If you’re looking for the most affordable online doctoral degrees, you likely either have a vision for success or have already accomplished a great deal. Doctoral degrees are terminal degrees giving their owners the highest amount of learning they can receive in their field.
Completing the degrees necessary to enter into a doctoral program can be quite an expensive venture. Most potential doctoral students are anxious to cut expenses as much as possible. These schools provide the least expensive doctoral degree programs available online.
Methodology
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Below is our list of the most affordable online schools that offer doctoral programs. We provide information on each school’s tuition, the doctoral degrees offered at the schools, and some introductory points about the way in which the online degrees are delivered.
This website will aid in that first step in preparing you for your path toward selecting an online college that works for you and your needs. Perusing each school’s website yourself and requesting information to be sent to you for your evaluation is highly recommended and encouraged.
20 Most Affordable Online Doctoral Programs
The Taft University System
The William Howard Taft University System offers some of the most inexpensive online doctoral programs. A private university which is based in Colorado, the Taft University System has been offering degrees since 1976. It became one of the pioneers of distance education and after the turn of the century began offering doctoral degrees as well.
The Taft University System offers 3 concentrations in Education and a Doctor of Business Administration. The minimum completion time for the online doctorates at the Taft University System is 27 months. Students are enrolled in one class at a time while completing other classes. The average completion time is 48 months.
Accreditation: Accredited by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: $315 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Education in Leadership and Management
- Doctor of Education in Charter School Administration
- Doctor of Education in Technology and Leadership
- Doctor of Business Administration
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT THE WILLIAM TAFT UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.
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University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota has one of the lowest costs per credit of all the schools on this list. UND offers the same tuition for their online programs as they do for in-state on-campus students. The University of North Dakota was founded in 1883, even before the state of North Dakota was established. It is now the state’s largest university.
According to its website, the University of North Dakota has “emerged as an innovator in energy, medicine, aviation, and unmanned aircraft systems.” This specialty shows in the type of online doctoral programs that are offered by the university, one of which is Aerospace Sciences. The University of North Dakota has a high success rate with 85% of the graduates working in the field of their education.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $511 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Aerospace Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Nursing
- Nursing Practice
- Petroleum Engineering
MORE INFORMATION ON ONLINE DOCTORATE PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
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University of Missouri
The University of Missouri, though it only offers one online doctorate, still has one of the most affordable online tuition rates. Mizzou Online offers over 100 online degrees and certificates and according to their website, the staff has a collective 600 years of experience in online and adult education.
The online doctorate that is offered at the University of Missouri is a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Environmental Sciences with an emphasis on Architectural Studies. This degree program consists of 72 credit hours and is delivered 100% online.
The minimum time to completion is 5 years but actual completion time will depend on the number of credits per semester.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $542 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Human Environmental Sciences
- Emphasis in Architectural Studies
- Emphases include:
- Aesthetics of Design
- Facility Management and Design
- Inclusive design/Accessibility
- Sustainable Design
- Emphases include:
- Emphasis in Architectural Studies
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.
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Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University not only regularly receives accolades for its online program, it also provides affordable tuition. With 7 online doctoral programs in the field of engineering and one in Community College Leadership, Mississippi State charges under $500 per credit hour of doctoral learning.
Ranked in the top 20% for online military-friendly schools Mississippi State has “veteran-friendly distinctions” and is recognized as a “military spouse friendly” school as well. SmartAsset has listed Mississippi State as being the top “best value” school in Mississippi for three years in a row.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $537 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Community College Leadership
- Computational Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Engineering
- Concentration in Aerospace Engineering
- Concentration in Civil Engineering
- Concentration in Mechanical Engineering
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
MORE INFORMATION ON ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT MISSISSIPPI STATE
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Northwest State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University offers the same low rate of tuition for students acquiring their doctorates as for in-state students. Their low tuition gives doctoral students across the country the opportunity to take classes at one of the top online schools in the U.S.
Northwestern State University was founded in 1884 and became the parent of eNSU which was Louisiana’s “first and largest electronic campus.” eNSU offers “accommodating class schedules, personalized instruction, military benefits, and financial aid.
