A doctoral degree is a level of education few achieve. Many who are talented enough and willing to put in the effort to earn a PhD or other doctorate are unable to do so because of time or financial constraints. Once you have completed your undergraduate, and perhaps, a masters degree and entered the world of work, the time and money necessary to continue doctoral level studies become difficult to find.
Fortunately, the growth of online education has embraced graduate studies, as well as the bread and butter lower level degrees. Online delivery, in fact, is well suited to doctoral programs. Because classroom work, at least in the traditional sense, is not always integral (if necessary at all) in the pursuit of a doctorate, remote supervision by your adviser and the committee is completely feasible as you work toward your degree.
Online PhD programs can help make doctoral study easier to fit into your schedule. While they are convenient, the selection of PhD programs that are available online is considerably more limited than those available from a traditional brick and mortar university. In addition, many such programs may not be accredited, which can be particularly important if you are hoping to use your doctorate in a field that requires licensure — such as psychology — or to enter the world of academia.
Before choosing an online PhD program, do some research. Make sure that once you’ve put in the work — and spent the money — that you will be able to use your degree in the way you want to. If accreditation is important, make sure that the accrediting body is one that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Ralph’s Casa de Accreditation is probably not a recognized accrediting body.
Below is a list of schools that offer the least expensive online programs for certain doctoral degrees. Not all may be relevant to what you are looking for, but the main criteria here are low-cost and online delivery. The costs were compiled by GetEducated.com, and represent only a few of the available programs out there. Different online programs may be available for your doctorate interests, but those on the list below are the least expensive doctoral level programs that offer online delivery.
- Texas Tech University (TX)
School of Allied Health Sciences – Graduate Transitional Doctor of Physical TherapyEst. Cost: $8,100
- Des Moines University (IA)
Department of Physical Therapy – Graduate Transitional Doctor of Physical TherapyEst. Cost: $12,768
- Valdosta State University (GA)
College of Arts & Sciences-Graduate Doctor of Public AdministrationEst. Cost: $16,514
- University of West Georgia (GA)
College of Education-Graduate Doctor of Education in School ImprovementEst. Cost: $19,020
- Utica College (NY)
School of Health Professions & Education – Graduate Transitional Doctor of Physical TherapyEst. Cost: $19,820
- Mississippi State University (MS)
Bagley College of Engineering – Graduate Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering/Industrial EngineeringEst. Cost: $20,568
- Mississippi State University (MS)
Bagley College of Engineering – Graduate Doctor of Philosophy in Computer EngineeringEst. Cost: $21,480
- Dakota State University (SD)
School of Information Systems – Graduate Doctor of Science in Information SystemsEst. Cost: $22,448
- Regis University of Colorado
Loretto Heights School of Nursing-Graduate Doctor of Nursing PracticeEst. Cost: $24,645
- Ball State University (IN)
College of Applied Sciences & Technology – Graduate Doctorate of Nursing PracticeEst. Cost: $25,168
- East Tennessee State University (TN)
College of Nursing – Graduate Doctor of Nursing Practice / Doctor of Philosophy in NursingEst. Cost: $27,440
- Boston University (MA)
Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences – Graduate Transitional Doctor of Physical TherapyEst. Cost: $29,310
- Texas Tech University (TX)
College of Arts & Science – Graduate Doctor of Philosophy in Technical Communication and RhetoricEst. Cost: $29,445
- Kaplan University (IA)
Concord Law School – Graduate Executive Juris DoctorEst. Cost: $29,952
- Boise State University (ID)
College of Education – Graduate Doctor of Education in Educational TechnologyEst. Cost: $31,416
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (TN)
College of Health, Education & Professional Studies – Graduate Transitional Doctor of Physical TherapyEst. Cost: $32,600
- Boston University (MA)
College of Fine Arts – Graduate Doctor of Musical Arts in Music EducationEst. Cost: $33,344
- Grand Canyon University (AZ)
College of Education – Graduate Doctor of Education in Organizational LeadershipEst. Cost: $37,500
- Capitol College (MD)
Graduate School of Computer Science & Information Technology Doctor of Science in Information AssuranceEst. Cost: $37,536
- Kaplan University (IA)
Concord Law School – Graduate Juris DoctorEst. Cost: $39,936
- Colorado State University (CO)
College of Engineering – Graduate Doctorate of Philosophy in Systems EngineeringEst. Cost: $40,194