Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Kansas 2025

Graduate students in Kansas can find several affordable, quality PhD and professional doctorate programs through colleges and universities in their state.

Many students choose to further their level of education by earning a doctoral degree. These are terminal degrees, meaning you cannot earn a higher degree. There are two types: professional doctorates, meant for specific careers, and research doctorates, like Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs), for those who want to go into academia or research.

Working professionals often don't have the time or ability to learn in person, so they opt for online degrees. These degrees give students the freedom to study on their own schedule. Although tuition for these programs can be expensive, there are several cheap online doctoral programs in the U.S. Keep reading to discover Kansas's affordable online doctoral programs.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Kansas

Many cheap online colleges in Kansas offer bachelor's degrees and master's degrees, but not always doctoral degree programs. Below, we've found the state's cheapest online PhD programs and professional doctorates.

1. Wichita State University

Wichita State University is a public research institution in Wichita, KS. It offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program.

This degree is for students who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and as a result, the program only requires 29 credits and can be completed in as little as two years. The tuition rate is $338.87 per credit hour.

Average cost per credit hour: $338.87
Financial aid: Wichita State accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It also offers institutional aid, like scholarships, and accepts private aid.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Southwestern College

At Southwestern College, graduate students can earn a Doctor of Education (EdD) in educational leadership online. The program offers specializations in PK-12 educational leadership and higher education leadership.

This private Christian school is located in Winfield, KS. It charges a tuition rate of $388 per credit hour for the online EdD.

Average cost per credit hour: $388
Financial aid: Southwestern accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: HLC

3. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice. FHSU is a public university in Hays, KS.

This program offers pathways for both bachelor's and master's degree holders. Tuition is $453.68 per credit for all students.

Average cost per credit hour: $453.68
Financial aid: FHSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.
Accreditation: HLC

4. Kansas State University

Kansas State University offers several online degrees for doctoral students. These include:

professional doctorates in leadership in academic advising and personal financial planning
EdDs in adult learning and leadership, curriculum and instruction, and educational leadership
PhDs in security studies, as well as several fields of education

K-State, located in Manhattan, KS, is a public research institution. It charges $551.14 per credit for most of its online learning doctorate programs, but the PhD in security studies is $574.50 per credit, and the personal financial planning doctorate is $676.14 per credit.

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

5. Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State University is a public institution in Pittsburg, KS. It offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice in nurse leadership with specializations in organizational leadership and educational leadership.

This program is for those who already hold an MSN and want to advance to leadership roles within nursing. Tuition costs $569 per credit.

Average cost per credit hour: $569
Financial aid: Pitt State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
Accreditation: HLC

6. University of Kansas

Students at the University of Kansas can choose from three online doctoral-level programs. One is a Doctor of Social Work (DSW), and the other two are EdD degrees in educational administration and higher education administration.

KU is a public research institution located in Lawrence, KS. It charges different rates for different programs; the EdD degrees are $595 per credit, while the DSW is $995 per credit.

Average cost per credit hour: $728.33
Financial aid: KU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: HLC

7. Baker University

Baker University offers three online Doctor of Education programs. Baker is a private Christian institution in Baldwin City, KS.

The distance learning EdD programs are designed for working professionals and are available in educational leadership, instructional design and performance technology, and leadership in higher education. The tuition cost is about $601 per credit hour.

Average cost per credit hour: $601
Financial aid: Baker University accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.
Accreditation: HLC

8. University of Saint Mary

Students at the University of Saint Mary can earn Doctor of Education degrees online. These online education programs are available in curriculum and instruction or higher education leadership.

USM, located in Leavenworth, KS, is a private Catholic school. It charges a tuition rate of $650 per credit for the EdD degrees. Coursework for these advanced degrees can be completed within two years of full-time study.

Average cost per credit hour: $650
Financial aid: USM accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.
Accreditation: HLC

9. Washburn University

Washburn University is a public institution in Topeka, KS. It offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice with specializations in family nurse practitioner and psychiatric nurse practitioner.

This program offers tracks for those with bachelor's degrees and master's degrees. The tuition costs $727 per credit, and specific scholarships are available through the School of Nursing.

Average cost per credit hour: $727
Financial aid: Washburn accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
Accreditation: HLC

10. Ottawa University

Through Ottawa University, distance education students can earn a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). While primarily online, the DBA does require several three-day on-campus residencies throughout the program.

This private Christian school is based in Ottawa, KS. Tuition is $5,525 per semester, or roughly $888 per credit.

Average cost per credit hour: $888
Financial aid: Ottawa University accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable doctorate programs in Kansas listed above, we focused on:

Accreditation: Every school listed is regionally accredited.
Program reputation: In addition to accreditation, we only chose public or nonprofit private schools to ensure high-quality degree programs.
Affordability: Once we determined which nonprofit, accredited schools in Kansas offer online doctoral degrees, we looked at which have the most affordable tuition rates.
Online student resources: All schools offer resources to assist students, including mentoring by faculty members and career advisement.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Kansas?

The cost of an online doctoral degree in Kansas depends on which school you choose. Tuition rates range from less than $400 per credit to nearly $900 per credit.

It also depends on the program you choose. For example, DNPs, while some of the highest-paying doctoral degrees, can also be some of the most expensive.

The length of the program impacts your cost as well. Many professional doctorates take four years or less, while PhD programs often take several years, as they typically require extensive research projects.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Kansas

The financial aid you use also plays a role in how much you pay. All students should fill out the FAFSA, and there are many cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA in Kansas.

However, FAFSA, which is run through the Department of Education, doesn't always provide gift aid for graduate students. As a result, many institutions offer aid to help doctoral students pay for their degrees. This may include gift aid like scholarships and grants or work-study options like assistantships and fellowships. Additionally, some PhD programs are fully funded, meaning they cover tuition for PhD students and include a stipend so they can perform original research.

You can also find scholarship and grant opportunities through individual private organizations or through your employer.

Discover Online Doctoral Degrees

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