Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Delaware 2025

Time and cost are obstacles for many students. According to Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, 85% cited cost and 77% cited time constraints as reasons for not completing their degree. While tuition costs can be intimidating, financial aid makes an impactful difference. Keep reading to discover the cheapest online PhD programs and doctoral degrees for Delaware students.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Delaware

Even though Delaware is the second smallest state in the U.S, that doesn't have to limit educational opportunities for students. Here, we'll discuss several affordable doctoral programs in Delaware.

1. The University of Delaware

The University of Delaware (UD) provides doctoral students with research and mentorship opportunities. Classes are online and in-person to fit the schedules of full-time working professionals. There is a hybrid option for PhD degrees in education and human development. Its Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing science prepares students for licensure and lets them choose synchronous or independent online learning.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,069
• Financial aid: UD offers federal direct student loans, graduate PLUS loans, scholarship opportunities, fellowships, and assistantships. Additionally, graduate students over the age of 60 may be eligible for waived tuition for graduate programs. Eligible students may use the TEACH grant.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Wilmington University

Students at Wilmington University (WilmU) can choose hybrid or online learning for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. For healthcare students, there is an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Doctor of Social Science in prevention science. Additionally, there's licensure support for educational students completing their Doctor of Education (EdD) in educational leadership or higher education leadership.

Semester courses meet once a week for about two and a half hours. Students may choose between asynchronous classes or live online sessions. It has a FLEX program where students can attend classes with live webinars and reduce their time on campus by 60%.

• Average cost per credit hour: $713
• Financial aid: WilmU participates in Federal Student Aid programs, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans. Delaware residents may be eligible for the state's Higher Education Office scholarships and grants. It also supports employer tuition reimbursement.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

3. Delaware State University

Students interested in higher education can get their EdD at Delaware State University (DSU) through its hybrid, accelerated program. The eight-week program meets on campus every other week. To accommodate students working full-time, meetings are typically on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.

All programs emphasize applied research projects that support student success in academia and professional leadership, such as the hybrid Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program. Most doctoral degree programs require GRE scores.

• Average cost per credit hour: $366.76 to $786.92
• Financial aid: DSU offers several funding options for graduate students, including federal student loans, institutional grants, and scholarships. Delaware residents can apply for state-specific aid like the Delaware SEED and INSPIRE scholarships, as well as grants through the Delaware Higher Education Office. The university also provides alternative credit-based loans and payment plans with a 25% initial deposit.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Goldey-Beacom College

Goldey-Beacom College (GBC) offers career-based hybrid learning. Its DBA program includes financial decision-making, research and analysis, and business analytics courses. Two new students are accepted into the DBA program each year. For students working full-time, most in-person classes are in the evenings (typically 4:30 to 10:30 PM).

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,397
• Financial aid: GBX offers federal work-study programs, merit-based scholarships, grants, and loans (including Graduate PLUS loans). Reduced tuition is available for military or veteran students and alumni. Employees working for companies partnered with EdAssist by Bright Horizons save 10% on tuition. Eligible students can apply for statewide scholarships and grants through the Higher Education Office.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

Navigating financial aid while working full-time can be difficult. These programs allow students to pursue their goals without incurring excessive debt through affordable online doctoral programs. Keep reading to discover affordable online colleges provide flexibility to learn around a full-time job.

Liberty University

Liberty University (LU) has an online Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) program with no in-person residency requirement. EdD programs are available, though some include on-campus intensives. Most courses are eight weeks and allow students to work ahead so they can graduate early.

• Average cost per credit hour: $665
• Financial aid: In addition to reduced tuition for military students and alumni, students can apply for federal aid, scholarships, and grants from the FAFSA. LU students can also use Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans to help cover educational costs. It also offers institutional scholarships like the Liberty Advantage Program and the Keesee Scholarship, which provide additional tuition assistance for eligible doctoral students.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Walden University

Walden University (WU) is an online college with self-paced doctoral programs for distance education. The online DBA program even offers the option of doing a virtual residency. EdDs in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, higher education administration, and community care and counseling are available.

For curriculum and instruction students, there are specializations in special education, elementary education, and online teaching. If you are interested in the humanities, social science, and human behavior, WU also offers a PhD in psychology with specializations including clinical psychology, forensic psychology, and industrial psychology.

