Which universities offer a low-cost online master’s degree?

A master’s degree or postgraduate degree showcases advanced knowledge in a specific subject. Generally, a master’s degree requires 30-60 credit scores in courses related to the choice of the master’s degree. It takes one to three years to complete a master’s degree, depending on the choice of subject. Master’s degree coursework is more extensive than undergraduate courses. 

Below are some advantages of pursuing a master’s degree: 

• A master’s graduate has more earning potential than an undergraduate.
• A master’s graduate can make you eligible for leadership and management positions in a company. 
• A master’s degree distinguishes you from all the other undergraduate candidates.
• There is a huge opportunity to connect with industry experts and successful people during your master’s degree.
• If you want to pursue a Ph.D., a master’s degree is one of the most common requirements for eligibility.

How can I get a master’s degree online?

With the recent breakthrough in internet technology and modern integrated systems, pursuing a master’s degree online is fairly easy. Furthermore, many students are applying for an online master’s degree rather than an on-campus one due to various reasons. Pursuing a master’s course online can have many benefits, and some of them are:

• Flexibility on the location: You can attend your degree programme from the comfort of your home or anywhere you prefer. You require a good internet connection and a computer/mobile device.
• Flexibility on time: The universities offering these online master’s programmes set up multiple class schedules. They keep in mind the international demography of the class, and the students are also working simultaneously. 
• Lower cost of studies: Online master’s degrees are generally less expensive than on-campus master’s courses. The lower price is due to the absence of infrastructure costs, rent and other utilities.
• Earn as you study: You have the opportunity to earn while you are studying. Since the class schedule is flexible, you can take up a part-time/full-time job to earn money while finishing your master’s degree.

Best universities that offer affordable master’s degrees

If you are looking for a low-cost online master’s degree programme, below is a list of universities that offer low tuition online master’s degree courses in India – 

Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ)

Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) is a University Grants Commission (UGC) recognised institution with NAAC A+, WES, ICES, AICTE, IQAS and ICAS accreditation. MUJ offers online courses on Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Master of Commerce, and Master of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication. Depending on the course, the fees for the online courses at MUJ range from INR 1,00,000 to INR 1,50,000. MUJ offers free access to Coursera to its postgraduate students. The online degrees offered by MUJ are widely accepted by corporate offices and government organisations. 

Amity University

Amity University offers UGC-entitled online programmes, and it is a NAAC, WES, WASC and QAA accredited. Amity University offers online courses on Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Master of Commerce (Financial Management) and Master of Arts (Journalism & Mass Communication). Depending on the course, the fees for the online courses at Amity University range from INR 77,000 to INR 2,55,000. 

Alagappa University

Alagappa University is a UGC recognised university with NAAC A+, AICTE and NIRF accreditation. Alagappa University offers a range of online courses to choose from. Some examples of the courses offered are Master of Business Administration (MBA) with various programme specialisations, Master of Commerce and Master of Arts (Journalism & Mass Communication/English/Tamil). Depending on the course, the fees for the online courses at Alagappa University range from INR 30,100 to INR 80,300. 

Bharati Vidyapeeth

Bharati Vidyapeeth is a UGC recognised university which provides a NAAC A+, NIRF and AICTE accredited online course in Master of Business Administration (MBA). The total fee for the two year MBA course at the university is INR 1,00,000. Bharati Vidyapeeth offers live classes to its students using the SWAYAM e-learning tool. 

Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University is a UGC recognised university with NAAC A accreditation. Chandigarh University offers online courses on Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts (Liberal Arts), Master of Commerce, Master of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication and Master of Science (Data Science). Depending on the course, the fees for the online courses at Chandigarh University range from INR 1,00,000 to 2,00,000. 

OP Jindal Global University

OP Jindal Global University is a UGC certified and recognised as an Institute of Eminence. OP Jindal Global University offers online courses on Master of Business Administration – MBA (Business Analytics), Master of Arts in International Relations, Security and Strategy and Master of Arts in Public Policy. The courses offered by OP Jindal University are in partnership with either Coursera or UpGrad. T

Jain University

Jain University is a UGC recognised university with NAAC accreditation. Jain University offers online postgraduate courses like Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Master of Commerce, and Master of Arts. They offer a wide range of electives to choose from to their students in each programme. Depending on the course, the fees for the online courses at Jain University range from INR 57,000 to INR 1,90,000. 

Guru Nanak Dev University

Guru Nanak Dev University is a UGC recognised university and has been granted ‘Category One’ status by UGC with NAAC A accreditation. The university offers online courses such as  Master of Business Administration – MBA (General, HR Management, Marketing Management and Financial Management), Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Master of Commerce and Master of Arts (Punjabi). Depending on the course, the fees for the online courses at Guru Nanak Dev University range from INR 34,000 to INR 95,200. 

