Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Montana 2025

Working professionals interested in pursuing doctoral degrees can find great programs throughout Montana. But what if they're looking for low-cost virtual options? Fortunately, affordable online doctoral programs are also available.

If you're ready to start a budget-friendly program in the state, keep reading. Below, we'll highlight cheap online PhD programs and other affordable online doctoral degrees.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Montana

If you'd like to save on your doctoral degree, you can find affordable online colleges with quality programs in Montana. Explore the list below to review the state's cheapest online PhD programs and other degrees.

1. Montana State University

Montana State University, in partnership with Montana Technological Institute (MTech), offers the collaborative Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in materials science. Faculty members deliver this 60-credit program at both schools each semester, in-person or virtually, depending on the semester. GRE scores aren't required to gain admission to this program.

The school also offers a PhD in education with an adult and higher education specialization. In this program, students take online and in-person classes and participate in a one-year on-campus full-time residency.

• Average cost per credit hour: $449
• Financial aid: First-year PhD students can qualify for a graduate teaching assistantship and tuition waiver. More funding options are offered in later years.
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

2. Rocky Mountain College

Rocky Mountain College's online Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) is a 36-hour program designed to help students become more impactful physician assistants. Online courses explore healthcare policy, health promotion, communication in medicine, global health, and more.

Admission requires a minimum 3.0 graduate GPA, a master's degree in physician assistant studies, and proof of current physician assistant licensure/certification. Full-time students can earn their doctorate in 12 months.

• Average cost per credit hour: $833
• Financial aid: Federal student aid (work-study and loans) and scholarships can make this program more affordable.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

Do you want to expand your search for doctoral degrees with online education options? Review the list below to find programs in other parts of the country.

University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming offers five Doctor of Education (EdD) programs for students seeking positions in academia or leadership roles in K-12 settings. Degree options include:

• curriculum and instruction
• higher education administration
• learning, design, and technology

Enrollees can also choose from educational leadership and mathematics education programs. Academic advising, tutoring, writing help, and library access are available to help distance education students excel.

• Average cost per credit hour: $398 (in-state); $606 (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Scholarships, fellowships, and other aid help learners save on tuition costs and fees.
• Accreditation: HLC

Liberty University

Students seeking advanced degrees at the doctoral level can find dozens of online programs at Liberty University. For instance, the school offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for students interested in family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner careers.

A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) offers tracks in healthcare management, nonprofit leadership, and beyond. More terminal degree programs are available in divinity, English, special education, criminal justice, and health sciences.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $410
• Financial aid: Learners can save money with tuition discounts, scholarships, and federal aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Louisiana State University Shreveport

The EdD in leadership studies at Louisiana State University Shreveport prepares students for chief learning officer, provost, college president, chief executive officer, and other advanced roles. Coursework explores mentoring for leaders, social and group dynamics, and ethics in leadership.

Enrollees can choose from three concentrations: disaster preparedness and emergency management, health communication and leadership, and leadership studies. Admission is open to learners with a master's degree and (preferably) a 3.5 GPA in graduate coursework.

• Average cost per credit hour: $411
• Financial aid: Federal student aid, scholarships, employer tuition assistance, and military benefits help reduce costs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

University of Alabama

At the University of Alabama, students can choose from numerous online specialist, master's, and bachelor's degree programs. Learners ready to advance their careers at the highest level have access to over half a dozen flexible online doctoral options.

PhD and EdD programs are available in communication and information sciences, educational leadership, mechanical engineering, and special education. The school also offers a DNP for students with RN licensure and a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) seeking high-level nursing roles.

• Average cost per credit hour: $480
• Financial aid: The school offers online scholarships and financial aid options for graduate students.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Capella University

Capella University offers high-paying PhD programs for students ready to further their careers in education, healthcare, social work, and beyond. Online programs include a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in school psychology, Doctor of Social Work (DSW), and Doctor of Information Technology (DIT).

Learners can also pursue online professional doctorates such as the DNP, EdD in educational leadership, and DBA in organizational leadership and development. For these programs, students can follow the school's self-paced FlexPath format.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $525 (GuidedPath); $3,400 to $3,480 per 12-week session (FlexPath)
• Financial aid: Scholarships, employer and military benefits, and student loans help lower tuition and fees.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Mississippi State University

Online doctoral degree programs at Mississippi State University enhance learners' skills in education, technology, and other disciplines. The school's EdD in educational policy and organizational design gets students ready for leadership roles in professional agencies and academic settings.

Engineering, computer science, community college leadership, and plant and soil sciences also help PhD degree seekers advance their careers. MSU provides tutoring, academic advising, coaching, and other services to help enrollees excel.

• Average cost per credit hour: $558.50
• Financial aid: Scholarships, employee tuition remission, and federal student aid are available to lower costs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

University of South Carolina

Learners seeking online education degrees can find EdD programs in four concentration areas. The curriculum studies program teaches various perspectives and theories in curriculum development, while the education systems improvement concentration discusses how to solve system problems in education.

In the STEM education program, graduate students learn to solve problems in education settings related to STEM. The learning design and technologies degree prepares learners to design and develop technology-based learning and instruction.

• Average cost per credit hour: $572.25
• Financial aid: The College of Education provides scholarships, fellowships, and other aid to make learning more affordable.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Bryan College

The DBA at Bryan College aims to help doctoral students with a business background advance their skills beyond what is gained in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. The accelerated degree, consisting of short eight-week online courses, can be completed in three years.

Program requirements include completing and presenting a research project in a dissertation with an oral defense. The college provides academic support for coursework and research.

• Average cost per credit hour: $600
• Financial aid: Federal and state aid and scholarships make online learning at Bryan College more affordable.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

Our team carefully vetted the schools in this rank list to ensure that each has met the following criteria for providing high-quality programs:

• Accreditation: All schools are accredited by nationally recognized organizations like the NWCCU or the SACSCOC.
• Affordability: These colleges reduce tuition rates or provide financial aid to help students cover their graduate degrees.
• Program reputation: We verified that the schools above provide quality educational programs for on-campus and distance learning students.
• Online student resources: Schools in this list support online students with resources and services that include mentoring, tutoring, library access, and guidance for original research.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Montana?

The cost of an online doctoral degree in Montana varies. Factors such as residency (in-state vs. out-of-state) and enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time) can impact the amount learners pay for their programs.

Enrollees looking for lower-cost degrees might consider Montana State University's hybrid PhD programs, which cost $449 per credit. Students can also look for cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA inside and outside the state.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Montana

Financial aid is a fantastic way to lower the costs of an online doctoral program in Montana. Graduate students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for federal loans, work-study programs, and some state aid and school scholarships.

But that's just the beginning of financial aid options available to doctoral program enrollees. Many schools offer graduate assistantships, which are work opportunities offering a stipend and possibly partial or full tuition remission. Doctoral degree seekers could also apply for a fellowship, which is funding to support graduate study, a research project, or professional development.

Explore Online Doctoral Degrees

Take the next step toward an exciting journey in higher education by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools to learn how they can help you reach your academic and career goals.