According to their website, eNSU is recognized as a top military-friendly school and one of the best Online Schools for Veterans. eNSU has over 40 online degrees and programs with two online doctorate programs available.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $475-575 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Education in Adult and Learning Development
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT THE NORTHWEST STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University offers in-state and out-of-state graduate tuition both for under $600 per credit hour which makes it one of the least expensive online doctorate offerings on this list. Old Dominion University is a public research university established in 1930 in Norfolk, Virginia.
Their student satisfaction rate is very high with a 2017 survey showing 97% of students either satisfied or very satisfied with their experience at Old Dominion. The online satisfaction rate was just a little lower at 95.9%. Old Dominion University offers 10 online doctorate programs in varying fields from Education to English to Instructional Design.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition:
- In-state: $599 per credit hour
- Out-of-state: $1,439 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Career and Technical Education
- Community College Leadership
- Educational Leadership with Licensure
- English
- Human Resource – Training
- Occupational and Technical Studies
- Instructional Design and Technology
- Nursing-Advanced Practice
- Nursing-Nurse Executive
- Public Administration and Policy
- Technology Education
- Occupational and Technical Studies
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY.
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Aspen University
Aspen University has one of the lowest tuition rates for online doctorates. Aspen is a private university located in Denver, Colorado, which has been offering distance education since 1987. Aspen offers “online doctoral degree programs in the high demand fields of Education (Ed.D.), Nursing (DNP) and Computer Science (DCS).
According to their website, Aspen University allows their doctoral students to obtain a graduate degree at their own pace through the completion of online coursework. The online doctoral programs at Aspen University are designed for students who are balancing school, family, or work commitments at the same time as pursuing higher education.
Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
Tuition: $518 per month
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Computer Science
- Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning
- Health Care Administration and Leadership
- Higher Education Leadership
- K12 Educational Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
- Organizational Psychology
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT ASPEN UNIVERSITY
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Ball State University Online
Ball State University has a low cost for a high reputation for its online doctoral programs. In 2018, Ball State University earned high rankings from U.S. News and World Report. These include the 9th best online graduate education programs for veterans and the 16th best online MBAs.
Almost all of Ball State’s online programs are offered 100% online with no trip to the campus needed to complete the program. Ball State was the “first higher education institution in the country to earn Learner Support Program Certification for its online programs.”
This certification was provided by Quality Matters. Ball State is also ranked No. 8 by Victory Media on its list of Military Friendly Schools.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $576 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Education
- Adult and Community Education
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Special Education
- Higher Education and Community College Leadership
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY ONLINE.
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Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is the parent of Indiana University Online which offers some of the most affordable online doctoral programs. IUOnline began 5 years ago and has been very successful in bringing education to people at their convenience.
Not only do around 33% of Indiana University’s students take an online class but the online degree programs have increased by 46% since 2014. This brings the total online degree programs at IUOnline to 124 with 6 doctoral programs included. IUonline has a commitment to delivering “high-quality academic experiences and seamless services to online students.”
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $530 per credit hour
- A few of the degrees are more per credit hour. However, in-state tuition for all doctoral degrees at Indiana University is under $600 with the exception of Nursing Practice.
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Instructional Systems Technology
- Literacy, Culture and Language Education
- Nursing Practice
- Occupational Therapy Post-Professional
- Nursing Science
- Public Health, Global Health Leadership
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON.
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University of Colorado Denver
Colorado University Online makes the list as one of the most affordable schools at which to study for a doctoral degree. Depending on the degree one is seeking, the price for studying online at CU Online can be under $400 a credit. CU Online offers 28 online degrees including 3 doctorate degrees in the field of medicine.
CU Online is an affiliate of Colorado University Denver which has a strong medical presence in the Denver area, serving over 500,000 patients a year. The University of Colorado Denver is not new to the field of medicine, opening their Department of Medicine and Surgery in 1883.
The Department of Nursing at the University of Colorado Denver is 130 years old. The University of Colorado Denver is the largest public research university in Colorado.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition:
- $450-$720: In-State Graduate Tuition
- $1,400-$1,549: Out-of-State Graduate Tuition
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Pharmacy – iPharmD
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORATE PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER.
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University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas Online has some of the least expensive online doctorates available for those interested in pursuing a doctorate in Education or Nursing. Three out of the four online doctoral programs offered at U of A Online are under $500 a credit hour which makes the school one of the most affordable on this list.
