Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Arkansas 2025

Affordable online doctoral programs can help you pursue advanced careers in research, leadership, and academia. Perhaps you'd like to know more about these terminal degree programs and which schools offer them in your home state of Arkansas.

Read on as we take a closer look at the cheapest online PhD programs and other doctoral degrees available, both in Arkansas and beyond. We'll also provide answers to some common questions you may be asking.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Arkansas

Those pursuing any level of higher education can benefit from studying at affordable online colleges. Let's look at the top schools in Arkansas providing budget-friendly doctoral programs.

1. University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway. Doctoral students can pursue two affordable online degrees at this school: a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in change leadership and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

These programs provide intensive online coursework to prepare students for various career opportunities. Both require students to hold a master's degree and meet strict GPA and other admissions requirements. Students in the PhD program have opportunities to conduct original research in a field related to leadership.

• Average cost per credit hour: $349
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, loans, assistantships
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Arkansas Little Rock

The University of Arkansas Little Rock belongs to the University of Arkansas System. Online learners can pursue PhD degrees in computer and information sciences (CIS) and criminal justice.

Both programs feature flexible online coursework and highly affordable tuition rates. Students gain experience conducting research projects to learn more and adding to the overall body of knowledge in their chosen fields.

• Average cost per credit hour: $396
• Financial aid: Federal and state aid, scholarships, assistantships, grants, loans
• Accreditation: HLC

3. University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System. Located in Fayetteville, it offers several online doctoral degrees, including two DNP programs and Doctor of Education (EdD) degrees in the following:

• educational leadership
• adult and lifelong learning
• human resource development

Some of these programs feature hybrid courses and concentrations to help students further personalize their studies. Depending on the program, full-time students can graduate within two to four years.

• Average cost per credit hour: $446.29
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, loans, assistantships
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University is a large public school located in Jonesboro. It offers EdD and DNP programs with several specializations, including:

• higher education administration
• nursing leadership
• nursing education

Depending on the program, students can complete their chosen degrees in as little as one year. Tuition is charged by the course and online classes offer flexible study schedules ideal for working professionals.

• Average cost per credit hour: $477 to $550
• Financial aid: Scholarships, assistantships, loans, state and federal grants
• Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

Whether you're looking for rare, specialized, or high-paying doctoral degrees, you may be able to find what you're looking for at an out-of-state school. Let's consider some of the best online colleges offering online doctoral programs to students throughout the country.

University of West Georgia

The University of West Georgia is a public university offering several online EdD degrees. Students can choose from specializations such as:

• school improvement
• nursing education
• professional counseling and supervision

These EdD programs typically consist of 33 to 60 credit hours and are designed for completion within two to three years. They focus on applying knowledge from existing research to specific high-level career paths.

• Average cost per credit hour: $405.60
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, assistantships, fellowships
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico is a large public school offering several online nursing degrees for doctoral students. These include a PhD in nursing and two DNP programs.

One of the DNP programs is designed for students holding a master's degree, while the other is for students with only a bachelor's degree. These programs can lead to nurse practitioner careers and other leadership roles in healthcare settings.

• Average cost per credit hour: $416.64
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, assistantships, student employment, loans
• Accreditation: HLC

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University is another large public college with online degree programs. It offers online DNP programs with bachelor's and master's entry options, as well as a PhD in curriculum and instruction.

Students in these programs benefit from flexible coursework options as they master competencies in their chosen fields. These distance education programs offer both part-time and full-time options for students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $444.40
• Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, grants, assistantships
• Accreditation: HLC

Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University is a private, for-profit online university based in Alabama. It offers a variety of online doctorate programs, including:

• Doctor of Organizational Leadership (DOL)
• Doctor of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

All coursework is completed entirely online and on flexible schedules, and programs accept a generous number of transfer credits to help those looking to finish a doctoral degree they previously started.

• Average cost per credit hour: $545
• Financial aid: Loans, scholarships, grants
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Liberty University

Liberty University is a private, nonprofit Christian college located in Virginia. It has a large online enrollment and offers a wide range of degree programs. Some of the many doctoral degrees include:

• health sciences
• educational research
• organization and management

PhD students in these programs can earn their degrees on schedules that work for them with flexible, eight-week course sessions. Transfer credits are accepted for many of the programs.

• Average cost per credit hour: $610
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, loans, assistantships
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University is a public university in Virginia. It provides a range of on-campus programs, as well as remote degrees through its distance education platform, ODU Online. Some of the doctoral degrees include:

• educational leadership with licensure
• human resource training
• English

Students in these programs learn methodologies for conducting research and applying it to real-world scenarios. Courses are flexible and fully online, enabling students to finish their education on their schedule.

• Average cost per credit hour: $642
• Financial aid: Loans, scholarships, grants, assistantships
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

We strive to highlight only top distance learning opportunities when creating our school rank lists. Let's talk about the criteria we used when selecting the online education programs and schools featured above.

• Accreditation: All of the schools listed are accredited by nationally recognized accrediting agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Affordability: All doctoral-level programs feature affordable tuition rates below $700 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: Each school is known for providing high-quality in-person and online learning opportunities for students at various levels of education.
• Online student resources: Each program provides various resources, like mentoring and tutoring services, to help students succeed.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Arkansas?

The cost of a doctoral degree can vary widely based on many factors. Some programs require more credit hours than others, so these will typically have higher tuition costs. Longer or more research-intensive programs may also be more expensive.

Among the Arkansas schools featured above, tuition rates range from $349 to $550 per credit hour. These are some of the most affordable rates for online doctoral degrees in the country.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Arkansas

If you attend a cheap online colleges that accepts FAFSA, a variety of financial aid opportunities may be available. These include federal and state grants, loans, and work-study programs, as well as need-based scholarships.

You can also apply for grants and scholarships through your school or through a variety of outside organizations. A combination of scholarship opportunities can greatly reduce your financial burden.

It's also a good idea to consider graduate assistantships and fellowships, which can not only cover educational costs but may provide cost-of-living stipends as well. These programs are competitive, but they can provide a great way for graduate students to fund their education while gaining hands-on experience in their chosen field.

Explore Online Doctoral Degrees

If you're ready to get started pursuing an online PhD or professional doctorate, explore the schools here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the universities to learn more about their advanced degree options and to choose the best program for you.