Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in New Hampshire 2025

Students can pursue various doctoral degree programs without ever going to campus through online learning programs. With more and more schools offering online options, there are also more affordable costs at the doctoral level. Students can pursue cheap online doctoral programs in fields like business, education, healthcare, and engineering at numerous schools.

You can earn a doctoral degree around your schedule through an entirely online education. Continue reading to explore the cheapest online PhD programs offered across New Hampshire.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in New Hampshire

Many of the most affordable online colleges now offer online education programs at the doctoral level, with options in a wide variety of fields. There are online options for both professional doctorate programs (practice-focused) and Doctor of Philosophy programs (research- and academia-focused). The list below features the most affordable online doctoral programs offered across New Hampshire.

1. New England College

New England College offers an online Doctor of Education (EdD) program with three concentration options:

• educational leadership (fully online)
• Pre-K-12 leadership (hybrid)
• higher education (hybrid)

The hybrid programs deliver coursework online and include on-campus monthly sessions. The program runs in a cohort format, enabling students to progress and learn together. Students interested in education certifications can apply the EdD coursework towards certification requirements.

• Average cost per credit hour: $685
• Financial aid: Students can work with the school's financial aid office to identify and apply for internal and external awards.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. Colby-Sawyer College

Colby-Sawyer College offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program that can be completed in 20 to 32 months. Courses are delivered online through eight-week and 15-week terms, and coursework is asynchronous. Prior to the completion of the program, students are required to fulfill practicum hours of clinical practice (those with a master's degree can apply previous hours towards the requirement).

• Average cost per credit hour: $750
• Financial aid: Students can use both external and in-house financial aid upon completing the FAFSA, and can applll various nursing-specific awards from outside sources.
• Accreditation: NECHE

3. Rivier University

Rivier University offers two online doctoral programs: a DNP and a Doctor of Education (EdD). The DNP program is delivered online through 14-week terms and includes four in-person sessions over the course of the 2.5-year program.

Students can choose from a leadership or professional practice program track. The EdD in leadership and learning program is delivered fully online through seven-week class terms, and students move through the program in a cohort structure.

• Average cost per credit hour: $769 to 891
• Financial aid: Rivier University offers several in-house scholarships and grants, and students can also utilize a variety of outside aid.
• Accreditation: NECHE

4. University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) offers an accelerated online DNP program that is designed for nurses who have already completed a master's degree. Students can choose from several specialization tracks, including:

• general DNP
• adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (NP)
• clinical nurse leader
• primary care family NP
• psychiatric-mental health NP

Courses are delivered in eight-week terms. Students can transfer in qualifying prior coursework and complete the program in 1.5 to 2.5 years.

• Average cost per credit hour: $800 to $880
• Financial aid: In addition to external sources of aid, UNH has a variety of scholarships and other awards available for students.
• Accreditation: NECHE

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

Students can also earn online doctoral degrees at schools based outside of New Hampshire, some of which offer lower tuition costs to online students. The most affordable online doctoral programs offered by other top schools are summarized below.

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University (TTU) has four fully online programs, including an EdD in agricultural education and PhD options in:

• higher education
• educational philosophy
• personal financial planning

TTU is known for its innovative research and quality educational programs, which carry over into its online courses. Classes are delivered in eight-week terms, enabling students to complete more classes during each academic year and aim to shorten the length of their program.

• Average cost per credit hour: $334 to $880
• Financial aid: TTU offers a few in-house scholarships, and students can work with the financial aid office to search and apply for external awards.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University has an online EdD in leadership studies that integrates leadership, coaching, and the fundamentals of education. Students can choose from three focus areas:

• leadership studies
• health communication and leadership
• disaster preparedness and emergency management

Courses are delivered in seven-week terms, and students can begin the program several times during the year. Depending on enrollment, the program can be completed in two to 3.5 years.

• Average cost per credit hour: $411
• Financial aid: Online students are eligible for several scholarships offered through the school once they have completed the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University (MSU) has an online EdD, as well as multiple online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs. PhD options include community college leadership, computer science, engineering, and plant and soil science.

Online students receive the in-state tuition rate and can transfer in qualifying credits towards their program. MSU offers a career-focused interactive tool to aid students in choosing a program and does not require a graduate entrance exam (such as the GRE).

