10 Affordable Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in 2026
Online students can use the FAFSA form at schools that take part in federal student aid. The school, the specific program, and the student must all meet federal rules. University of Florida Online ranks first in our 2026 comparison, with an average net price of $4,815. Eastern New Mexico University and Florida International University follow. Check your program with the school’s financial aid office before you enroll.
Search for each college or federal school code on studentaid.gov. Listing a school on the FAFSA form does not guarantee aid. The school will review your information and tell you what aid you may receive. For a broader cost comparison, see our ranking of the most affordable online colleges.
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Key facts
- You may list a participating school on the FAFSA form, but you and your program must also qualify for federal aid.
- UF Online ranks first. It reports an average net price of $4,815 and an 85% graduation rate.
- Average net price is a school-wide federal measure. It may not equal the price of your online program.
How to Verify an Online College Accepts the FAFSA
- Check the school’s accreditation. Search the federal accreditation database.
- Find the school on the FAFSA form. Search by the college’s name, location, or federal school code on studentaid.gov.
- Ask about your online program. A school may take part in federal aid even when one of its certificates or partner programs does not qualify.
- Confirm your own eligibility. The school will use your FAFSA information and enrollment details to decide what aid you may receive.
Top 10 at a Glance
| Rank | School | Location | Average Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Online | Gainesville, FL | $4,815 |
| 2 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | Portales, NM | $4,904 |
| 3 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | $9,288 |
| 4 | American Public University System | Charles Town, WV | $9,597 |
| 5 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | $12,548 |
| 6 | Fort Hays State University | Hays, KS | $12,569 |
| 7 | Minot State University | Minot, ND | $12,703 |
| 8 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | $14,967 |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville, WI | $16,032 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | University Park, PA | $19,550 |
Average net price is the school-wide average for full-time, first-time undergraduates who receive federal aid. For public schools, it generally reflects in-state students. Online program costs may differ. Data come from the U.S. Department of Education.
Compare Affordable Online Colleges
10 Affordable Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in 2026
EDsmart ranked these 10 schools by average net price using U.S. Department of Education data. To qualify, a school had to offer online programs, take part in federal student aid, and have complete data for our 2026 review. The reported averages range from $4,815 to $19,550. They cover each school as a whole and may not reflect what an online student will pay. Aid status can change. Verify your program and use the school’s net price calculator for a personal estimate. See how we rank colleges.
University of Florida Online
Location: Gainesville, FL
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
University of Florida Online offers fully online degrees from a public research university. Students in eligible programs can be considered for federal aid after filing the FAFSA form. UF Online has the lowest average net price in this comparison. Check the school’s calculator to estimate your own cost.
Why it stands out: The lowest average net price in our comparison, $4,815, with an 85% graduation rate.
Average Cost of Attendance: $17,843
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $15,000
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Location: Portales, NM
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Eastern New Mexico offers online bachelor’s programs in business, education, criminal justice, and other fields. Many are designed for working adults. Ask the aid office if your program qualifies for federal aid.
Why it stands out: An average net price of $4,904, the second lowest in our comparison.
Average Cost of Attendance: $18,940
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $16,500
Florida International University
Location: Miami, FL
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
FIU Online offers degrees from Florida International University. The school reports strong retention and graduation figures. Florida residents should check for state grants and in-state pricing.
Why it stands out: An average net price of $9,288, a 74% graduation rate, and a 92% retention rate.
Average Cost of Attendance: $21,462
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $16,500
American Public University System
Location: Charles Town, WV
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
APUS includes American Public University and American Military University. It serves military members and working adults. Tuition does not change by state, and classes start often. Ask the aid office how federal aid works with military benefits.
Why it stands out: An average net price of $9,597 and a 97% first-year retention rate.
Average Cost of Attendance: $18,768
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,743
Western Governors University
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Western Governors University is a private nonprofit online school. Its competency-based courses let students move forward after they show that they have learned the material. WGU charges tuition by six-month term. Ask how its term structure may affect your federal aid.
