Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Michigan 2025

Doctoral degrees are top options for professionals looking to advance their careers and secure higher-paying roles. However, not all programs are flexible for busy workers or cost-friendly for budget-conscious learners.

Fortunately, Michigan is home to schools offering affordable online doctoral programs with flexible scheduling, lower tuition, and financial aid. Read on to discover some of the cheapest online doctoral programs in the state.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Michigan

Are you interested in earning a doctoral degree in Michigan? Review some of the state's cheapest online PhD programs and other affordable online doctorates.

1. Cornerstone University

Cornerstone University's Doctor of Education (EdD) in organizational leadership and development helps learners develop practical solutions to real-world problems through advanced research skills and data-driven decision-making. Online courses explore human resource management, qualitative research methods, data analysis, and more.

Coursework is offered 100% online; however, students must participate in three in-person annual residencies to connect with peers. Admission requirements include a graduate-level 3.0 GPA and five or more years of professional experience.

• Average cost per credit hour: $745
• Financial aid: Graduate students enrolled in the EdD program have access to scholarships and financial aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Baker College

At Baker College in Owosso, learners can find three online doctoral degree programs in education and business. The EdD in educational leadership is a 2.5-year program teaching students the skills to excel in leadership positions in education or policy-making roles.

Baker offers a 60-credit Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) that helps students move into C-level executive (CEO, CIO, CMO, etc.) and business operation specialist roles. The DBA-ABD (all but dissertation) focuses on learners who have completed most DBA coursework but need assistance finishing their dissertation.

• Average cost per credit hour: $750
• Financial aid: Doctoral students at Baker can apply for the Doctorate Alumni Scholarship, which awards up to $6,000 annually for learners who meet GPA and enrollment requirements.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Andrews University

Andrews University offers two affordable doctoral degree programs in physical and occupational therapy. The Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (DScPT), which has concentrations in higher education teaching, women's health, and orthopedic manual therapy, includes online courses, hands-on courses, and clinical hours.

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy (DScOT) take online courses and participate in on-campus intensives. This program, which has full-time and part-time options, prepares learners to serve in teaching roles and become agents of change in healthcare.

• Average cost per credit hour: $796
• Financial aid: The Andrews Graduate Scholarship helps eligible DScPT enrollees reduce tuition costs. All graduate students can save by applying for federal financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Michigan-Flint

The University of Michigan-Flint has online doctoral degrees for students interested in furthering their nursing or education careers. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to DNP programs help RNs with bachelor's or master's degrees move into advanced nursing roles. The RN to DNP with MSN is designed for nurses with an associate degree or diploma.

Learners seeking online education programs can enroll in the EdD program. This degree increases educators' competencies in decision-making and education policy analysis and prepares them for advanced K-12 or higher education roles.

• Average cost per credit hour: $834 (in-state cost for DNP programs); $850 (in-state cost for EdD program)
• Financial aid: Graduate psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students could receive up to $28,000+ in scholarship funds. The university also offers grants, research assistantships, and fellowships for graduate students.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University is home to several online doctoral programs in education. Students can pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in educational leadership (with a K-12 leadership concentration) or a PhD in evaluation, measurement, and research.

WMU also offers online PhD programs in science education with concentrations in biological sciences, geosciences, chemistry, physical geography, and physics. These high-paying PhD programs lead to science education research, curriculum specialist, and high school science department chair roles.

• Average cost per credit hour: $798.10
• Financial aid: Students enrolled in graduate programs save with scholarships, assistantships, fellowships, and more.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University offers an affordable BSN to DNP program for RNs interested in advanced clinical practice, including primary care family nurse practitioner roles. Courses follow a hybrid format that consists of online coursework and some late-afternoon in-person class sessions.

For RNs with a master's degree in nursing, the university has a 100% online MSN to DNP with advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and non-APRN plans of study. Students enrolled in this program graduate in just two years.

