8 Cheap All But Dissertation (ABD) Completion Programs 2025

Earning a doctoral degree is hard work. In fact, according to Franklin University, about 50% of people who start their PhDs do not finish their degree.

One of the hardest parts of many doctoral degrees, especially Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs and other research degrees, is the candidacy phase. This phase happens when you've finished ''all but dissertation'' (ABD) requirements.

Because many students exit the program during this phase, many schools offer ABD degree programs to allow candidates to finish their degrees. Keep reading to learn more about ABD completion programs.

What Is an ABD Completion Program?

Nearly all research degrees and some professional doctorates are split into two phases: the coursework and the dissertation. The first phase, coursework, requires students to take courses related to their field of study and on research methods.

Once students have completed the required coursework and passed the required exams, they become doctoral candidates and move on to the second phase, the dissertation. During this phase, students conduct research, compose a dissertation, and defend that dissertation.

ABD completion programs are for students who have completed the first phase but not the second. These programs help ABD students finish the dissertation process.

Specific requirements for these programs vary between schools. In most cases, the majority of your credit hours focus on dissertation work, but you may still need to complete some doctoral coursework to meet the university's requirements.

How Long Do ABD Completion Programs Take?

The dissertation stage of a doctoral degree is the stage that can vary the most in terms of time. How long it takes to complete a dissertation will depend on the program, as well as your field of study and how much time you put in each semester.

In general, full-time students can finish ABD programs in one to two years. Some schools may offer part-time options that take longer.

How Much Do Online ABD PhD Programs Cost?

Doctoral degrees can be expensive, with many schools charging over $1,000 per credit for an online doctoral program. However, there are also schools that don't charge as much, with some costing doctoral students less than $500 per credit hour.

The amount you pay will depend on what school you choose, how many credit hours you need, and what financial aid you qualify for. Many schools offer financial support to graduate students. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what you qualify for.

Top Cheap All But Dissertation (ABD) Completion Programs

Several schools in the U.S. offer programs for doctoral and PhD students who haven't finished their dissertations yet, but some can be pretty pricey. We've highlighted some of the most affordable all but dissertation completion programs below.

1. Morgan State University

Morgan State University is a public historically Black university (HBCU) in Baltimore, MD. Through its ''Morgan Completes You'' program, it offers online PhDs to ABD students in five areas:

• interdisciplinary studies
• interdisciplinary engineering, information, and computational sciences
• interdisciplinary health and human sciences
• interdisciplinary journalism and mass communication
• organizational policy, governance, and administration

This program is specifically for PhD students who have completed their necessary doctoral-level coursework. It guides students through the other major milestones of their program, including the dissertation proposal, conducting research and writing the dissertation, and the dissertation defense.

• Estimated tuition cost: $485 per credit
• Financial aid: Morgan State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private student aid.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Carson-Newman University

At Carson-Newman University (CN), students seeking a Doctor of Education (EdD) can finish their doctoral studies through an ABD degree completion program. This program requires 24 credits focused on research and the doctoral dissertation.

CN, a private Christian school, is located in Jefferson City, TN. Most students here finish their ABD completion program in 15 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $585 per credit
• Financial aid: CN accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. Franklin University

Franklin University offers degree completion options for Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA), and EdD students. Franklin is a private, nonprofit university in Columbus, OH, geared toward adult learners.

The university's ''No-Fear Dissertation'' program provides a support system for dissertation status students. The dissertation phase for these programs can be completed in as little as one year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $748 per credit
• Financial aid: Franklin offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

4. Baker College

The DBA ABD program at Baker College doesn't actually require a dissertation. Students in this online degree can choose to conclude their degree with a dissertation or through a capstone project.

Baker College, located in Owosso, MI, is a private nonprofit university. Both ABD tracks here are designed to allow students to finish their doctorate in a year and a half by earning 25 credit hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit
• Financial aid: Baker offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. National University

National University is a private, nonprofit institution in San Diego. It offers over a dozen completion programs for ABD status students, with some of the most affordable being:

• EdD in instructional technology ($914 per credit)
• Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) ($949 per credit)
• Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) ($970 per credit)
• EdD in education leadership ($981 per credit)

A range of PhD completion programs is also available. The Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) at National University requires students to complete three bridge courses before they complete their dissertations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $914 to $1,299 per credit
• Financial aid: National University accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC)

6. Indiana Institute of Technology

Doctoral students at the Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) take the school's ABD completion pathway to earn a PhD in global leadership. This is a primarily online program that requires two in-person immersion weekends.

This nonprofit, private university is located in Fort Wayne, IN. The ABD program here requires a total of 66 credits, of which 33 can be transfer credits.

• Estimated tuition cost: $935 per credit
• Financial aid: Indiana Tech accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Concordia University Wisconsin

Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) offers a DBA completion program for students who were previously enrolled in a business or leadership-focused doctoral degree. CUW is a private Christian university in Mequon, WI.

The program requires 60 credit hours, 30 of which must be taken at CUW. These include credits from dissertation-related research courses and a residency.

• Estimated tuition cost: $950 per credit
• Financial aid: CUW offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Saint Peter's University

The EdD ABD in educational leadership at Saint Peter's University is a flexible, fully online degree completion option. It requires students to complete a minimum of 18 credits focused on research and the dissertation at Saint Peter's.

Saint Peter's, located in Jersey City, NJ, is a private Catholic school. It offers numerous support services to students in the ABD stage, including assistance with time management, academic writing, and research methods.

• Estimated tuition cost: $975 per credit
• Financial aid: Saint Peter's offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

How We Rank Schools

To choose the schools with affordable all but dissertation programs for this list, we focused on:

• Accreditation: Every school is regionally accredited.
• Affordability: We looked at the most affordable ABD completion programs, and all schools offer options for less than $1,000 per credit.
• Program reputation: Each institution is a nonprofit school and is known for offering high-quality graduate school programs.

FAQs About ABD Completion Programs

If you've gotten most of the coursework finished for your doctorate degree, an ABD completion program is a great option. We've answered some frequently asked questions about these programs below.

Is an ABD Completion Program Worth It?

If you've already put in the effort to earn your doctorate degree, an ABD completion program is absolutely worth it. This allows you to put all that work to use and finally earn your doctorate.

Are ABD Completion Degrees Respected?

An ABD completion degree is just as respected as any other type of doctorate. However, if you're concerned, keep in mind that most schools will just list the degree you earned and not specify that you earned it through an ABD completion program.

What Are the Admission Requirements for an ABD PhD Program?

The admissions requirements for a PhD all but dissertation program will vary. Usually, they'll require you to have a certain number of credit hours already completed from an accredited doctoral program.

Other requirements may include:

• a master's degree
• a minimum graduate GPA
• a qualifying exam like the General Records Examinations (GRE)
• letters of recommendation
• personal essays

Can You Work While Completing an ABD Program?

Whether or not you can work while completing an ABD program depends on the program. Many ABD completion options are online or offer evening courses precisely so students can work while finishing their degree.

Discover More Online Doctoral Programs

Start your journey toward finishing your doctorate by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.