• Average cost per credit hour: $559 to $581
• Financial aid: Students can search hundreds of scholarships through MSU's in-house scholarship tool, and are automatically considered for a few awards.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Arizona State University

Arizona State University has multiple online doctoral programs, including:

• Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) - clinical or management focus
• Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
• Juris Doctor (JD)
• EdD in leadership and innovation
• Doctor of Professional Practice (DPP) in regulatory and clinical research management

Online courses are delivered through six-week or 7.5-week terms, enabling students to take more or fewer courses throughout their program as needed.

• Average cost per credit hour: $605
• Financial aid: Students can use ASU's scholarship tool to browse and apply for scholarships offered directly through the school.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Liberty University

Liberty University has a wide variety of online doctoral programs, with options in fields such as:

• counseling
• business administration
• criminal justice
• public policy
• education
• nursing
• law
• music

Liberty allows students to transfer a significant amount of prior coursework into their programs and offers credits for qualifying experiences or assessment scores. Full-time doctoral tuition is $610 per credit, and military and veteran tuition can be as low as $375 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $610 to $675 ($375 and up for military)
• Financial aid: Liberty offers several different financial aid award options, as well as a variety of discount opportunities.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Trident University International

Trident University International offers many flexible online doctoral programs, with options in business administration, health sciences, and education. Students can pursue a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or a professional doctorate in each of the three fields, depending on their interests and career goals.

Each online program is completed entirely through distance learning, with no in-person requirements, and students can transfer qualifying coursework into their doctoral program.

• Average cost per credit hour: $761 to $990
• Financial aid: Trident University offers in-house discounts and aid for military and veteran students, and works with students to acquire various external financial aid resources.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

In creating a list of the top online doctoral programs, our team wants to ensure that we present you with the most useful information about the top schools and programs. There are several criteria that we consider when choosing schools, which are discussed below.

• Accreditation: Each of the featured schools has institutional accreditation, which means that they have met educational outcome and quality standards set by an accrediting agency.
• Affordability: Featured schools are more affordable doctoral options, as each of them are less expensive compared to many online or on-campus doctoral programs.
• Program reputation: Each of the online programs discussed offer the same quality, faculty, and support services through online education as they do through comparable on-campus programs.
• Online student resources: Online students have access to the same faculty support and academic resources, as well as virtual tutoring available 24/7 at some schools.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in New Hampshire?

The cost of an online doctoral degree depends on several factors, but the two main components of cost are the tuition rate and the number of credits required. A doctoral program that requires 60 credit hours with a tuition rate of $550 per credit would ultimately cost $33,000 in tuition. Pursuing one of the highest-paying PhD programs can lead to a better return on investment for the online/professional doctorate program. Generally, programs are cheaper at public nonprofit universities.

Most doctoral programs require 60 to 70 credits, and affordable doctoral programs typically cost between $500 and $1,000 per credit hour. Students also pay various fees during their program, which vary by school and field of study. Students who transfer credits will have fewer remaining credit hours to complete and pay for.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in New Hampshire

Online doctoral students can sometimes obtain the same types of financial aid as on-campus undergraduate and graduate students � depending on the program and financial aid options in your state. The main forms of financial aid are:

• scholarships and grants
• work-study
• student loans

Scholarships and grants are typically awards that do not need to be paid back and are available based on various criteria. They can be offered based on merit, program, demographics, and other criteria; they're available through countless public and private organizations.

Work-study programs usually involve working part-time during the degree program in exchange for earning money towards student expenses. Student loans are available through both private and public lenders but have to be paid back (with interest).

To apply for financial aid, students should first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Explore the cheapest online colleges that accept FAFSA. While a school's financial aid office can help to identify and apply for some financial aid, no single source lists every available resource. Websites like the Career OneStop Scholarship Finder from the U.S. Department of Labor can help students search through thousands of scholarships and grants. Students should be proactive in the search for financial aid and use loans only as a last resort.

Explore Online Doctoral Degrees

Learn.org has created various lists and resources to aid in your academic and professional journey. Explore more of our pages to find programs and tools that benefit you, and reach out to schools that offer the options you are interested in.