The University of Arkansas was founded in 1871 and now has over 12,000 students taking at least one online course. The University of Arkansas Online was named one of the best online programs in graduate education by U.S. News and World Report.
At the University of Arkansas, “Online courses are designed by the academic colleges and schools at the University of Arkansas to produce the same learning outcomes as traditional, on-campus courses.”
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $438-$597 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning
- Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
- Doctor of Education in Human Resources and Workforce Development Education
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
LEARN MORE ABOUT ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS.
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University of Louisiana Monroe
The University of Louisiana Monroe offers two inexpensive doctoral programs online. The Educational Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
The coursework for the Doctorate in Education can be completed in as little as 24 months. The coursework for the Marriage and Family Therapy Doctorate can also be completed in a little over 2 years. These degree programs are offered by ULM Online at $500 per credit hour.
The University of Louisiana Monroe is a public research institution in Monroe, Louisiana which opened in 1931. ULM Online offers 30 online degree programs and maintains the same level of excellence in its online programs as it does on campus. According to their website, “ULM students who learn online earn the same degree as our face-to-face students from an accredited and respected institution of higher learning.“
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $695 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Marriage and Family Therapy
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL DEGREES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE.
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Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce has one of the least expensive online doctorates on this list. Only one online doctorate is available at Texas A&M, the Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration.
This degree has a K-12 public school administration emphasis and requires a strong commitment to education on the part of its applicants and students. “The Department of Educational Leadership at Texas A&M University-Commerce prepares graduates for teaching, service, and leadership roles in a variety of educational, business, government and industry contexts.”
Accreditation: Southern Association on Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $758 per credit hour
Acceptance:
- General requirements for admission into Graduate Studies at Texas A&M must be met.
- 3.40 GPA for master’s degree work
- Letter of recommendation, administrative experience along with all departmental requirements
- Two cohorts of doctoral students are accepted each year. Acceptance is competitive
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Education in Educational Administration
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOCTORATE OF EDUCATION IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY COMMERCE.
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Liberty University
Liberty University Online is developing a reputation as one of the best online colleges, especially for the price. Liberty offers 9 different doctoral programs online which makes it one of the most diverse online schools on this list. The tuition for the programs varies from around $400 to $650 a credit.
Liberty Online is affiliated with Liberty University which was begun by Jerry Falwell in 1971. In 1985, Liberty began its distance learning program by sending VHS tapes to long-distance students. The University now has over 100,000 students with over 550 programs. Liberty Online has over 250 of these programs available for off-campus students.
Liberty University is a private, non-profit private institution and is one of the largest Christian institutions in the world based on student enrollment.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $565-$615
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Divinity D.Min.
- Ed.D. Community Care and Counseling
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Business Administration
- Education
- Education Specialist
- Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision
- Ph.D. Higher Education Administration
- Ph.D. Theology and Apologetics
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY.
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Cal Southern University
Cal Southern University offers several online doctoral programs that are some of the most affordable available. The Juris Doctor Degree is $375 per credit hour and the Doctor of Psychology and Doctor of Business Administration Degrees are both $495 for each credit hour.
The online doctorates at Cal Southern University are applied or professional doctorates. Unlike academic doctorates, they are “more devoted to the advanced, practical application of theory in a professional setting.” The online doctorates at Cal Southern are offered by Cal Southern’s Schools of Business, Law, and Psychology.
Cal Southern University has a “state of the art” online library and offers flexible scheduling for those students who are balancing multiple responsibilities besides finishing their doctoral degrees.
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition: $250-$475 per credit hour.
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Juris Doctor
- Doctor of Psychology
LEARN MORE ABOUT ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT CAL SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.
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Montana State University
One of the most affordable online doctorates, the DNP degree at Montana State University Online has two concentrations. One can study to be a Nurse Practitioner focusing on Family/Individual studies or Psychiatric/Mental Health. Now Montana’s largest university, Montana State University was founded in 1893 in Bozeman, Montana.
Originally a land-grant institution, MSU serves its community well with over 8,500 students being from the state of Montana. Montana State University has maintained a high standard of academic excellence throughout the years.
According to the website of Montana State University, “During its most recent re-accreditation, MSU was commended for an ‘extremely high level of productivity and effectiveness.'” MSU is committed to maintaining this standard in its online degree programs as well.
