An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D., has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a writer and consultant. She holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern...
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Are you ready to discover your college program?
An online doctoral program is an affordable and flexible way to earn the highest credential in education.
A doctorate can qualify you for senior-level positions in many fields, including leadership roles at various businesses and organizations. The degree can also prepare you to teach at the college level and perform academic research.
We determined our rankings of the best online doctoral programs using metrics like affordability and academic quality. We aggregated data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System to provide objective, fact-based rankings so you know which online Ph.D. programs are worth applying to.
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Featured Online Doctorate Programs
Our partner schools offer programs that help you advance your education while accommodating your schedule. Visit their sites to learn more about degrees, course offerings, start dates, transfer of credits, and more.
Jump to Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
Top Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
We use datasets from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
Amridge University
Montgomery, AL
4 years
Online
Cost per Credit: In-State | $535-$780 Out-of-State | $535-$780
Credits to Graduate: 30-66
Amridge University is a fully online, private, Christian university offering 10 doctoral programs. Students can choose from different doctoral degrees, including a doctor of education (Ed.D.), a doctor of ministry (D.Min.), or a Ph.D., in fields like organizational leadership and management, higher education administration, counseling, biblical studies, and interdisciplinary studies.
The cost of completing an online Ph.D. at Amridge depends on your field of study. For example, the university's Turner School of Theology charges full-time students $535 per credit hour. Meanwhile, the School of Education costs full-time students $700 per credit hour. Additionally, each doctoral program charges a $695 comprehensive fee per semester.
Amridge offers discounted tuition and waives admissions and registration fees for law enforcement and first responders.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$9,000
Out-of-state
$9,000
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$10,800
Out-of-state
$10,800
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
723
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: In-State | $778-$1100 Out-of-State | $778-$1100
Credits to Graduate: 59-77
Located in Ohio, private college Ashland University offers doctoral programs in educational leadership, nursing practice, and ministry.
At Ashland, students can access doctoral courses in different ways. Most educational leadership courses are hybrid — students can participate in online sessions when it's convenient. Doctor of ministry students complete courses on-demand and meet in person for one week during the semester. Ashland's doctor of nursing practice is 100% online.
Ashland recommends graduate students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to qualify for federal student loans to help pay for educational costs.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$22,000
Out-of-state
$22,000
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,972
Out-of-state
$6,972
Retention Rate
72%
Acceptance Rate
70%
Students Enrolled
4,929
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
53%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: In-State | $950 Out-of-State | $950
Credits to Graduate: 60
Capitol Technology University, a private university in Laurel, Maryland, offers tech-focused doctoral programs on its 52-acre campus and through its virtual campus. The online doctoral catalog includes 41 programs in fields such as aeronautical engineering, counterterrorism, healthcare technology, and space operations.
You have the choice between doctoral degrees that emphasize research and those that do not have any research requirements. Most doctoral applicants need at least five years of work experience.
Capitol recognizes academically gifted students with leadership potential at all degree levels by offering scholarships that begin at $2,000 and can cover full tuition.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$25,830
Out-of-state
$25,830
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$11,340
Out-of-state
$11,340
Retention Rate
75%
Acceptance Rate
47%
Students Enrolled
796
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
98%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: In-State | $922 Out-of-State |$922
Credits to Graduate: 29-48
Maryville University is a Catholic institution with a 150-year history. It has a St. Louis, Missouri campus and distance learning options. Maryville's online doctoral degree programs include eight DNP programs and one educational leadership program.
Multiple start dates and no entrance exams make it easy to apply for Maryville's doctoral programs.
To finance your education, you can draw on a variety of financing options for graduate students. Maryville can help you find scholarships, fellowships, and financial aid opportunities.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$24,766
Out-of-state
$24,766
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$14,346
Out-of-state
$14,346
Retention Rate
82%
Acceptance Rate
92%
Students Enrolled
10,596
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
84%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Omaha, NE
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost Per Credit: In-State | $850 Out-of-State | $850
Credits to Graduate: 34-75
Established in 1891, Nebraska Methodist College maintains a long-standing history of providing nursing and allied health education, with its base in Omaha, Nebraska.
This private Methodist college provides five virtual DNP programs, which include family nursing, adult gerontology primary care, gerontology clinical nursing, public health policy, and an advanced practice RN to DNP path.
