science master’s degree for students outside of North Carolina.
#3. Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Degrees: Master of Science in Chemistry, Master of Science in Physics
- Cost: $16,176 (In-state, Texas)
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Texas A&M University-Commerce also offers two master’s in science – one in chemistry as well as one in physics. They encompass 30 credit hours of study, generally completed over a two-year plan. The school offers thesis and non-thesis options for the degrees, giving greater flexibility while allowing students to study in a fashion that suits their career goals.
The physics degree is part of the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy (SARA), which provides students with access to high-tech telescopes located at various observatories. Online students enjoy the same privileges as on-campus students.
Master’s in Science: Degree Program Types
This is comparatively one of the most diverse and varied of all databases. Within this list, you can find degrees that focus on the geography discipline, as well as traditional sciences like chemistry and physics. There are also career-specific degrees, such as the Master of Professional Science in Marine Science from the Unity Environmental University.
Often overlooked, the type of degree also matters, not just the concentration. Most of these degrees are master of science (MS) programs. However, there are also master of arts (MA) programs as well.
The differences are often small, but most master of science programs focus on the hard sciences, while a master of arts may encompass theory, philosophy, history, and even literature behind the sciences. An MA curriculum is often comparatively broader. For example, the Master of Arts in Geography from Liberty University includes economic, transport, historical, and military geography.
Students will need to select a specific concentration or specialization. These degrees cover numerous topics, and future career options will depend on your choice. Specializations within this database include:
- Chemistry
- Geological sciences
- Physics
- Urban planning
- Earth system science
- Optical sciences
- Materials chemistry
- Applied physics
Accreditation for these Online Science Master’s Programs
All the degrees in this database come from schools that have regional institutional accreditation. This means the college or university has been reviewed and approved by an accrediting body. Accreditation is essential for all colleges, especially when post-graduation licensing or certification is involved. In many cases, only degrees from accredited institutions are recognized by licensing groups.
There is also a form of accreditation known as programmatic, which covers the specific degree. For example, an aviation degree can have accreditation from the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). However, there is no one consistent accrediting body for master’s of science degrees in general.
Although programmatic accreditation shows a high academic standard for a college degree, the most important factor is institutional accreditation. The degrees in this database do not have programmatic accreditation but all come from accredited schools.
Typical Admission Requirements for an Online Master’s in Science
Whether you have a bachelor’s degree or just started your college education, you may be considering an affordable online science master’s degree. Academia follows a tiered system, starting with a bachelor’s, then a master’s degree, followed by a doctorate, which is the highest level of academic achievement.
To enroll in a master’s, you first need a bachelor’s degree. For these science programs, applicants need a related four-year degree. Acceptable degrees vary by school and program, but most science and mathematics degrees will be acceptable. Because a master’s is a high academic level (second only to a doctorate), you’ll likely need a minimum GPA from previous studies. A 2.5 or 3.0 may be required, but this will depend on the school and program.
Master’s programs require an assortment of documents in order to verify that you have the preparation necessary for the rigors of a graduate degree. Required documents include a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation, as well as a professional resume that shows a background in science or geography.
Licensing, Training, and Experience Requirements for Science Professionals
Each profession has different licensing requirements, but in general science is not a career field that requires state-mandated licensing or certification. Chemists, material scientists, geographers, and physicists do not need a license in order to work in their profession.
There are some exceptions, however. For example, a geoscientist, who studies the physical aspects of the Earth, needs a license if they provide public services. If they provide support to civil engineering projects, for instance, then a license may be needed. This will include minimum education requirements, a passing exam score, and also work experience under the guidance of a licensed professional.
Salary and Career Information with a Science Master’s Degree
There are many careers in science; most of them have high salaries and excellent job stability. These careers require specific skills, so filling the roles is difficult. Because of the hiring challenges, employers pay top dollar to those with the appropriate master’s in science online degrees.
Occupation | Minimum Education | Median Salary (BLS – May 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban planner | Bachelor’s | $79,540 |
| Chemist | Bachelor’s | $80,670 |
| Geoscientist | Bachelor’s | $87,480 |
| Geographer | Bachelor’s | $88,900 |
| Materials scientist | Bachelor’s | $104,380 |
| Chemical engineer | Bachelor’s | $106,260 |
| Physicist | Doctorate | $142,850 |
These are the median numbers, meaning half earn more while half earn less. Pay depends on many factors, including experience and skill, as well as education. However, these numbers show that graduates of online science master’s programs have the potential to earn some of the strongest incomes in the job market.
Note that many of these careers require a bachelor’s as a minimum. Accordingly, people with a master’s degree have an even stronger chance of earning an income at or near the top.
Employment in the physical sciences is expected to provide a stable career as well. The physical sciences field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, will grow by 5% between 2022 and 2032, although growth will be different for various careers. Geoscientists, for example, are expected to grow by 5%, while chemists will grow by 6%.
How Do I Choose a Good Online Master’s Degree Program?
Completing an online master’s in science is a major feat that will lead to a rewarding, engaging, high-paying career. But you need to make the right choice for your future.
To select the best online master’s of science, start by using this database to find programs that fit your budget. The benefit of our database is that all programs come from accredited institutions.
Review the program’s coursework, delivery method, and schedule to make sure it fits your needs. Review the program’s admission requirements (you can contact the school if they are not clearly described on the school’s site) and prepare all documents for submission, including letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and official transcripts.
If you need more help finding the right program for your exact needs, use the resources on GetEducated.com. You’ll find the information you need so that you can make a fully informed decision with confidence.