Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2023

An Overview of the Doctorate Degree

Why get an online doctorate degree?

Many doctoral candidates have already reached more advanced stages in their career. The online doctorate is a great way to continue in your education while remaining active in your career. Online doctoral degree programs are often tailored to the scheduling needs of working professionals. This means that you may be able to complete your online doctorate while still earning a living. This can help offset your dependence on financial aid options and, ultimately, reduce your student loan debt.

What kinds of online doctoral degree programs are there?

Online doctoral degree programs are offered in a variety of disciplines including business administration, health sciences, computer science, and more. Some doctoral degree programs do not naturally lend themselves to online learning, but for those that do, it may be possible to choose from a variety of affordable online doctorate degrees.

What can you do with a doctoral degree?

Earning a doctorate qualifies you to work at the highest levels in your field including executive leadership business, consultation in public affairs, work as a university professor, or a career spent in research. Depending on your area of concentration, your online doctoral program could allow you to contribute to important economic research, participate in major long-term public health surveys, or provide R&D leadership to a major consumer brand.

What are the admission requirements for an online doctorate degree program?

The admission requirements for online doctoral degree programs are the same as those for a traditional doctorate degree. The bachelor’s degree is typically the basic threshold for entry into a doctoral program. Most reputable online doctoral degree programs will also require a strong academic track record and a minimum undergraduate GPA. You are not required to earn a master’s degree before gaining entry into a doctoral degree program. However, some doctoral programs may recognize these graduate credits. Starting with some credits earned could reduce the time and money you’ll spend on your PhD. In other words, if you already have a master’s degree, you could choose from an array of more affordable online doctorate degree programs.

How much does a doctoral degree cost?

The cost of a doctoral degree is extremely variant. Most online doctoral programs fall on the higher end of the cost spectrum and can range from roughly $30-$40K per year for in-state students to upwards of $60,000 to $100,000 per year for out of state students. That said, the most affordable online doctoral programs actually offer online learning opportunities for as little as $5,000 to $9,000 per year.

Can I get an affordable online doctorate degree?

Yes, you can absolutely get an affordable online doctorate degree. A growing number of highly reputable universities now provide partially or fully online doctoral programs. For many doctoral students, one of the biggest challenges is balancing the enormous commitment of time spent on research and coursework with work, family and home-life demands.

Earning an online doctorate makes it possible to save money on expenses like housing, transportation, and certain campus fees. Online doctoral programs also make it possible to continue working in your field, which means you can complete your degree program while still earning a living. This can ultimately reduce your dependence on student loan debt.

An affordable, quality education from an accredited online doctorate program is within your reach. Our in-depth, comprehensive guide to affordable degree programs will give you even more tips on making a doctorate degree as affordable as possible.

How We Rank the Most Affordable Online PhD Programs

In most cases, the most affordable online doctoral degree programs will be those offered by universities in your state. Online students who attend public universities enjoy access to in-state tuition rates just like traditional on-campus doctoral candidates.

That’s why we’ve ranked these online doctorate programs by placing the highest weight on in-state tuition rates. The tuition price listed below may not reflect the lower rate extended to in-state residents. Click on each school to learn more about in state tuition discounts. Other factors included in our ranking are Influence–the measure of a school’s excellence based on the real-world impact of its professors, students, and alumni; and the percentage of full-time students enrolled in online degree programs at each institution.

Below is a mix of both public and private universities offering the most affordable online doctoral degree programs on the higher education landscape.