NMC's affordable tuition gets cheaper if you access federal work-study opportunities as well as merit, leadership, and membership scholarships for students involved in church and school groups.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$14,869
Out-of-state
$14,869
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$11,758
Out-of-state
$11,758
Retention Rate
93%
Acceptance Rate
84%
Students Enrolled
1,229
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
77%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: In-State | $446 Out-of-State | $1005
Credits to Graduate: 64-69
Texas A&M University College Station offers online Ph.D. programs in educational administration, interdisciplinary engineering, and plant breeding. Additionally, it offers online Ed.D. programs in educational administration, and curriculum and instruction. Most programs require students to complete at least 64 credit hours beyond a master's degree.
Graduate students at Texas A&M can help fund their education through an assistantship — a part-time, paid job working in research, teaching, lecturing, or other functions. In addition, the university offers several scholarships for international students, veterans, and students with disabilities.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$8,578
Out-of-state
$35,378
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,885
Out-of-state
$19,592
Retention Rate
93%
Acceptance Rate
64%
Students Enrolled
72,530
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
38%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost per Year: In-State | $9,518 Out-of-State | $17,918
Credits to Graduate: 60-96
Since 1923, Texas Tech University has grown to comprise 13 colleges and schools that provide doctoral degrees in various fields, including special education and agricultural education. With hybrid and online programs, you can conveniently choose from 16 different subject areas to earn a doctorate degree.
In combination with assistantships, doctoral fellowships can help candidates fund and complete their program. The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships can also help you find and submit applications for outside fellowships, travel funding, and research grants.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$8,935
Out-of-state
$21,204
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,956
Out-of-state
$15,136
Retention Rate
85%
Acceptance Rate
68%
Students Enrolled
40,542
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
68%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: In-State | $700 Out-of-State | $700
Credits to Graduate: 42-66
The private, non-profit Touro University Worldwide serves nearly 2,250 students in 25 fully online programs, including six online doctoral programs. Doctoral students can choose from fields like health science, psychology, business administration, management, and marriage and family therapy.
Touro's doctoral programs boast relatively short completion times — students typically complete their degrees in 2-3 years, a plus for students eager to earn their degrees fast.
Touro tuition assistance counselors are available to help students determine their eligibility for financial aid. Additionally, the university encourages working students to speak with their employers about tuition assistance programs to help fund their degrees.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$14,440
Out-of-state
$14,440
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$9,000
Out-of-state
$9,000
Retention Rate
85%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
2,251
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
99%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: In-State | $623 Out-of-State | $623
Credits to Graduate: 48-54
For more than 25 years, the University of Memphis has offered fully online programs through the University of Memphis Global. The school serves over 5,000 students in more than 100 accredited programs, including eight fully online doctoral programs in education, nursing, liberal studies, and social work.
Graduate students at the University of Memphis can speak with an academic advisor to see if they qualify for Experiential Learning Credit, a program whereby students can earn college credits for professional, military, volunteer, or other life experiences.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$8,352
Out-of-state
$12,384
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$9,378
Out-of-state
$13,014
Retention Rate
72%
Acceptance Rate
95%
Students Enrolled
21,622
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
58%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: In-State | $570 Out-of-State | $570
Credits to Graduate: 60-90
You can select from 17 hybrid and online doctoral programs at the University of North Dakota, including degrees in nursing, public health, communication, education, and several specialties in science and engineering.
Online doctoral programs at the University of North Dakota generally require students to complete 90 credit hours. However, you can complete some programs in fewer credit hours if you already have a relevant master's degree. For example, completing a post-master's DNP takes just 37 credit hours to complete.
The university offers multiple scholarship opportunities to graduate students. For example, two programs — the Open Door Scholarship and Angel Fund — support current students facing financial hardship.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$8,882
Out-of-state
$13,323
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$11,503
Out-of-state
$17,254
Retention Rate
77%
Acceptance Rate
89%
Students Enrolled
13,772
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
70%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD
4 years
Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: In-State | $470 Out-of-State | $470
Credits to Graduate: 69-90
University of South Dakota's campus was established in 1862 in Vermillion, South Dakota, but now offers virtual degrees that provide both flexibility and affordability. Online students can choose from six doctoral degrees — including specializations from the education and health sciences departments. The doctoral programs cover subjects such as adult and higher education, counseling and psychology in education, curriculum director, health sciences, and nursing.
Save on tuition by taking advantage of paid assistantships available through your department. At USD graduate school, you also can receive research grants and showcase your research at IdeaFest.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,773
Out-of-state
$11,283
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,123
Out-of-state
$11,773
Retention Rate
77%
Acceptance Rate
87%
Students Enrolled
9,464
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
56%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Methodology
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system to help you find the best schools. Our most important metric, affordability, accounts for 60% of our weighted formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rate.
For this page, we created a directory list of online doctoral programs that meet our criteria. These schools are organized alphabetically rather than ranked.