• Average cost per credit hour: $840
• Financial aid: Enrollees use U.S. government-sponsored traineeships, loans, and scholarships to reduce costs. A Graduate Payment Plan (GPP) helps eligible students spread educational expenses over five interest-free payments
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Ferris State University

At Ferris State University, students can choose from two doctoral degrees with online learning options. The EdD in community college leadership, taught by current and recent community college presidents, vice presidents, and deans, is a three-year program offering a combination of in-person and online components.

Learners interested in a terminal nursing degree can pursue the 100% online DNP. Coursework exploring emergent theories of health and informatics for leadership is completed in as few as six semesters.

• Average cost per credit hour: $865
• Financial aid: Institutional and external scholarships and other financial aid help lower graduate degree tuition and fees.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Michigan State University

Students seeking advanced nursing career paths can find affordable online doctoral degree programs at Michigan State University. The BSN to DNP with an adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist concentration is a 70-credit online program students complete in as little as three years.

MSU also offers a 70-credit hybrid nurse practitioner DNP program with family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care, and nurse practitioner psychiatric mental health concentrations. Learners interested in a shorter program can choose the 28-credit hybrid post-master's DNP and finish in two years.

• Average cost per credit hour: $867 to $889.75
• Financial aid: Graduate gift aid at MSU includes assistantships (teaching assistant, research assistant, and teaching exclusion positions), fellowships, and scholarships.
• Accreditation: HLC

9. Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University's DNP delivers online coursework with occasional on-campus visits. Students with a bachelor's degree complete 72 credit hours, and learners following the post-master's track complete 33 credit hours.

The post-baccalaureate curriculum includes 1,000 supervised clinical practice hours that learners complete in their communities with an approved preceptor. Post-master's clinical coursework is individualized based on prior coursework.

• Average cost per credit hour: $900
• Financial aid: Graduate students use scholarships, assistantships, and aid like the Future Faculty Fellowship (which offers up to $35,000 for a doctoral degree in exchange for a service obligation) to reduce costs.
• Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

Do you want to find additional online doctoral programs outside of Michigan? Consider the low-cost program below.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, several online education programs are offered at the doctoral level. Students can find EdD degrees with concentrations in learning design and leadership, global studies in education, and international education administration and leadership.

EdD programs are also available in diversity and equity in education and human resource development. Students must complete 64 credit hours of coursework to finish these doctoral programs.

• Average cost per credit hour: $520
• Financial aid: This university offers financial aid programs for online degree-seeking students.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

Our team used a thorough vetting process to select the schools on this rank list. We confirmed that each institution met the following criteria for delivering a high-quality academic experience:

• Accreditation: All schools are accredited by the HLC, a nationally recognized organization.
• Affordability: The institutions above help students save with affordable tuition, fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and other financial aid.
• Program reputation: We verified that the colleges and universities in this list offer quality online and on-campus programs.
• Online student resources: Several institutions offer student support services like advising, tutoring, and library access to enhance the online learning experience.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Michigan?

Michigan's online doctoral degrees vary in cost based on factors like residency and enrollment status. Let's say you enroll in a doctoral degree as a Michigan resident. Your in-state tuition could cost less than tuition for out-of-state and international students. Part-time vs. full-time enrollment could also impact tuition rates.

Some schools charge different rates based on degree type and area of study. For instance, a DBA with a nonprofit leadership specialization could cost more or less than a PhD in computer science or an EdD in special education. To confirm the tuition rate for your chosen program, contact your school's financial aid office.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Michigan

Financial aid is popular among PhD students and other doctoral degree seekers looking to lower school costs. Learners could reduce tuition and fees to zero depending on the assistance received. Here are common financial aid opportunities for doctoral students:

• fellowships
• scholarships (institutional and external)
• assistantships (teaching and research)
• traineeships
• grants

Borrowing student loans is another option for students interested in reducing school costs; however, these funds must be repaid. Another unique way to save is by transferring college credits to your doctoral program. This helps you avoid paying to retake courses completed at another institution.

Discover Online Doctoral Degrees

Start an exciting journey in higher education by exploring the accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest today to learn ways they can help you achieve your academic goals.