Earning a doctorate places you in the small percentage of people who have completed the highest credential in education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals with doctoral degrees earn higher salaries and experience lower unemployment rates than people with other levels of 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.
Can you get a Ph.D. online? Yes, you can. In fact, pursuing your doctorate online offers a cost-effective and flexible way to earn your degree.
Featured Online Doctorate Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Affordable Online Doctoral and Ph.D Programs
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates 2025
Capitol Technology University
- Laurel, MD
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
A small school with a technology focus, Capitol Technology University is located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It offers more than 40 online doctorates in subjects such as aeronautical science, machine learning, and intelligence and global security. More than 14% of students are veterans, active-duty military personnel, or National Guard members.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $950
Out of State | $950
Total Program Cost (Typical): $60,000
Funding: Capitol Tech offers a $100-per-credit discount for active-duty military members, a $50-per-credit discount for retired military members, and a 20% "Hometown Heroes" discount for students who serve their local communities.
Why Students Choose Capitol Tech:
- Low Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Capitol Tech employs one faculty member for every 12 students.
- Diversity in Technology Emphasis: The university hosts clubs and associations for Black engineers, young women of color in engineering, and LGBTQ+ students in STEM fields.
- Technology Focus: Capitol Tech's exclusive academic focus is technology and leadership.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Work Experience Required: Prospective doctoral students should have at least five years of directly related work experience before applying.
- Master's Degree Required: To apply for any doctoral program except the Ph.D. in technology, you must hold a relevant master's degree.
- On-Campus Requirements: Some programs require you to attend in-person experiences in addition to your online coursework.
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates 2025
Clemson University
- Clemson, SC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Clemson University is a land-grant university in South Carolina, serving around 30,000 students. It offers 12 online or hybrid doctorates in subjects such as nursing, teaching, genetics, and parks and tourism. Clemson's military heritage stretches back to 1916, and its diversity initiatives include a women's roundtable and the Men of Impact Summit for men from historically marginalized populations.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $840-$1,035
Out of State | $840-$1,035
Total Program Cost (Typical): $30,150-$74,500
Funding: Clemson provides teaching assistantships, fellowships, awards, and grants to help cover tuition costs. Check with your program's staff to learn which aid programs may apply to online learners.
Why Students Choose Clemson:
- Grad 360° for Doctoral Students: This support and development program focuses on nine core areas to help doctoral and graduate students build career-ready skills and develop new competencies.
- Low Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Clemson features a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
- Doctoral Dissertation Completion Grants: Clemson offers grants to help doctoral students of modest means finish their dissertations and their degrees.
Know Before You Enroll:
- On-Campus Requirements: Three of Clemson's doctorates are hybrid degrees that require short, in-person learning experiences.
- Professional Experience: Some degrees require students to spend a number of years working in the field before applying.
- Specific Educational Background: Some degrees require a specific academic background to be accepted.
Percent Online Enrollment
44%
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 2025
Concordia University-Chicago
- River Forest, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Concordia University Chicago, a school of around 1,200 students, offers online doctorates in leadership, business, education, and exercise science. Some of these programs lead to educational licensure or endorsement in Illinois or Ohio. Select degrees offer an array of concentrations to help students focus their coursework and research.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $469-$775
Out of State | $469-$775
Total Program Cost (Typical): $28,600-$52,000
Funding: Concordia-Chicago offers a substantial tuition discount to select doctoral students who utilize financial aid.
Why Students Choose Concordia-Chicago:
- Diverse Student Body: At Concordia-Chicago, 60% of students identify as non-white, with 39% identifying as Latino/a and 13% as Black or African American.
- Ed.D. and Ph.D. Options: Some fields allow you to choose an Ed.D. or a Ph.D., depending on your professional goals.
- Generous Transfer Credit Policies: You may be able to transfer up to 50% of the credits required for an education-related Ph.D.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Christian University: Concordia-Chicago is a Christ-centered institution affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
- Required Test Scores: Some programs require submitting MAT or GRE scores for admission.
- Mentorship and Residencies: Some doctorates expect you to complete a mentorship and participate in on-campus residencies.
Percent Online Enrollment
86%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates 2025
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
In Washington, D.C., George Washington University enrolls 26,000 students and offers more than 100 online programs, including 12 doctorates in nursing and engineering. The university also offers three hybrid doctoral programs in education, engineering, and healthcare.
Cost per Credit:
In State |$1,530-$1,750
Out of State | $1,530-$1,750
Total Program Cost (Typical): $51,000-$85,000
Funding: GW offers grants, fellowships, scholarships, and military benefits to help doctoral students pay for their programs.
