Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Idaho 2025

After earning a bachelor's degree or even a master's degree, some students decide to further their education with a doctorate. There are two types of doctorates: professional doctorates and research doctorates.

Professional doctorates are geared toward a specific career, like nurse practitioner. They can lead to leadership roles or qualify students for licensure or specific credentials. Research doctorates, the most common of which is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), is for those wanting careers in academia or research. They can be in any field, from science and tech to social sciences and humanities.

Working professionals who want to earn their doctorates may look at online options since these are often more flexible than on-campus programs. There are many cheap online doctoral programs that won't break the bank. Keep reading to discover affordable online doctoral programs in Idaho.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Idaho

There are several affordable online colleges in Idaho, but only a few offer doctoral programs. We've highlighted Idaho's cheapest online PhD programs and professional doctorates below.

1. Boise State University

Boise State University is a public research institution in Boise, ID. It also offers two online doctoral degrees: a Doctor of Education (EdD) in educational technology and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in leadership.

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

• Average cost per credit hour: $698
• Financial aid: Boise State accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

2. Idaho State University

At Idaho State University, students will find several online doctoral degree programs. These include an EdD in educational leadership with several specializations, a DNP, and PhDs in instructional design, nursing, rehabilitation, and communication science.

This public research institution is located in Pocatello, ID. It charges in-state students $498.13 per credit and out-of-state students $1,198.13 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $498.13
• Financial aid: ISU offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

3. University of Idaho

The University of Idaho offers an EdD and a PhD in education online. UIdaho is a public research university in Moscow, ID.

Both online education programs offer multiple areas of specialization, such as career and technical education, curriculum and instruction, and educational leadership. The tuition cost is $618 per credit for in-state students and $1,687 for out-of-state students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $618
• Financial aid: UIdaho offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

4. Northwest Nazarene University

Two online doctoral degrees are available at Northwest Nazarene University: an EdD and a PhD in educational leadership. The EdD is for those who want to take on leadership roles, while the PhD focuses on research of a particular specialization.

NNU, located in Nampa, ID, is a private Christian school. It charges a tuition rate of $665 per credit hour for both education programs.

• Average cost per credit hour: $665
• Financial aid: NNU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

There are only a few affordable online doctoral programs in Idaho. However, because online learning can be done remotely, you can choose from schools outside of where you live. We've listed a few additional low-cost doctorate and PhD programs from across the country below.

University of Alabama 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.

The tuition rate depends on which program you're taking. The DNP is $445 per credit hour, while the PhDs in engineering come in at $655 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $550
• Financial aid: UAH accepts aid FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private 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. One is a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) for students who want to become physician assistants, and the other is an EdD in educational administration.

This public research institution is located in Carbondale, IL. It charges a tuition rate of $469.50 per credit for the EdD and $631 per credit 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: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota offers four doctoral-level degrees online, including professional doctorates and PhDs. USD is a public research university in Vermillion, SD, and its online doctoral degrees are:

• PhD in human development and educational psychology
• PhD in health sciences
• DNP in organizational and system leadership
• EdD in educational administration.

All doctoral students pay a tuition rate of $470 per credit, regardless of the program.

• 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 professional doctorates are available online through Louisiana Tech University. These include an EdD in educational leadership and a Doctor of Engineering and Technology Management (DETM) program.

Louisiana Tech, located in Ruston, LA, is a public research university. It charges $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

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a public research institution in Grand Forks, ND. It offers several online doctorates, including an EdD in educational leadership, DNP degrees, and several PhD degrees in fields like engineering, computer science, environmental studies, and healthcare.

Tuition varies based on the program. Costs range 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 accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

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, as well as 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 a couple have higher rates. 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 and distance learning doctoral degrees listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools listed hold regional accreditation.
• Program reputation: In addition to only choosing regionally accredited schools, we also chose only public or private nonprofit schools to ensure the highest quality graduate degrees.
• Affordability: Once we narrowed down the accredited and nonprofit schools in Idaho that offer online doctoral degrees, we looked at which are most affordable before expanding to include programs from other states.
• Online student resources: All schools offer support services for distance education students, including academic advising and mentoring from faculty members.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Idaho?

Online doctorates in Idaho range from $450 to just under $700 per credit. Tuition costs vary between schools, and at some, like Idaho State, tuition depends on where you live.

Your costs will also depend 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 Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees, while EdD degrees are sometimes less expensive. However, some schools charge the same price for all programs.

The length of your program will affect your costs as well. Professional doctorates often require fewer credits and take three or four years to complete. Research doctorates often require conducting a dissertation research project and can take six to eight years of full-time study.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Idaho

Financial aid is another factor that can 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.

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal and state programs, as well as some institutional financial aid. Unfortunately, this doesn't always offer gift aid, like scholarships and grants, to graduate students.

To help, colleges and universities often offer their own aid programs. This may include gift aid 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 for the school.

Explore Online Doctoral Degrees

Start working toward your career goals by exploring the online programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, tuition costs, and financial aid.