• Average cost per credit hour: $695 (for quarter-hour)
• Financial aid: WU provides targeted savings opportunities such as limited-time tuition reduction offers and grants for first-time students. It partners with select organizations to provide reduced tuition rates. Additionally, students can access federal student aid, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans, and institutional scholarships by submitting the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Capella University

Capella University (CU) offers FlexPath learning (which is completely self-paced) and GuidedPath (which has traditional deadlines). Its EdD programs include adult education, performance improvement leadership, and literacy. DBA programs have specializations in general management, organizational leadership and development, and innovation.

• Average cost per credit hour: $765 to $790
• Financial aid: CU supports graduate students through federal financial aid, scholarships, and tuition discounts. Military personnel and veterans receive special tuition rates. Capella offers scholarships like the $5,000 Capella Progress Reward for new students and employer tuition reimbursement partnerships. Students in the FlexPath format may find added savings through its flat-rate tuition.
• Accreditation: HLC

The University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix (UOP) offers a Doctor of Management (DM) and accepts up to 27 doctoral-level transfer credits, helping students reduce tuition costs. EdD students can access 12 core courses and six leadership electives, allowing for a well-rounded foundation in curriculum design, higher education, and educational technology. Its DBA has 18 core classes, including financial management, marketing, and organizational theory and development. Virtual symposiums are available for healthcare professionals in the DHA program.

• Average cost per credit hour: $810
• Financial aid: UOP offers financial assistance through federal student aid. The school provides several institutional scholarships, such as the Phoenix Scholarship and other need-based or merit-based awards for doctoral students.
• Accreditation: HLC

Northcentral University

Northcentral University's (NCU) DBA program focuses on practical business applications in various specializations, including international business, project management, financial management, and health services. Its PhD in technology and innovation management has concentrations in computer science, engineering, and information systems. Its Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ) has specializations in policing and public administration. Criminal justice students also have the option to earn a PhD in business administration with criminal justice as the specialization.

• Average cost per credit hour: $660
• Financial aid: NCU students may qualify for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. NCU provides several scholarship opportunities, including the NCU Opportunity Scholarship and various program-specific scholarships, which are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or field of study.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Trident University International

There are various research-focused PhD and doctoral degree programs through Trident University International (TUI). Its DBA program covers strategic marketing practices, applied statistics, and research skills. The PhD in educational leadership has several concentrations, including early childhood education, athletics administration, higher education leadership and administration, and curriculum and instruction. For healthcare professionals, there is a Doctor of Health Administration and PhD in health sciences.

• Average cost per credit hour: $625
• Financial aid: TUI provides institutional scholarships and grants such as the Trident Alumni Scholarship, Trident Lifelong Learning Grant, and Trident Impact Grant. The Military Education Grant offers 20% tuition cost reduction for master's programs. Additionally, the Trident Veteran Education Grant provides a 10% to 11% tuition reduction for doctoral courses to retirees, veterans, and their dependents.
• Accreditation: WSCUC

How We Rank Schools

To choose which doctoral degree programs made our list, we considered:

• Accreditation: All featured schools are regionally accredited.
• Affordability: We searched for colleges offering affordable tuition. We also focused on institutions that accept FAFSA or offer scholarship and grant opportunities.
• Program reputation: In addition to being accredited, we looked for schools with good academic standing, hands-on learning opportunities, and flexible scheduling for students who are working professionals. The programs above include research projects to prepare graduates for leadership roles in academia and beyond.
• Online student resources: Each school has resources to support online learning, such as mentoring and academic advising.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Delaware?

The cost of an online doctoral degree in Delaware depends on your program and school. For Delaware students, the cost of an online doctoral degree typically ranges from $400 to $2,000 per credit hour.

For affordable online doctoral programs, public universities usually offer lower rates for in-state students, while private schools and out-of-state tuition tend to be higher.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Delaware

Getting an online education provides affordability without compromising quality. Financial aid options make a difference in your overall tuition cost. It's important to fill out the FAFSA annually, as it determines federal and state aid eligibility. Keep in mind that graduate students don't always qualify for scholarships or grants through FAFSA.

Many Delaware universities offer financial support, including scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships. Most universities provide net price calculators to help students estimate costs and find the cheapest affordable online PhD programs. Additionally, your GPA may qualify you for merit-based scholarships. Some loan forgiveness programs are available for doctoral degree graduates, such as DNP and EdD students.

If you're also considering return on investment, exploring high-paying PhD programs may help you choose a program that aligns with your long-term financial goals.

Explore Online Doctoral Degrees

Take the next step toward your educational goals and career aspirations by exploring online doctoral degree programs on Learn.org. Reach out to schools directly to learn more about enrollment, financial aid, and available educational programs.