Why Students Choose GW:
- Veteran Friendly: GW is a Yellow Ribbon school that provides extensive support services for veterans and their dependents.
- Apply Under DACA: If you are applying under DACA or have no immigration status, you do not have to submit English proficiency exam scores or a financial certificate.
- Student Emergency Loan Fund: GW's emergency loan fund allows students who need financial assistance to apply for up to $2,600 per semester.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Standardized Tests: Some programs require standardized test scores to apply.
- Rolling Admission: Many doctoral programs have rolling admission deadlines but start dates only in the fall and spring.
Percent Online Enrollment
25%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates 2025
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Keiser University offers 11 doctoral programs in online or hybrid formats, including doctorates in education, health science, nursing, psychology, and criminal justice. The school offers one degree, a doctorate in business administration, in Spanish, and the remainder of its programs in English.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $1,375
Out of State | $1,375
Total Program Cost (Typical): $60,500-$82,500
Funding: Keiser's financial aid staff can help you apply for private student loans, public loans, or military and veteran benefits.
Why Students Choose Keiser:
- Students with eligible transfer credits can complete their doctorates in as little as 24-36 months.
- Students take one class at a time, each offered in an accelerated, eight-week term.
- Keiser does not require the GRE for admission to any of its doctoral education programs, including its Ph.D. in instructional design and technology.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Approximately 70% of Keiser's graduate students are enrolled exclusively in distance education courses.
- Around 7% of Keiser's graduate students receive military benefits.
- The school reports that after graduation, 95% of Keiser's alums were placed in jobs in their fields or related fields.
Percent Online Enrollment
52%
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 2025
Mississippi State University
- Mississippi State, MS
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Mississippi State University offers more than 100 online programs, including doctorates in education, engineering, and agriculture. Some degrees can be completed with as few as 40 credits, while others require 68 semester hours. MS State provides a program coordinator and online center as dedicated liaisons between off-campus students and the university.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $559
Out of State | $559
Total Program Cost (Typical): $22,360-$38,012
Funding: MSU offers in-state tuition to all online students along with the Distance Makes a Difference Scholarship, which provides $1,000 to qualified distance learners. Some programs also offer competitive fellowships of up to $15,000 per year.
Why Students Choose MS State:
- MS State does not require the GMAT or GRE for admission to its online graduate programs.
- The university offers scholarships to veterans to help cover costs not paid by the GI Bill and other military-related benefits.
- Online MS State students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher receive an invitation to join the Omega Nu Lambda national collegiate honor society.
Know Before You Enroll:
- For admission to most doctoral programs, you must have a minimum GPA — usually 3.0 or 3.4 — in all graduate coursework.
- Some programs require you to download and watch videos of on-campus class sessions as part of your coursework.
- In some programs, you must prepare and submit an article to a peer-reviewed journal and present at an academic conference before defending your dissertation.
Percent Online Enrollment
45%
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 2025
Northern Illinois University
- Dekalb, IL
- 4 years
- Online
What Sets It Apart:
At Northern Illinois University, students can choose from three online or hybrid doctorates in education and one in nursing. Students with a master of science in nursing can earn a doctorate in nursing with as few as 33 graduate credits. NIU's education doctorates require 42-63 credits.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $550-$750
Out of State | $550-$750
Total Program Cost (Typical): $24,750-$34,650
Funding: NIU offers the Samuel and Adelaide Rockwood Scholarship Fund, which can help cover tuition costs, along with the Huskie Installment Plan, which can help spread expenses across the semester.
Why Students Choose NIU:
- You can choose a specific cognate in which to concentrate your doctoral-level studies.
- If you hold an Ed.S. in educational administration, you can apply some of those credits toward the requirements for your Ed.D.
- Around 95% of NIU's doctor of nursing practice graduates report securing a job within one year.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Some online doctorates have in-person or synchronous online coursework components.
- Courses generally run 16 weeks in the fall and spring and eight weeks in the summer.
- Doctoral programs do not require the GRE but may ask that applicants have at least three years of experience working in the field.
Percent Online Enrollment
67%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Best Affordable Online Ph.D. Programs and Doctorates 2025
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 years
- Online
What Sets It Apart:
Nova Southeastern University, the largest nonprofit institution in the country to be designated a Hispanic-serving institution, offered the first distance education doctorate in the U.S. Today, the school offers 17 online doctorates, including degrees in education, health sciences, and computer science.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $737-$1,597
Out of State | $737-$1,597
Total Program Cost (Typical): $87,835-$102,208
Funding: You can complete an annual scholarship profile to be considered for all of NSU's scholarships. The school also accepts military benefits and grants.