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tuition: $291 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Nurse Practitioner, Family/Individual
- Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORATE OF NURSING PRACTICE AT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY.
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Governors State University
Governors State University offers in-state tuition to all online students making their online doctoral programs some of the cheapest available. Of the 5 online doctoral programs available at Governors State, two of them: Counselor Education and Supervision and Interdisciplinary Leadership are priced at only $477 per credit hour. Another online doctorate in Physical Therapy is $613 per credit hour.
Governors State University is a public university in Illinois, located 40 miles south of Chicago, that offers 64 degree programs to its students. According to its website, Governors State University has the most affordable undergraduate tuition in the state of Illinois. The online program at Governors State University offers over 200 online courses.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $477-$797 – In-State Tuition
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- Doctor of Counselor Education
- Doctor of Interdisciplinary Leadership
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY.
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Amridge University
Offering 9 different doctoral programs at low cost, Amridge University “has been a long-time leader in online education.” All of the programs at Amridge University use distance learning as the primary way of teaching.
According to their website, Amridge University has made it their goal to support their students from the beginning of their application and throughout their online experience. Amridge University was founded in 1967 and is a private university.
They offer “excellent scholarships and incentive discounts for Military Students, First Time Freshmen, Sister Institution Staff, Ministers, and Corporate Alliances.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges – 1866 Southern Ln. Decatur, GA 30033
Tuition: $535-$780 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Organizational Leadership and Management
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Ministry in Family Therapy
- Higher Education Administration
- Professional Counseling
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Doctor of Ministry
- Biblical Studies
- Old Testament
- New Testament
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT AMRIDGE UNIVERSITY.
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Johnson University
Johnson University offers one of the cheapest online doctoral degrees. The Doctorate in Leadership Studies is an interdisciplinary degree that focuses on “four dimensions of leadership studies.” These four dimensions are:
- individual and personal systems,
- organizational systems,
- global systems,
- and research.
The Ph.D. program is “rooted in a commitment to educating a whole person.” Johnson University is a private, Christian university based out of Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee. Founded in 1893, Johnson University is not only part of the educational scene but also the history of Tennessee.
Johnson University has two physical campuses, an online campus, and extended education programs that are located in many other states. Johnson University’s online program provides students with constant and direct access to their faculty.
One-on-one advising in their academic discipline as well as virtual library services and other academic resources are also offered to every online student.
Accreditation: Southern Association on Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $945 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctorate in Leadership Studies
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT JOHNSON UNIVERSITY.
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University of Wilmington
Wilmington University offers 3 affordable doctorates 100% online. The price to enroll in one of these doctorates is $632 per credit hour which comes to around $1,896 per course.
Wilmington is located on 3 different campuses in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland as well as on their online campus. Wilmington has 20,000 students enrolled and a 17:1 faculty-student ratio.
Wilmington University is a private, non-profit, doctoral research institution that was founded in 1968. According to its website, Wilmington University offers a high transfer of at 90 credits and is focused on providing career-focused degree programs.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: $696 per credit hour
Online Doctorate Programs Available:
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Education
- Higher Education Leadership and Innovation
- Organizational Learning, Leadership and Innovation
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY.
FAQs
How can I make my doctorate program more affordable?
A doctoral degree program can be made more affordable by looking for programs that offer tuition discounts, tuition waivers, or scholarships. Students should also look into the cost of living in any potential locations and investigate loan and grant options.
Other cost-saving measures include taking courses online or part-time, depending on the availability of courses in the program. Additionally, some universities may offer stipends or fellowships to help offset costs.
How long will an online doctorate take to earn?
An online doctoral program can vary in the length of time it takes to complete. Generally, online PhDs take the same amount of time as an on-campus program would take. However, because online education is usually accomplished while working full time or completing other responsibilities, the classes may take longer for individuals to complete.
The average student in any Ph.D. program will take 8.5 years to complete their doctorate. Some programs may be completed in as little as three years. On average, one can expect to take five years to complete an online or on-campus Ph.D. program.
- Things to consider when evaluating the time it takes to complete an online Ph.D. are:
- The projected timeline proposed by the school for the program;
- How many responsibilities and other duties one has outside of accomplishing the Ph.D.;
- Whether or not one has credits that will transfer into the program and related to this;
- Whether one will be able to test out of any proposed classes in the program.
