Most Affordable Online Doctoral and PhD Programs in 2025

Cabrini University offers two affordable doctorate degrees: the PhD in organization development and change and a doctorate of education in educational leadership. Both are offered in a hybrid format, meaning some components are completed online and others in person. Many courses are offered in a blended learning format, so students complete some class sessions in person and others virtually. The degrees also offer a great deal of flexibility, especially in terms of when in-person class sessions are offered, so working students can balance their degree with a full-time career. In fact, all courses in the PhD in organization development and change happen during one weekend each month. Students complete coursework between these monthly classes, adhering to the scholar-practitioner model. Coursework for the doctorate of education is on a weekly basis, in a hybrid format.

Program Highlights:

PhD or DBA in Organization Development and Change

• Credits: 73
• Length: 3 years
• Cost: $830/credit
• Mode: Hybrid
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

EdD in Educational Leadership

• Credits: 54
• Length: 2 years
• Cost: $830/credit
• Mode: Hybrid
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Ashland University offers five flexible doctoral degrees. The first two are doctorates of leadership, with traditional or executive tracks available. In the traditional program, students complete coursework on leadership in K-12 over the course of three years. The executive program is accelerated, allowing students to graduate in as little as two years. In either program, students take courses in a hybrid format. The blended courses mean most classes are online, but almost every course has an in-person component, usually in the evenings or on the weekends. The other three doctoral degrees are housed in the nursing school. The three DNPs include family practice, health systems leadership, and advanced practice. It is possible to complete all three online, though they all have different coursework and application requirements.

Program Highlights:

Doctorate in Leadership Studies, Traditional

• Credits: 59
• Length: 2-3 years
• Cost: $780/credit
• Mode: Hybrid
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Doctorate in Nursing Practice

• Credits: 38-77
• Length: 2-3 years
• Cost: $770/credit
• Mode: Hybrid
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Fort Hays State University offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with two entry options. The first option is comprised of 75 credits and intended for those who hold a bachelor's degree in nursing. In this program, students complete more clinical hours and take some foundational courses that would usually be covered in an MSN program. The second option is a 33 credit MSN to DNP program. With this option, students need to take fewer courses, and they can move right into their doctoral coursework. In both programs, students also complete a doctoral project that is mentored by a faculty member. Both programs are available fully online. Clinical requirements are completed in person, at a hospital or healthcare facility near the student.

Program Highlights:

Doctorate of Nursing Practice

• Credits: 33-75
• Length: 1-4 years
• Cost: $260.96/credit in-state | $669.57/credit out-of-state
• Mode: Online
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Nurses who are considering getting their doctorate degree will want to know more about the DNP program from Texas A&M's Corpus Christi campus. Though the program is housed on the Corpus Christi campus, it can be completed online, offering much needed flexibility for those with a full-time job or other life obligations. To make it even easier to balance with work, the DNP is designed to be taken on a part-time basis. Students can choose between two DNP concentrations: the executive leadership track and the nurse practitioner track. The executive leadership focus is for students looking to enter healthcare administration or nursing leadership. The NP focus is for those who want to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner in Texas. In both tracks, students must also complete a DNP final project. As the degree is considered post-master's, it's for those with a MSN in the field. At this time, there is no BSN to DNP option.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

• Credits: 40
• Length: 3 years
• Cost: $271/credit in-state | 592/credit out-of-state
• Mode: Online
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

The University of West Georgia offers four doctoral degrees, which are the doctorates in higher education administration, nursing education, education with a focus on professional counseling and supervision, and education with a focus on school improvement. For all four degrees, all coursework can be taken online. The doctorate project or dissertation, depending on the program, can also be completed virtually. Students who select the school improvement degree also choose between nine concentrations: school counseling, educational leadership, K-12 online learning, instructional technology, reading, media specialist, teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), special education, and early childhood education. For all four programs, applicants should already have an advanced degree and work experience in the field of education at the time of applying.

Program Highlights:

Doctorate of Higher Education Administration

• Credits: 60
• Length: 4 years
• Cost: $241/credit
• Mode: Online
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Doctorate of Nursing Education

• Credits: 60
• Length: 4 years
• Cost: $241/credit
• Mode: Online
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Doctorate of Education in Professional Counseling and Supervision

• Credits: 39
• Length: 2 years
• Cost: $241/credit
• Mode: Online
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Doctorate in Education for School Improvement

• Credits: 60
• Length: 3 years
• Cost: $241/credit
• Mode: Online
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges