I'm not familiar with which programs offer a terminal MA in the USA with a concentration in Ancient Philosophy. Mainly, you'd be looking for a program offering a terminal MA in philosophy where at least one professor specializes in Ancient Philosophy. For example, Georgia State University offers a terminal MA in philosophy and they have a professor who specializes in ancients (Tim O'Keefe). Another indication of a program with strong offerings in Ancient Philosophy is to look at their placement record. This will tell you what students did their theses on, and where they ended up attending. A school that has a thesis or two in Ancient Philosophy each year, with an occasional placement at a top school for Ancient Philosophy, is a safe bet.
If you are looking for a safety school offering a terminal MA in philosophy, I would recommend beginning with the Philosophical Gourmet's section on the topic. Most of the schools on his list offer tuition remission and a stipend to students with an assistantship (the important exception is Brandeis University). The number of students receiving assistantships ranges from four to twenty, depending on the program. While you wouldn't need to take out loans if you were accepted at one of these schools with an assistantship, unless you are a international student, most of these schools will allow you to take out government loans. Private loans, of course, are always available as well. However, this is a question best directed at each school's financial aid department.