Tips for Choosing the Best Online Doctoral Program for You
Want to figure out which online doctoral program is best for you? Check out these five essential tips.
1. Understand Your Goals
Students considering online doctoral programs should understand their professional goals and know what jobs they want to qualify for after graduation.
Not all careers require a doctorate; however, a doctorate can provide you with better salary potential and leadership opportunities, especially in fields like healthcare and education.
Ask yourself: Do you need a Ph.D. for your chosen field? If not, how will a doctorate help you?
2. Research Accredited Online Programs
There are many online Ph.D. programs to choose from, but not all are created equal.
Make sure the schools you're considering for your online doctorate are accredited by a recognized agency. If you're applying for a doctorate in a professional field like nursing, medicine, business, law, psychology, or education, you should also look for programmatic accreditation.
As you research online doctoral programs, consider how you wish to learn. Do you want a hybrid or 100% online format? Does the program require any in-person components? Decide what works best for your goals and schedule.
3. Consider Your Budget and Financial Aid Options
Before you apply to online Ph.D. programs, take time to understand your budget and the cost of each program you're considering. Some programs will cost far more or less than others. Some doctoral programs may even be fully funded, making them highly competitive.
Consider contacting faculty members, current students, and recent alums of the graduate program you're interested in. This way, you can better tailor your application and have a clearer idea of what to expect during and after the program.
5. Choose One of the Top Doctoral Programs
A top-ranked doctoral program can help you reach your professional goals. After researching doctoral programs, narrow your focus to decide where to apply.
Use your research on program outcomes, doctoral specializations, and faculty mentors to identify the best programs for you. Then, make sure you meet the admission requirements and start working on your application.
In 2022, doctorate-holders earned a median annual salary of $119,839, compared to just $82,386 for those with only a bachelor's degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Online Ph.D. programs offer more flexibility than on-campus programs, making it easier to balance your studies and other obligations.
As of 2022, the unemployment rate for those with only a bachelor's degree (2.2%) was more than double the rate for those with a doctorate (1%).
In an online Ph.D. program, you can conduct specialized research and become an expert in a field you're passionate about.
Some online doctoral programs may be more affordable than in-person programs.
The Importance of Accreditation in Online Ph.D. Programs
Accreditation ensures that an institution meets a certain learning standard and awards recognized credentials. Attending an accredited school also means you can apply for federal student aid.
In certain fields, individual programs may receive programmatic accreditation. Licensure for professions like nursing and law usually requires completing an accredited program.
The average tuition and fees for graduate programs in the U.S. have risen a whopping 378% between 1989 and 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Cost of Online Ph.D. Programs
According to NCES data, the average annual tuition and fees for graduate programs were $20,513 in 2021-2022.
Private nonprofit institutions had an annual average cost of $29,931, while public universities had a lower annual average cost of $12,596.
Other factors that can affect how much your online Ph.D. or doctorate will cost include textbooks and supplies, distance learning fees, and whether you're attending an in-state or out-of-state institution.
You can offset some of these costs by submitting the FAFSA and applying for scholarships and fellowships.
Careers You Can Get With an Online Doctorate
What can you do after earning a Ph.D. online? With a doctorate, you can become a psychologist, nurse practitioner, or college professor. You can also move into leadership roles in business, healthcare, and education.
Many in-demand jobs require a doctorate. For example, the job growth rate for veterinarians is 20% over the next 10 years.
A doctoral degree can lead to high-paying careers as well. Physicians and surgeons earn over $220,000 annually, and dentists earn nearly $160,000.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Doctoral Programs
What is the cheapest way to get a Ph.D.?
The cheapest way to get a Ph.D. is to apply for financial aid to cover your costs. Some programs offer doctoral fellowships that cover tuition and provide a stipend. You can also use scholarships and grants to pay for a Ph.D.
Finally, researching affordable online doctoral programs can help you save money.
Are online Ph.D. programs legitimate?
Just like in-person Ph.D. programs, online doctoral programs can be legitimate — so long as they're accredited. An online program with the same accreditation as an in-person program will have completed the same vetting process and meet the same quality standards.
The time it takes to complete an online Ph.D. varies depending on the field and program, whether you attend part or full time, and whether you opt for an accelerated program. A typical online Ph.D. program takes at least three years to complete, though it may take as many as 5-7 years.
How much does an online Ph.D. program cost?
The cost of Ph.D. programs varies widely, with the average graduate tuition and fees exceeding $20,000 per year in 2021-2022, according to NCES data. Graduate students can save money by choosing an affordable online program and researching financial aid opportunities.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Affordable Colleges Online. Page last reviewed November 13, 2023.
AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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