Top 15 Cheapest Online PhD Programs in 2022

Do you want to earn the PhD you’ve always dreamed of without the commitment of full-time study? We understand: life is expensive, and pausing work isn’t always feasible for everyone. An online PhD is a fantastic option, as it allows you to easily juggle study, work, and family commitments. Of course, just like other programs, online doctorates come with tuition and other fees, which can be pricey. However, these costs vary wildly, and there are plenty of cheap PhD programs around.

Here are the 15 cheapest online PhD programs in 2022 that offer you the opportunity to pursue a valuable qualification without breaking the bank!  

Related Reading: Cheapest Online Master’s Degrees

Top 15 Affordable Online Doctoral Programs

Rank	Program	School	Location	Annual Tuition
1	Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)	Missouri State University	Springfield (MO)	$8,961
2	Doctor of Acupuncture	Pacific College of Health and Science	New York (NY)	$9,630
3	Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Agriculture Education/ Higher Education	Texas Tech University	Lubbock (TX)	$9,990
4	Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies	North Carolina A&T State University	Greensboro (NC)	$12,582
5	PhD in Computer Science	Colorado Technical University	Colorado Springs (CO)	$13,393
6	Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)	Indiana State University	Terre Haute (IN)	$15,990
7	Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction	New Mexico State University	Las Cruces (NM)	$17,551
8	Doctor of Public Health / Global Health Leadership	Indiana University Online	Bloomington (IN)	$23,850
9	Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)	University of Massachusetts – Amherst	Amherst (MA)	$27,000
10	EdD in Higher Education Administration	University of Wyoming	Laramie (WY)	$27,200
11	Doctor of Philosophy in Polymer & Fiber Engineering	Auburn University	Auburn (AL)	$28,495
12	PhD in Nursing with a specialization in Family and family-related research	Hampton University	Hampton (VA)	$33,360
13	PhD in Computer and Information Science	University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia (PA)	$33,604
14	Doctor of Education in Community Care & Counseling	Liberty University	Lynchburg (VA)	$35,209
15	Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy	Liberty University	Lynchburg (VA)	$37,790

1. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

 

• Annual tuition: $8,961
• Missouri State University

The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Missouri State University is one of the cheapest online PhD programs in nursing. It offers a great deal of flexibility, including the choice between synchronous and asynchronous delivery and full-time or part-time learning. The program provides a clear overview of modern scientific methods and practices, entrepreneurship, finance management principles, and health policy for senior nursing professionals.

2. Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc)

 

• Annual tuition: $9,630
• Pacific College of Health and Science

This online program is designed for anyone who has already completed a master’s degree in acupuncture. It aims to give students a deeper understanding of Chinese medicine and biomedicine in general, and acupuncture in particular. It will also sharpen your knowledge of healthcare ethics, build leadership skills, and enhance your problem-solving capabilities. This is one of the cheapest online doctorate programs available.

3. Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Agriculture Education/Higher Education Administration

 

• Annual tuition: $9,990
• Texas Tech University

This doctorate from Texas Tech University is a cheap online doctoral program in education and is delivered entirely online. To be eligible for the program, you need relevant professional experience. For the Higher Education specialization, you’ll need professional experience in a post-secondary institution.

The Agriculture Education stream of the program will help you develop critical thinking in agricultural research, statistics, and communication.

4. Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies

 

• Annual tuition: $12,582
• North Carolina A&T State University

This is an interdisciplinary program for master’s degree holders who want to research sociology and behavior to learn more about leadership qualities. The program requires 42 program credits and 12 dissertation credits, so 54 credits in total. This doctorate degree is relevant to various industries and disciplines, and upon successful completion, you’ll be qualified for a range of roles in consultancy, research, and education.

5. PhD in Computer Science

 

• Annual tuition: $13,393
• Colorado Technical University

This 100-credit program in computer science provides a modern, relevant approach to computing. With deep knowledge in a specialized area of computer science, you’ll be equipped to predict future trends in the field and make significant contributions to the sector. This program will help you to become an expert in computer design, security, and processes and is one of the most affordable online PhD programs in computer science. Classes are flexible, so you’ll be able to arrange your studies around your schedule.

6. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

 

• Annual tuition: $15,990
• Indiana State University

You need a master’s qualification in Nursing to be eligible for Indiana State University’s online DNP program. This program doesn’t involve writing a dissertation — you can complete the entire in 37 credit hours. It is designed to develop and sharpen your knowledge of care delivery, ethics, leadership, and decision-making. The program will also help you develop critical thinking skills based on a scientific outlook to providing care to patients.

7. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction

 

• Annual tuition: $17,551
• New Mexico State University

The C&I (Curriculum and Instruction) online doctorate at New Mexico State University is a generalist doctoral qualification. You can choose to specialize in topics such as multicultural teaching, early childhood education, education and technology, cultural studies, and critical pedagogies. The program also offers the option to choose independent courses to enhance your particular area of study.

8. Doctor of Public Health / Global Health Leadership

 

• Annual tuition: $29,700

• Indiana University Online

This doctoral qualification specializing in global and public health is suitable for students all over the world and taught with a global curriculum by a global faculty. The program takes in two cohorts, one with 7 years of work experience following completion of a master’s degree, while the second cohort is for less experienced students. The program is aimed at professionals in active roles in the public health field and can be completed in 45 credit hours.

 

9. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

 

• Annual tuition: $27,000
• University of Massachusetts – Amherst

The University of Massachusetts’ online doctorate program in Nursing Practice allows professionals to enhance their practical skills and knowledge of medical care. It also helps them to think critically about advanced scientific knowledge in healthcare, analyze clinical results, and perfect their leadership skills while taking an evidence-based approach through the latest healthcare and nursing research.

10. Doctor of Philosophy in Polymer & Fiber Engineering

 

• Annual tuition: $28,495
• Auburn University

This is one of the few online doctoral specializations available for professionals in the field of chemical engineering. It is also one of the cheapest PhD programs in the discipline. It requires 30 course credits and 10 research credits for completion.

Specialization subjects include polymer chemistry and conduction in polymers, mechanics of materials made of textiles, fabrics used for producing paper, along with many others. Anyone with a master’s degree in a relevant field is eligible for the program.

11. Doctor of Public Health / Global Health Leadership

 

• Annual tuition: $29,700
• Indiana University Online

This doctoral qualification specializing in global and public health is suitable for students all over the world and taught with a global curriculum by a global faculty. The program takes in two cohorts, one with 7 years of work experience following completion of a master’s degree, while the second cohort is for less experienced students. The program is aimed at professionals in active roles in the public health field and can be completed in 45 credit hours.

 

10. EdD in Higher Education Administration

 

• Annual tuition: $27,200
• University of Wyoming

This doctoral program aims to create leaders in the education field that can effectively manage higher education institutions and handle challenges in the industry. You can complete the program with around 75 credits. This program can be completed almost entirely online, though it does require an initial campus visit.

11. Doctor of Philosophy in Polymer & Fiber Engineering

 

• Annual tuition: $28,495
• Auburn University

This is one of the few online doctoral specializations available for professionals in the field of chemical engineering. It is also one of the cheapest PhD programs in the discipline. It requires 30 course credits and 10 research credits for completion.

Specialization subjects include polymer chemistry and conduction in polymers, mechanics of materials made of textiles, fabrics used for producing paper, along with many others. Anyone with a master’s degree in a relevant field is eligible for the program.

 

12. PhD in Nursing Specialized in Family and Family-related Research

 

• Annual tuition: $33,360
• Hampton University

This online doctoral degree requires a minimum of 48 credits for completion. You’ll need a master’s degree in a relevant field to be eligible to apply for the program. This is a flexible program where students have the option to pursue areas of interest beyond the core subjects.

14. PhD in Computer and Information Science

 

• Annual tuition: $33,604
• University of Pennsylvania

This doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania not only deals with conventional computing theories but also offers the potential for specialization in advanced and emerging concepts. The program includes subjects such as Machine Learning (ML), Robotics, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Bioinformatics.

14. Doctor of Education in Community Care & Counseling

 

• Annual tuition: $33,915
• Liberty University

This is a 100% online and highly flexible program with 57 credit hours. The program specializes in diagnosis, treatment, and counseling, especially in the areas of family and marriage, as well as research and education methodology.

15. Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy

 

• Annual tuition: $37,790
• Liberty University

This online doctoral program can be completed in 60 credit hours and aims to equip students for the world of public policy. It encourages new research to improve and transform the public policy sector.

How to Make the Cheapest Online PhD Programs Even More Affordable

We’ve pulled together the cheapest PhD programs from respected institutions in a range of fields. However, even when looking at the most affordable online doctoral programs, tuition and other fees can add up. Luckily, there are many sources of financial support that can help.

Many universities and colleges provide financial aid to students. There are also scholarships, loans, and grants available for deserving students. You can even ask your employer to cover all or part of your tuition and other study expenses.

Key Takeaways

An online doctoral qualification not only helps you to advance your career but also encourages your own personal development. Critical thinking, leadership, and analytical skills are qualities necessary not only for a successful career but also in your personal life and relationships. You’ll find that pursuing one of the cheapest online PhD programs in 2022 will provide many benefits!

Do you want to get a PhD but aren’t sure if you qualify? Read why you may not need a master’s to get a PhD here.