Lovely Professional University (LPU)

Lovely Professional University (LPU) is a UGC certified institution that offers online courses on Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Master of Commerce, Master of Science and Master of Arts (English, Economics, Political Science, History and Sociology). They teach their students with a mix of online live sessions and recorded sessions to optimise the learning curve of each student. Depending on the choice of the course, the fees for an online course at Lovely Professional University can range from INR 52,000 to INR 1,14,000. 

SRM Institute of Sciences and Technology

SRM Institute of Sciences and Technology is a UGC recognised university with AICTE accreditation. SRM Institute of Sciences and Technology offers online courses on Master of Business Administration – MBA (Finance, HR, Marketing or Business Analytics), Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and Master of Commerce. Depending on the course, the fees for the online courses at SRM Institute of Sciences and Technology range from INR 76,000 to INR 1,89,000. 

Is an online master’s degree worth it?

If you are wondering if the online master’s degree is worth it, you should learn about the differences between an online master’s programme and an on-campus master’s program. 

• Online students can plan their classes according to their availability, whereas on-campus programmes do not offer such flexibility. 
• Online master’s degrees like an online MBA are generally less expensive than on-campus master’s courses. The lower price is due to the absence of infrastructure costs, rent and other utilities.
• One major difference between an online master’s degree and an on-campus master’s degree is the mode of communication. The classroom courses are organised in real-time and offer personal interaction, while in online mode, students can attend the lectures via the internet and computer. 
• The learning styles of the two master’s degrees are also different. You have peer support during on-campus master’s classes, while an online master’s degree requires a certain level of self-motivation.

READ MORE: Is it worth taking a degree online?

Are online master’s degrees affordable? 

The tuition fees for an online master’s degree are generally lower than for an on-campus master’s degree. The fees for an online master’s programme depend on many criteria like the choice of master’s, choice of university, choice of electives, etc. The list of institutions listed above offers affordable online master’s courses. Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) offers a master’s degree for an affordable fee ranging from INR 1,00,000 to INR 1,50,000. You can also look out for scholarships and financial help while applying for an online master’s degree.

Scholarships and financing

There are a lot of scholarships for master’s degrees in India. Many of the institutions listed above offer scholarships to certain categories of students who are:

1. Divyaang (for students with disability)
2. Defence Personnel 
3. PSU, Central or State Government employees
4. Meritorious students – Scored great marks in their 10+2 and undergraduate examinations

Most of the institutions listed above have EMI options with zero interest rates to help their students with financing their education. Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) has flexible payment options to permit the students to pay the fees in semester-wise instalments ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 37,500 per semester. MUJ offers scholarship discounts ranging from 10% to 20 % of the tuition fees to students belonging to any category listed above.

Why Online Manipal is a good option for pursuing an online master’s degree? 

The online courses offered by Manipal University Jaipur will help you become an expert in your domain. Manipal University Jaipur’s (MUJ) online courses offer students a wide range of electives. For its online MBA programme, the students can choose from Finance, Marketing, HRM, Operations Management, IT & FinTech, Analytics & Data Science, BFSI, and Retail Management electives. Online Manipal also offers free access to Coursera, which can be useful to hone your existing skills and learn new skills.

Furthermore, Manipal is a trusted name in the education sector in India and abroad. At Online Manipal, all the online degrees are specially designed for online learning to provide anywhere, anytime learning. Once approved the admission, students get full access to the state-of-the-art learning management system (LMS), where you will get all the information regarding the course, updates and notifications, study material, and access to the extensive e-library. The learning resources include short notes, explanatory reading materials, byte-sized concept videos, and recorded lectures. By taking quizzes, you can test your knowledge level from time to time. Discussion forums are the best place to interact with your faculty and co-learners while you resolve your academic and non-academic problems. The semester-end exams are held in remote proctored online mode, which enables you to attend the exams from the comfort of your home.

If you would like to pursue a future-ready programme, you can definitely consider Online Manipal, where you’ll get to do online master’s degrees from the top universities in India. Online Manipal also provides placement assistance to help you land a lucrative job and thrive in your career. You can also get direct access to the prestigious Manipal Alumni access.

Conclusion

With the advent of rapid internet technology and modern integrated systems, there is an ever-increasing rate of students applying for online master’s degrees. The tuition fees for an online master’s degree are generally lower than for an on-campus master’s degree. There are a lot of universities that offer affordable master’s programmes. You can opt to pay for the tuition fees semester-wise or even EMIs in some cases. Online Manipal offers a host of online master’s degree programmes. It has flexible payment options to permit the students to pay the fees in semester-wise instalments.