Are There Free PhD Programs Online in Texas?

Although fully free online PhD programs may not be available in every field of study, students seeking an affordable degree path can significantly reduce costs through various financial aid options. Federal and state aid, scholarships from higher education institutions, and other funding sources can cover a portion of tuition costs for eligible students. However, it is important to note that additional costs beyond tuition may apply.

If you would like to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Texas, then it pays to know which universities offer fully funded online PhD programs. These are almost 100% free PhD programs online when you combine their tuition rates with a financial package of scholarships, fellowships, and online work-study opportunities. We invite you to use this guide to find an almost free doctorate degree online in the Lone Star State.

Can I Get a PhD Degree Online for Free in Texas?

The best way for doctoral students to get their degrees at a bargain rate is to locate tuition-free online colleges and see if you can PhD funding from them. Texas may not have 100% free PhD programs online, but many graduate students enroll in fully funded online PhD programs by getting enough financial support to cover all their academic costs. You can do this as well while getting an advanced degree in fields like business administration, computer science, public health, the humanities, or nursing practice.

What Does PhD Funding Cover?

PhD funding helps you pay for everything from tuition fees and textbooks to application fees and all the supplies you need for major research projects. PhD students should never start an online doctoral degree without knowing all the miscellaneous expenses and having a plan to afford them. This even includes getting enough stipends to cover living expenses if you leave the workforce to pursue your degree full-time.

Graduate students, even online learners, should get to know faculty members in their department as soon as possible and ask about research assistant or teaching assistant roles before enrollment. Many online students earn their way through graduate school by teaching undergraduate courses remotely or assisting professors by grading papers and exams. This helps you prepare for a career as a professor and develop essential leadership skills by teaching and tutoring undergraduates online.

How Do I Receive PhD Funding?

The first way to acquire funding is to see what you get after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most programs require you to do this to qualify for aid � and there are many accredited online schools that accept FAFSA. This gives you the chance to earn tuition waivers, discounts, and many other generous institutional or outside benefits.

This will open the door for you to earn scholarships, fellowships, research internships, Texas-based grants, federal grants, and other awards you won't have to repay. Some awards require a work-study component, whereas others depend solely on academic merit (i.e., maintaining a high grade point average). You may also qualify for financial aid through needs-based grants or military veteran status.

Fully Funded Online PhD Programs in Texas

The next step to earning the cheapest doctorate degree online is to find high-quality programs that work with you to secure funding sources. These are the top schools in Texas for online doctoral programs with generous financial aid.

1. University of Houston

The University of Houston offers an online education program for its Doctor of Education (EdD), with specializations in either literacy or social studies. This public university offers graduate assistantships, scholarships, tuition fellowships, dissertation awards, and various other ways to offset tuition costs. Both online doctoral students and on-campus students qualify for these funding opportunities.

Average in-state tuition: $386.00 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $896.00 per credit hour

Financial aid: Students should look into Houston's website page for graduate funding, which includes further information on the Graduate Tuition Fellowship, the Houston Endowment and Presidential Fellowship, and other resources for PhD students.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. East Texas A&M University

East Texas A&M University grants an EdD degree, which is fully online, requires 60 credit hours, and takes about four years to complete. The university advertises nine graduate-level scholarships, including the H.M. Lafferty Doctoral Scholarship and the Doctoral Student Scholarship Fund. You should also inquire about the School of Education's other department-specific scholarship opportunities.

Average in-state tuition: $407.66 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $815.66 per credit hour

Financial aid: There are also needs-based scholarships for graduate students who completed their undergraduate education at East Texas A&M.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

2. Angelo State University

Angelo State University (ASU) offers online coursework and degree programs for undergraduates, international students, and graduate students. This includes an EdD program focused on educational leadership, consisting of eight-week and 16-week sessions.

The program website specifically addresses general scholarships, degree-specific scholarships, and its premier ASU Distinguished Graduate Scholarships. All graduate students receive consideration for the distinguished scholarship upon enrollment without having to apply.

Average in-state tuition: $417.16 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $827.16 per credit hour

Financial aid: ASU boasts tuition rates that are 20% lower than Texas's Division I public universities. You can make your education even more affordable by completing the FAFSA and obtaining grants and scholarships.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington grants PhD degrees in three academic fields: business administration, nursing practice, and education. These have different price tags, with nursing and business costing more than educational doctorates. The university offers tuition waivers, tuition insurance, and tuition exemptions to offset costs.

Average in-state tuition: $417 to $660 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $610 to $1,868 per credit hour

Financial aid: Teachers who work for a Texas state institution automatically qualify for in-state tuition rates. There are also discounts for first responders, firefighters, senior citizens, and nurses who intend to enter a teaching role.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas (UNT) offers a PhD in learning technologies, which is available in an accelerated online learning format. Most program graduates enter academia or become teachers or administrators in Texas.

You can use the UNT Tuition Estimator to predict your annual tuition and fees � which comes out to $3,910 per year for most in-state students. That's the cost you would pay before lowering the bill further with scholarships, grants, and waivers.

Average in-state tuition: $434.44 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $850 per credit hour

Financial aid: The university awards $450 million in scholarship money to 70% of its students who attend either in-person or online.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

Explore Online PhD Programs

Learn.org has every resource you need to find affordable online learning opportunities for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We cover every aspect of financial aid, applying for programs, identifying corporate reimbursement programs, and beyond.