Why Students Choose NSU:
- NSU enrolls 22,000 students, of which 62% are racial or ethnic minorities.
- The university sponsors over 250 research projects, with around 100 receiving corporate support.
- Veterans and military members can receive academic and financial support, help with childcare, and access to health and wellness services.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Start dates and application deadlines vary among degree programs.
- Some degree programs, such as the doctor of physical therapy, require on-campus learning experiences.
- Each program has distinct admissions requirements surrounding previous education, work experience, and academic performance.
Percent Online Enrollment
52%
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 2025
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Texas Tech University, a school with upwards of 40,000 students and 220,000 alums, offers 16 online or hybrid doctorates. These degrees include agricultural education, higher education research, personal financial planning, and technical communication and rhetoric.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $450-$800
Out of State | $450-$800
Total Program Cost (Typical): $28,350-$60,000
Funding: Texas Tech offers scholarships and fellowships, including Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowships, to help doctoral candidates reduce tuition costs.
Why Students Choose Texas Tech:
- Texas Tech permits online students to participate in study abroad programs.
- Online students can access free virtual tutoring, the university career center, and synchronous online writing assistance.
- Students can receive extensive online support for health, safety, and wellness.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Online coursework may include mandatory synchronous meetings via Zoom.
- Some doctoral programs only offer one start date annually.
- GRE scores are not typically required but could help cover deficiencies in other areas of your application.
Percent Online Enrollment
63%
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 2025
University at Buffalo
- Buffalo, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The University at Buffalo enrolls almost 32,000 students and offers 11 fully online doctoral degree programs, including nursing, education, information science, and social welfare. You can choose between practice-oriented doctorates like an Ed.D. and research-based degrees like a Ph.D.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $800-$1,047
Out of State | $1,092-$1,281
Total Program Cost (Typical): $39,000-$60,000
Funding: UB's funding options for doctoral programs include fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and grants.
Why Students Choose UB:
- UB employs an inclusive pedagogy to help everyone feel empowered and respected.
- "Pathway to the Ph.D. — Preparing for Success" is a cohort-based microcredential that helps early-stage Ph.D. students succeed in their programs.
- UB launched the Ph.D. Excellence Initiative to recruit and retain an exceptional and diverse Ph.D. student body, retain those students, and prepare them to face real-world challenges.
Know Before You Enroll:
- A few online doctorates have part-time and full-time options, but most online programs are only part-time.
- If your program requires testing, you need a grade of B or better in undergraduate coursework and acceptable standardized test scores.
- The university awarded 338 doctorates in 2024 — around the same number they have awarded annually since 2008.
Percent Online Enrollment
44%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric — affordability — accounts for 60% of our formula on our most affordable rankings. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This ranking is from 2025. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Price Check
According to the NCES, the average tuition and fees for graduate programs in the U.S. rose a whopping 154% between 2000 and 2022.
What Is a Doctoral Degree?
A doctoral degree is the most advanced academic or professional degree in a specific field. A doctorate can validate your mastery of a particular discipline. While a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) may be the most recognizable doctorate, many schools offer other kinds of doctoral programs as well. Below are some of the most commonly offered doctoral programs.
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.): This practitioner-oriented degree program focuses on applied knowledge rather than theoretical research in education. The program usually takes three years to complete and is often offered online.
- Juris Doctor (JD): Most U.S. states require a person to hold a JD to practice law. The program typically requires three years of study and is rarely offered online.
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): A professional doctorate for business leaders and strategists, the DBA emphasizes practical research, writing, and presentation skills.
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH): For public health practitioners, a DrPH may stand independently or supplement a Ph.D. or doctor of medicine (MD). This degree may emphasize domestic or international public health. It can take 4-9 years to complete part time, and many programs are offered online.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): This degree prepares registered nurses (RNs) for careers in leadership, research, or academia. The DNP also meets the academic qualifications necessary for a nurse to become a nurse practitioner or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
Top Online Doctoral Programs
Why You Should Consider Online Ph.D. Programs
- Online Ph.D. programs typically offer more flexibility than on-campus programs, which makes it easier to balance your studies with other obligations.
- Some online doctoral programs may be less expensive than in-person programs.
- According to the BLS, in 2023, holders of doctoral degrees earned a median annual salary of $118,456 compared to $80,236 for people with a bachelor's degree.
- In 2024, the unemployment rate for people with only a bachelor's degree was over 100% higher than that of doctorate holders, per the BLS.
- In an online Ph.D. program, you can conduct specialized research and work toward becoming an expert in a field you're passionate about.
