Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Colorado 2025

Earning a doctoral degree is considered a huge academic and professional achievement, and can open up doorways to career advancement, research opportunities, and more. A PhD is regarded as the highest degree in academia, and can typically only be earned after a master's degree.

However, PhD and doctoral programs can be very expensive. Affordable online doctoral programs can be hard to find, but they offer students the chance to earn their terminal degree at a more affordable rate.

These cheap online PhD programs are great options for achieving your doctoral degree at a high-quality institution without breaking the bank.

Below is a list of the cheapest online PhD programs offered in Colorado, as well as a few that are nationwide and are available for Colorado residents.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Colorado

These cheap online PhD and doctoral programs are based in Colorado, and many offer reduced tuition for in-state students.

1. Colorado State University

Colorado State University (CSU) offers an online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in systems engineering with the same faculty, coursework, and academic standards as the on-campus program. Students can study at their own pace and are encouraged to work while enrolled to apply their studies to real-world scenarios.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,175
• Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, and federal work-study programs are all available.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

2. University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado offers a PhD in special education that empowers educators to become leaders and advocates for their students. Coursework includes curriculum development, grant writing, and statistics. Graduates will be prepared to lead their own special education programs and develop curriculums for students of all age levels.

• Average cost per credit hour: $734
• Financial aid: Graduate assistantships, scholarships, and grants. The University of Northern Colorado also accepts federal financial aid via FAFSA.
• Accreditation: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

3. University of Colorado Denver

The University of Colorado Denver offers some of the cheapest online PhD programs in the country, including Doctor of Education (EdD) in leadership for educational equity. There are three possible concentrations: executive leadership, higher education leadership, and justice, equity, and diverse identities (JEDI). This program sets students up for administrative roles from pre-K through higher education.

The time to completion is either two or four years, depending on full- or part-time status.

• Average cost per credit hour: $464 for in-state students, $557 for out-of-state students
• Financial aid: There are scholarships based on need, merit, community service, and work history. Federal financial aid is also accepted.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

4. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University (CTU) offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) designed for RNs who wish to further their nursing and leadership skills. The fully online format is flexible and accommodating for working adults with 10-week courses and ample financial aid opportunities.

• Average cost per credit hour: $598
• Financial aid: CTU offers military discounts, grants, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement deals depending on where you work while enrolled. It also accepts federal financial aid and many private loans.
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

5. Aspen University

Aspen University is a small, private, non-profit university in Denver that offers an online Doctor of Science in computer science (DSCS). Coursework includes algorithm design, risk management, computer ethics, and more. All coursework is 100% online with start dates every two weeks.

Computer science is one of the highest-paying doctoral degrees, with salary expectations for graduates being well over $100,000 per year.

• Average cost per credit hour: $595
• Financial aid: Aspen University accepts federal financial aid through FAFSA. It also encourages PhD students to seek scholarships through employers, nonprofits, and community organizations.
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

6. Regis University

Regis University is a small college located in Denver that offers numerous degrees, including a virtual DNP with accelerated coursework. Earning your DNP can open doors to higher levels of employment, including nurse practitioner, healthcare administrator, midwife, and more.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,108
• Financial aid: Regis University offers doctoral students many scholarships and grants. It also partners with employers to offer discounted tuition and accepts federal financial aid.
• Accreditation: American Association of Colleges of Nursing - Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (AACN-CCNE)

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

These online PhD and doctoral programs may not be based in Colorado, but are open to Colorado residents.

Liberty University

Liberty University offers an online PhD in business administration with four areas of specialization. Doctoral students can choose from entrepreneurship, executive coaching, leadership, or supply chain and logistics.

Liberty University offers dozens of online programs and has a great reputation for delivering quality online courses.

• Average cost per credit hour: $595 for full-time students, $650 for part-time students
• Financial aid: Liberty University offers military and first responder discounts, as well as corporate partnerships for tuition forgiveness. It also accepts federal and private loans.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Columbia International University

Columbia International University's online PhD in organizational leadership is ideal for those seeking a career in executive management, human resources, talent management, and more. This 27-month degree is research-driven and development-focused, encouraging students to develop leadership and management skills.

• Average cost per credit hour: $710
• Financial aid: Columbia International University offers various scholarships, including one specifically for this program. It also has military benefits for veterans and active-duty service members, as well as assistantships for qualifying students.
• Accreditation:SACSCOC

Capella University

Capella University offers three Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) specializations: general management, organizational leadership and development, and strategy and innovation. Capella has been providing quality online learning for over 20 years in both a synchronous (GuidedPath) and asynchronous (FlexPath) format.

• Average cost per credit hour: $765 per credit for GuidedPath students, $3,265 per 12-week billing period for FlexPath students
• Financial aid: Capella University accepts federal financial aid and it offers scholarships to qualifying students. It also has a tuition cap of $45,000, ensuring that students never pay more than that for their doctorate.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

National University

National University is a 100% online university offering a Doctor of Psychology with four concentrations � trauma psychology, neuropsychology, integrated healthcare, and correctional and forensic psychology.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,114
• Financial aid: National University accepts various financial aid opportunities, including federal and private loans. It also offers numerous scholarships to doctoral students.
• Accreditation: American Psychology Association (APA)

How We Rank Schools

We have an important set of criteria we use to evaluate schools, including program quality, affordability, and online student resources. These schools have been chosen based on the same criteria:

• Accreditation: All schools on our list are nationally or regionally accredited, ensuring you receive a quality education whether you study online or in person.
• Affordability: We look for affordable schools. This means either low tuition costs or ample financial aid opportunities, such as military discounts, assistantships, scholarships, and grants.
• Program reputation: Program reputation is especially important for doctoral degree programs. We look for programs with a longstanding history of excellence and adequate enrollment to support their continuation.
• Online student resources: We look for robust online student resources when ranking schools. These include free virtual tutoring, writing labs, office hours, and academic, financial, and career-focused advising opportunities.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Colorado?

Online degrees can vary in cost but are generally more affordable than an in-person degree. Online doctoral degrees can cost between $464 and $1,175 per credit hour. Most doctoral programs are approximately 60 credits, which costs anywhere between $27,840 and $70,500.

When looking at affordable online doctoral programs, it's important to look for shorter programs. For example, Colorado Technical University's DNP is only 49 credits. At $598 per credit hour, the total cost comes out to approximately $29,000.

However, if your doctoral program has a more robust credit requirement, there are many financial aid opportunities available in Colorado.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Colorado

There are many financial aid opportunities for online doctoral programs. The most common is federal financial aid, which students can apply for via FAFSA.

Many institutions also offer military and first responder discounts for qualifying students. Be sure to check with the institution of your choice for specific qualifications.

Scholarships, grants, and assistantships are all available to doctoral students at many of the listed universities. There are also many external scholarships available to Colorado residents.

Discover Online Doctoral Degrees

Pursuing an online doctoral degree is a huge step that can elevate your career to new heights. Various resources on Learn.org can help you find the perfect online program for you.