Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in North Dakota 2025

Some students choose to go beyond a bachelor's degree or even a master's degree to earn a doctorate. Doctorate degrees are terminal degrees, meaning you can't get a higher level of education in that field.

There are two types of doctoral degrees. Professional doctorates are for specific careers and lead to licensure or leadership roles. Research doctorates, like Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, are for roles in academia or research. These degrees can be in nearly any subject or specialization, from science and technology to the arts and humanities.

Because doctoral degrees can be expensive and many students, especially working professionals, don't have the time or ability to learn on campus, students often look for high-quality but cheap online doctoral programs. Keep reading to discover affordable online doctoral programs in North Dakota.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in North Dakota

There are several affordable online colleges in North Dakota, but not all offer online doctoral degrees. We've highlighted those with the cheapest online PhD programs and professional doctorates below.

1. North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University is a public research institution in Fargo, ND. It offers several online doctoral degree programs, including a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and PhDs in fields like engineering and natural resource sciences.

Tuition varies by program and where you live. The in-state rate for the DMA and PhD in natural resource sciences is $421 per credit, while the PhDs in engineering are $463.73 per credit. Out-of-state students pay a higher rate depending on what state they live in.

• Average cost per credit hour: $442
• Financial aid: NDSU accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of North Dakota

At the University of North Dakota, students can earn several doctoral degrees through online learning. These include a Doctor of Education (EdD) in educational leadership, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees, and several PhD degrees in fields like engineering, computer science, environmental studies, and healthcare.

This public research institution is located in Grand Forks, ND. Tuition is program dependent, ranging from $528.36 per credit for the PhD in Indigenous health to $826.39 per credit for the DNP programs.

• Average cost per credit hour: $677.37
• Financial aid: UND offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. University of Mary

The University of Mary offers four online doctoral degree programs. UMary is a private Catholic university in Bismarck, ND.

Graduate students can choose from two DNP programs, family nurse practitioner and organizational leadership, both of which are $685 per credit hour. The university also offers an online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and EdD, both of which are $790 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $740
• Financial aid: UMary offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Jamestown

Students at the University of Jamestown will find two online doctoral degrees. The first is a PhD in clinical research, and the second is a Doctor of Leadership, with several concentration options.

UJ, located in Jamestown, ND, is a private Christian school. Tuition for both of its online doctoral-level programs is $750 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $750
• Financial aid: UJ accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.
• Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

North Dakota doesn't have a lot of colleges that meet our school standards and also offer doctoral degrees. However, as an online learner, you can pursue graduate programs from online schools across the country. We've highlighted a few other schools with affordable online doctorate degrees below.

University of Alabama in Huntsville

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public research institution in Huntsville, AL. It offers an online DNP, as well as online PhDs in engineering management, industrial engineering, systems engineering, and civil engineering.

Tuition for the DNP is $445 per credit hour. The online PhD programs have a rate of $655 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $550
• Financial aid: UAH accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Southern Illinois University

Students at Southern Illinois University can choose from two online doctoral degrees. The first is a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc), for students who want to become physician assistants, and the second is an EdD in educational administration.

SIU, a public research institution, is located in Carbondale, IL. It charges $469.50 per credit for the EdD and $631 for the DMSc.

• Average cost per credit hour: $550.25
• Financial aid: SIU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota offers four doctoral degrees through online education. USD is a public research university in Vermillion, SD.

The online options at the doctoral level are a PhD in human development and educational psychology, a PhD in health sciences, a DNP in organizational and system leadership, and an EdD in educational administration. All doctoral students pay a tuition rate of $470 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $470
• Financial aid: USD offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

Louisiana Tech University

Two online doctorate degrees are available through Louisiana Tech University. The first is an EdD in educational leadership and the second is a Doctor of Engineering and Technology Management (DETM) degree.

Louisiana Tech, located in Ruston, LA, is a public research university. It charges a tuition rate of $475 per credit for both of these advanced degrees.

• Average cost per credit hour: $475
• Financial aid: Louisiana Tech accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Boise State University

Boise State University is a public research university in Boise, ID. It also offers two doctoral degrees through distance learning: an EdD in educational technology and a DNP in leadership.

Tuition for the EdD is $478 per credit for the 500-level courses and $599 per credit for the 600-level courses. The DNP, likewise, ranges from $820 to $895 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $698
• Financial aid: Boise State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Kansas State University

Through Kansas State University, students can choose from several online doctoral degrees. These include EdDs, professional doctorates in leadership and academic advising, and personal financial planning, and PhDs in education and security studies.

K-State, a public research institution, is located in Manhattan, KS. Most online doctoral degrees here cost $551 per credit, but the PhD in security studies is $574.50 per credit, and the degree in personal financial planning costs $676.14.

• Average cost per credit hour: $569.69
• Financial aid: K-State offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the online doctoral degrees listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: Every school holds regional accreditation.
• Program reputation: In addition to accreditation, we only chose schools that are public or private nonprofit to ensure high-quality higher education programs.
• Affordability: Once we determined which accredited, nonprofit schools in North Dakota offer online doctoral degrees, we looked at which have the lowest tuition costs before branching out to include affordable options throughout the country.
• Online student resources: All programs on this list offer support services to students, like academic advising and mentoring from faculty members.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in North Dakota?

Online doctoral degrees in North Dakota range from less than $500 per credit hour to over $800. The school you choose can significantly affect your tuition costs.

It also depends on your program. For example, DNPs are some of the highest-paying doctoral degrees but also tend to be some of the most expensive. Other expensive doctoral programs include DBA and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees, while EdD degrees are sometimes less expensive. This can vary between schools, however.

The length of your program will affect your costs. Professional doctorates often require fewer credits and take three or four years to complete. Research doctorates often require a dissertation research project, which can take six to eight years.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in North Dakota

Financial aid can also significantly impact your costs. All students should fill out the FAFSA through the U.S. Department of Education. There are many cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA.

Unfortunately, scholarships and grants aren't always available through FAFSA for graduate degrees. This means you may need to look for other financial aid options.

Colleges and universities often offer their own aid programs. This may include gift aid (i.e., scholarships and grants), or work-study options like assistantships and fellowships. Additionally, some doctorate programs, especially PhDs, are fully funded, meaning the school covers tuition and living expenses so PhD students can conduct original research.

Explore Online Doctoral Degrees

Find the perfect online doctoral degree by exploring the affordable options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.