Why it stands out: Competency-based courses and an average net price of $12,548.
Average Cost of Attendance: $16,728
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $11,116
Fort Hays State University
Location: Hays, KS
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Fort Hays State University is a public university in Kansas with many online programs. Its course schedules may work well for adult students. File the FAFSA form early and confirm that your online major qualifies for aid during your starting term.
Why it stands out: An average net price of $12,569 and a 77% retention rate.
Average Cost of Attendance: $19,909
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,000
Minot State University
Location: Minot, ND
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Minot State University is a public university in North Dakota with online degree options. Its average net price is close to that of Fort Hays State. Students considering education, nursing, or another licensed field should check program approval in their state.
Why it stands out: An average net price of $12,703 and a 45% graduation rate.
Average Cost of Attendance: $19,339
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $19,609
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Location: Tempe, AZ
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Arizona State University offers a large selection of online programs. The federal figures shown here come from ASU’s Tempe campus record and may not match results for ASU Online students. Confirm the campus and program on your admission and aid documents.
Why it stands out: A large online program selection, an average net price of $14,967, and an 87% retention rate.
Average Cost of Attendance: $30,111
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $19,500
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Location: Platteville, WI
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
The University of Wisconsin–Platteville offers online programs from a public university in the Midwest. Its average net price is higher than those of the Florida and New Mexico schools above. Wisconsin residents should check whether they qualify for state aid.
Why it stands out: An average net price of $16,032 and a 79% retention rate.
Average Cost of Attendance: $21,266
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,977
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
Location: University Park, PA
In-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Penn State World Campus offers Penn State degrees online. It has a broad program selection, but its average net price is the highest in this comparison. Consider whether the available program, student support, and alumni network are worth the added cost for you.
Why it stands out: Median earnings of $76,659 and an average net price of $19,550.
Average Cost of Attendance: $27,678
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: N/A
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $25,000
Other Online Colleges to Consider
Other options include Southern New Hampshire University and Purdue University Global. University of Maryland Global Campus and Grand Canyon University also offer online programs. These schools take part in federal student aid. They were not ranked because some data were missing or their average net prices were above our cutoff. Verify your school and program on studentaid.gov.
How to Apply for the FAFSA
- Create an account. Go to StudentAid.gov. Each student and contributor needs a separate account.
- Add the schools you are considering. Search by name, location, or federal school code. The online FAFSA form lets you list up to 20 schools.
- Submit the form early. State and school deadlines may come before the federal deadline.
- Compare your aid offers. Review grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Focus on the amount you must pay or borrow.
- File a new FAFSA form each year that you want federal student aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA
Can you get FAFSA for online colleges?
Yes. Online students may receive federal aid when their school and program qualify and they meet student eligibility rules. The school uses FAFSA information to determine each aid offer.
What online colleges accept the FAFSA?
Examples include UF Online, Eastern New Mexico, WGU, Arizona State, and Penn State World Campus. Always verify your school and program on studentaid.gov.
Do all online colleges accept FAFSA?
No. A school must be approved to take part in federal student aid, and not every program at a participating school qualifies. Confirm the school and program before you enroll.
Which online college is cheapest with FAFSA?
University of Florida Online ranks first in our comparison, with an average net price of $4,815 and an 85% graduation rate. Your cost will depend on your program, residency, and financial aid.
Is it FASFA or FAFSA?
The correct acronym is FAFSA—Free Application for Federal Student Aid. People often misspell it FASFA; this page’s URL keeps an older misspelling, but the form name is FAFSA.
How is this different from your cheap online colleges ranking?
This page covers schools that offer online programs and take part in federal student aid. Our affordable online colleges ranking compares a broader group and does not focus on FAFSA verification.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education — Federal Student Aid
- National Center for Education Statistics
- U.S. Department of Education — Accreditation Database
- U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard
- EDsmart rankings methodology
- EDsmart — Most Affordable Online Colleges