In this guide, we’ll break down the best Ivy League online master’s degree programs that are available in 2025, including tuition costs, admissions requirements, and program details from each of the eight Ivy League schools.
Ivy League online master’s degree programs offer flexibility and global access without sacrificing academic rigor. Lower commuting costs and flexible scheduling are major drivers for pursuing online programs, though it’s important to note that tuition may be comparable to on-campus programs at some of these schools.
Many Ivy League programs allow students to study asynchronously (on their own schedule) or in hybrid formats. For working professionals or people balancing family life or other competing priorities, this flexibility can make an advanced degree more accessible.
As of 2025, seven Ivy League universities, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale, offer online master’s degree programs. Princeton does not currently provide online master’s programs for credit but does offer dozens of free online courses. Below, we’ll compare each school’s online graduate offerings, estimated costs, and application requirements.
Brown University
Programs Offered (2025)
- Master’s in Biostatistics
- Master’s in Data Science: Policy, Governance & Society
- Master’s in Management (MiM)
Estimated Cost
- Graduate tuition & fees: about $71,700 per year1
Columbia University
Programs Offered (2025):
- Actuarial Science
- Applied Analytics
- Bioethics
- Construction Administration
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Human Capital Management
- Information & Knowledge Strategy
- Insurance Management
- Narrative Medicine
- Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
Estimated Cost
- About $42,000 per semester for master’s degree progams.2
Cornell University
Programs Offered (2025):
- Executive Master of Human Resource Management
- Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering
- Master of Engineering in Engineering Management
Estimated Cost
- Graduate tuition and fees averages about $35,000 per semester, depending on your specific field of study.3
Dartmouth College
Programs Offered (2025):
Estimated Cost
- Tuition for online graduate school programs range from about $34,000 to $39,000 per semester.4
Harvard University
Programs Offered (2025):
- Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Biotechnology
- ALM in Cybersecurity
- ALM in Finance
- ALM in Global Development Practice
- ALM in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- ALM in Journalism
- ALM in Management
- ALM in Mathematics for Teaching
- ALM in Computer Science
- ALM in Sustainability
In total, Harvard Extension offers over 20 fully or mostly online graduate programs, which is one of the largest online master’s portfolios among Ivy League schools.
Estimated Cost
- Harvard tuition is about $60,000 per year.5
University of Pennsylvania
Programs Offered (2025)
- Master of Computer and Information Technology (MCIT Online)
- Master of Science in Engineering in Data Science
- Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership
- Master of Healthcare Innovation
- Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences
Estimated Cost
- Tuition varies by program and department/school within the university. Check out Penn’s tuition page for the updated costs for each program.
Princeton University
Programs Offered (2025): Princeton does not currently offer online master’s degree programs for credit. However, it provides more than 30 free online courses through platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Kadenze. These are massive open online courses (MOOCs) created and taught by Princeton faculty.
Popular offerings include:
- Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies
- The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges
- Computer Architecture
- Global History of Capitalism
- Making Government Work in Hard Places
Estimated Cost
- All Princeton MOOCs are free to audit, with the option to pay a small fee (typically $50–$100) for a verified certificate on Coursera or edX.
- These courses are non-credit and cannot be applied toward a Princeton graduate degree.
Yale University
Programs Offered (2025)
Yale currently offers one credit-bearing online master’s program:
In addition, Yale provides numerous open online learning opportunities through Coursera, covering a variety of subjects that you can choose from.
Estimated Cost
- Tuition for the Executive MPH is approximately $55,320 per year.6
Should You Enroll in the Best Ivy League Online Master’s Degree Programs?
Ivy League online master’s degree programs are a great combination of flexibility with world-class academic standards. While tuition costs are typically comparable to on-campus ones, online formats are unique because they allow professionals to advance their education without relocating or interrupting their careers. For many students, this combination of global recognition, faculty access, and strong alumni networks makes these programs a very worthwhile investment.
Ivy League Online Master’s FAQ
Yes, most Ivy League online master’s degree programs require a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Some professional master’s programs may accept applicants with substantial work experience in lieu of standardized test scores, but a bachelor’s degree is still required.
Are Ivy League online master’s programs worth it?
Yes, as long as the program aligns with your personal and professional goals. Ivy League degrees are recognized worldwide and can strengthen your resume; however, outcomes vary by individual, and tuition costs are significant.
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Do Ivy League schools offer scholarships for online master’s programs?
Ivy League schools do not offer merit-based scholarships, but they meet 100% of demonstrated financial need through grants, work-study, or loans. Students may also apply for federal aid through FAFSA.
Are Ivy League online master’s programs the same quality as on-campus programs?
Yes. Online programs are taught by the same faculty and follow the same curriculum as in-person degrees. The main difference is delivery format, since online courses provide more flexibility than their in-person counterparts.
References
- https://sfs.brown.edu/tuition-and-fees/graduate
- https://www.gsas.columbia.edu/content/cost-attendance
- https://bursar.cornell.edu/students-parents/tuition-rates-and-fees
- https://healthsciences.dartmouth.edu/education/admissions/tuition-fees
- https://registrar.fas.harvard.edu/tuition-and-fees
- https://ysph.yale.edu/admissions-financial-aid/financial-aid/tuition-and-expenses-budgets/
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