The Importance of Accreditation in Online Doctorate and Ph.D. Programs
Accreditation ensures that your college meets an established standard of learning and awards recognized credentials. Attending an accredited school also means you can apply forfederal student aid.
Institutional Accreditation
Schools with institutional accreditation have been evaluated and approved by a regional or national accrediting agency. These schools have met financial, governance, academic, and other requirements for accreditation, which are vital for schools at every level of study.
Programmatic Accreditation
Individual programs within a college or university may receive programmatic accreditation from a program-specific agency, such as the American Bar Association or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Careers that require state licensure usually require completion of an accredited program.
How Much Does a Doctoral Degree Cost?
According to NCES data, the average annual tuition and fees for graduate programs amounted to $20,513 in 2021-2022. Private nonprofit institutions cost an average of $29,931 annually, while public universities had a lower average yearly cost of $12,596.
Other factors can affect the cost of an online Ph.D. or doctoral degree, including 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 bysubmitting the FAFSAand applying for scholarships and fellowships. Many Ph.D. students also receive a stipend or tuition remission for teaching or research work.
Careers You Can Get With a Doctorate
A doctorate can open the door to many professions, including psychologist, medical doctor, and college professor. The degree can also help you move into leadership roles in business, healthcare, and education.
Many jobs that require a doctorate are in demand. For example, the BLS projects jobs for veterinarians to grow by 19% from 2023-2033. A doctoral degree can also lead to high-paying careers. The BLS reports that in 2023 the median annual salary for physicians and surgeons was over $239,000, and the median annual salary for dentists was $179,210 .
While you can pursue some doctorates 100% online, many require at least some on-campus or in-person study. The table below provides salary information on careers that require doctoral degrees, regardless of how they are earned.
12 Popular Jobs That Typically Require a Doctorate
| Job |
Median Annual Salary (2024) |
Projected Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
| Physicians and Surgeons |
$239,200 |
4% |
| Dentists |
$179,210 |
5% |
| Physicists |
$166,290 |
7% |
| Lawyers |
$151,160 |
5% |
| Pharmacists |
$137,480 |
5% |
| Veterinarians |
$125,510 |
19% |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators |
$103,960 |
3% |
| Medical Scientists |
$100,590 |
11% |
| Psychologists |
$94,310 |
7% |
| Postsecondary Teachers |
$83,980 |
8% |
| Historians |
$74,050 |
6% |
| Anthropologists and Archaeologists |
$64,910 |
8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
5 Tips for Choosing the Cheapest Online Doctoral Program
Want to figure out which online doctoral program is best for you? Check out the five essential tips below.
1. Understand Your Goals
If you're considering an online doctoral program, you should understand your professional goals and know what kinds of jobs you want to qualify for after graduation.
Not all careers require a doctorate; however, a doctorate can provide you with better salary potential and more leadership opportunities, especially in fields like education and public health.
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, education, law, counseling, or business management, 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 doctoral programs will cost far more or less than others. Some programs may be fully funded, making them highly competitive.
Submitting the FAFSA can help you find federal financial aid you might qualify for, such as grants, scholarships, and low-interest loans. You should also research institutional grants, external scholarships and fellowships, and private loans.
4. Reach Out to Faculty, Students, and Alumni
Consider contacting faculty members, current students, and recent alums of the graduate program you're interested in. This can help you to 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.
Use your research on program outcomes, doctoral specializations, and faculty mentors to identify the best programs for you. Then, double-check that you meet the admission requirements, and start working on your application.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cheapest Online Doctoral Programs
What is the cheapest way to get a Ph.D.?
Because doctoral degrees take 4-8 years on average to earn, many Ph.D.s are inherently expensive. To help cover the cost of your Ph.D. education, start by applying for financial aid.
Some doctoral programs offer fellowships that cover tuition and provide a stipend to offset living expenses. You can also apply for scholarships and grants to help pay for a Ph.D. program. Finally, researching and comparing the cost of 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 — as long as they're accredited. An online program with the same accreditation as an in-person program will have been subjected to the same vetting process to ensure that it meets rigorous quality standards.
You can check a school's accreditation status by using the directories on the Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation websites.
What is the easiest and fastest Ph.D. to get online?
In fields like healthcare, business, and education, you can earn a doctorate online in three years or less. For example, a DBA program typically takes three years to complete, as do many DNP andEd.D. programs.
You may also consider applying to accelerated online doctoral programs. These programs can expedite the time it takes to earn your doctorate.
How long does an online Ph.D. program take?
The time it takes to complete an online Ph.D. program 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 eight 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 equal to $20,513 per year in 2021-2022, according to the NCES. You can save money by choosing an affordable online doctoral program and researching financial aid opportunities.
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