Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Kentucky 2025

Doctoral education requires multiple years of hard work and significant financial contributions. The good news is that you can complete your education through cheap online doctoral programs at respected universities, like the University of Kentucky. We'll introduce you to the cheapest online PhD programs in Kentucky, so you can enjoy an affordable, high-quality, and convenient higher-education experience.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Kentucky

These are our picks for the most affordable online colleges for PhD coursework in topics like computer science, criminal justice, education administration, and social work. If you wish to go to school without going too far into debt or having to commute to campus as often, then consider these affordable online doctoral programs in Kentucky.

1. Morehead State University

Morehead State University provides a high-quality online education program for teachers seeking a professional doctorate. This is a hybrid option only because it requires one on-campus seminar. Otherwise, it's 100% online�you can complete it within three years and pursue unique specializations like exceptional child leadership or adult and higher education leadership.

• Average cost per credit hour: $570
• Financial aid: Over 90% of students receive financial aid through grants, scholarships, and loans.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Murray State University

Murray State University offers three doctoral degrees online. Its Doctor of Arts (DA) in English pedagogy has four concentrations, such as Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Murray State's Doctor of Education (EdD) program focuses on community leadership, while its Doctor of Nurse Practitioner (DNP) degree trains nurses in areas like family practice and anesthesia.

• Average cost per credit hour: $593.50
• Financial aid: Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for eligibility to receive grants and scholarships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Kentucky State University

Kentucky State University allows nurses to get a DNP degree through a primarily distance-education format. The program has in-person, clinical requirements, but students can complete those at remote locations near their region of residence. This makes it a flexible way to obtain the nursing field's terminal degree and gain hands-on experience, but still do most of the coursework online (asynchronously).

• Average cost per credit hour: $605
• Financial aid: The university offers scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Eastern Kentucky University

You can attend Eastern Kentucky University for one of two online doctorate programs: an EdD in educational leadership and policy studies or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DOT). The DOT option involves eight-week courses during the spring and fall, along with six-week courses in the summer. That makes it much more manageable for working professionals who would take one or two doctoral-level courses at a time.

• Average cost per credit hour: $610
• Financial aid: Grants, private education loans, federal loans, and employer-based tuition reimbursement
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University has a hybrid delivery format for its EdD degree. Its online learning program focuses on educational leadership but still includes lucrative opportunities to engage with nationally recognized guests and faculty. This program helps education administrators gain all the essential research and teaching competencies to handle leadership roles in any private industry, government, or nonprofit organization.

• Average cost per credit hour: $707
• Financial aid: The university considers all students eligible for tuition waivers, scholarships, and grants.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky (UK) offers three PhD concentrations in arts administration, educational leadership, and physical education. It also grants a DNP degree through online delivery.

UK promises the same educational quality for online enrollment as you would expect with on-campus coursework. Programs follow either synchronous (real-time classes) or asynchronous (online and self-paced) schedule formats.

• Average cost per credit hour: $753
• Financial aid: UK graduate students can apply to receive scholarships, grants, and fellowships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. University of Louisville

The University of Louisville has one online doctoral program, its Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree, which full-time or part-time students can complete 100% online. The program references the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which expects a 7% increase in demand for experienced social workers. This advanced degree in the field could set the recipient apart from other candidates in this high-demand area.

• Average cost per credit hour: $830
• Financial aid: Military students qualify for tuition rates as low as $250 per credit hour.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

You can also find reputable PhD degree opportunities for online learners at several other online colleges. These schools have a reputation for both affordability and granting a variety of degrees at every level of education.

Franklin University

Franklin University, located in nearby Ohio, provides a convenient distance-learning experience for PhD students in five diverse disciplines. This includes a DNP degree, a Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA), a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and two EdD programs for either instructional design leadership or organizational leadership. Franklin promotes a fast way to complete doctoral degrees online, typically within three years for coursework and one year for a capstone project or dissertation.

• Average cost per credit hour: $748
• Financial aid: Students can qualify for federal/state aid along with private loans from Franklin's preferred lenders.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Liberty University

Liberty University grants PhD degrees and professional doctorates for many academic disciplines, ranging from history and social sciences to divinity and health sciences. This online university does not require you to take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) for admission. This is also a preferred option for military personnel and their spouses, who enjoy substantial tuition discounts for graduate school.

• Average cost per credit hour: $580
• Financial aid: Liberty supports students with military discounts and participates in federal aid programs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Capella University

Capella University has five doctoral options, which you can complete fully online. Those include DHA, DBA, EdD, and DNP degrees.

Capella is also one of the few schools to grant a Doctor of Information Technology (DIT). This academic program emphasizes its ''industry-inspired curriculum,'' drawing from the expertise of several recognized industry leaders.

• Average cost per credit hour: $525 to $1,020
• Financial aid: Capella participates in multiple federal aid programs, such as Federal Graduate PLUS loans.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

Below is the rankings methodology we used to determine the schools for our Kentucky rankings. These degree programs must meet each of the following criteria: accreditation status, affordability, strong program reputation, and ample resources for online doctoral students.

• Accreditation: These schools undergo rigorous evaluation by accrediting boards, like SACSCOC.
• Affordability: Programs must have reasonable tuition or offset tuition costs with generous financial aid, like assistantships and fellowships.
• Program reputation: These schools have respected faculty members who produce original research and teach a variety of higher-level courses.
• Online student resources: Viable PhD programs serve online students and on-campus with career guidance and academic mentoring.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Kentucky?

The cost of an online doctoral degree depends on the specific institution's tuition rates as well as the program type you select. Some universities charge much higher for PhDs and DNPs in the healthcare field than they do for online graduate programs in the humanities or social sciences.

Don't forget that the above-listed options are both affordable and high-paying PhD programs in terms of job prospects. PhD holders command high salaries in academia, nonprofit research firms, major corporations, and the government.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Kentucky

PhD students receive funding from a variety of sources, including Pell Grants, research assistantships, and merit scholarships. There is a process for obtaining these support programs, though. Most American universities expect prospective students to complete the FAFSA before enrollment or award consideration. That's why it's important to research the cheapest online colleges that accept FAFSA to discover the lowest tuition and cover most of it with financial aid.

Discover Online Doctoral Degrees

We want you to find the most suitable online education for your specific academic goals. That's easier to do by using Learn.org's abundant resources for online doctoral degrees, master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certifications.