Looking closely at the prescribed program as well as talking to your adviser and accurately adjudicating one’s schedule, will give a pretty close estimate of the time it will take to complete an online Ph.D. program.
What is the average cost of an online doctoral degree?
According to Guide to Online Schools, over 245 schools now offer an online doctoral degree. Doctoral degrees are offered online in various fields, including:
- Education,
- Medicine,
- English,
- Literature,
- Business,
- Philosophy,
- Theology,
- Public Health,
- Technology,
- Engineering,
- and many others.
The cost of acquiring an online doctoral degree can be less than attending a traditional classroom, depending on the type of school one attends. The average tuition for a doctoral degree in a traditional setting is between $15,000-$20,000 a year (according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System).
According to NCES, public institutions offer the least expensive degrees, with traditional doctorates averaging around $11,000. Private Non-Profit Institutions, on the other end of the spectrum, cost around $25,000 a year. Private For-Profit Institutions cost about $14,000 a year for a doctoral degree.
More and more top public and private research institutions are offering online degrees, some of which are included on this list. The average cost of an online doctoral degree on this list is about $500 a credit, which comes to around $10,000 a year.
Are online doctoral degrees 100% online?
The list in this article of the most affordable online degrees only includes degrees in which the coursework can be completed 100% online. Often a doctorate will require one or several visits to campus as residencies, though many on this list do not require this.
A residency can be very helpful in forging connections, meeting classmates in person as well as doing intensive study, and working with faculty. If an institution advertises 100% online coursework, the residencies may be considered differently. However, with advancing technology, it is becoming more common for online doctorates to be able to be completed 100% online.
In a research field, the work in a doctorate is primarily intellectual and therefore doesn’t require on-site, hands-on experience. However, a field such as Chemistry has the option for physical research as well as theoretical. In these types of doctorates, a yearly residency may be necessary to complete the requirements for the degree. Technology has affected even these degrees, however, with the developing world of online labs.
How important is it for my online doctorate to be accredited?
When acquiring an online doctorate, not only should cost be a factor, but accreditation should be as well. The quality of a doctorate is monitored by accreditation. An applicant having an accredited Ph.D. may make a difference for an employer when looking to hire new employees.
Graduate programs may have regional accreditation and also a programmatic accreditation for the specific doctorate being offered. If one is looking to enter an academic field, having an accredited degree is very important as the accreditation will be noticed. Because serious academics usually have accredited degrees, one’s circle of colleagues and classmates will be of a higher caliber in an accredited degree program.
Only programs with accreditation can grant federal aid, which should also be considered. Another aspect of accreditation to consider is that transferring credits from one institution to another may only be possible if the credits were acquired from an accredited institution.
If you are already employed, and your doctorate will be covered by your employer, often the doctorate will have to be accredited in order to qualify for tuition reimbursement. In sum, advancing one’s career and financing one’s doctorate will both be affected by ensuring that a doctorate is accredited.
What are the usual prerequisites to enter an online doctoral program?
Most online doctoral programs require applicants to have a bachelor’s and master’s degree. These degrees can sometimes be in a related field, or some doctoral programs may require applicants to have a degree in the field they are entering.
A specific GPA requirement usually needs to be met in order to be accepted into a doctoral program. Another prerequisite may be work or experience in the field of doctoral studies. Entering an online doctoral program may require particular prerequisites in working with online technology.
Testing may be required throughout the doctoral program to ensure a student’s aptitude in their field of research. Applying for an online doctoral program will generally require the following:
- Application Fee – usually between $50-$100
- Application Form
- Resume – including all work experience and education
- Statement of Purpose – including generous information about why the doctorate is a good fit
- Standardized Testing – usually, the GRE or the GMAT or a standardized test in one’s field may be required.
- Letters of Recommendation – often, three letters will be required from former professors or colleagues in the field of study that one wishes to enter
- Official Transcripts – from all colleges and universities attended
- TOEFL – often required for those whose first language is not English
Related Links:
- BEST ACCREDITED ONLINE PH.D. PROGRAMS
- MOST AFFORDABLE ONLINE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (DBA)
- FASTEST ONLINE DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS
