Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Massachusetts 2025

Earning your doctoral degree is often considered the pinnacle of higher education. Many individuals who earn one go on to be pioneers in their field of study as leading researchers, professors, executives, and more.

However, many doctoral and PhD programs can be expensive. One of the ways to reduce the cost of your doctoral degree is by studying online. With a significant rise in virtual higher education in the last decade, affordable online doctoral programs have never been more attainable.

Below is a list of the best low-cost online doctoral programs in Massachusetts and a few out-of-state options offered to Massachusetts residents. You can avoid sacrificing quality by studying at one of these cheap online doctoral programs that offer their students a high-quality education.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Massachusetts

These Massachusetts-based doctoral programs are some of the cheapest online doctoral programs in the state, and offer students the chance to earn their doctorate in a variety of specializations from the comfort of their own home. Many are designed for working adults, allowing them to balance work, school, and family.

1. UMass Global

UMass (University of Massachusetts) Global offers a Doctor of Education (EdD) in organizational leadership degree designed for working professionals looking to lead schools, nonprofits, government agencies, or corporations. With three start dates a year, a two-year time commitment, and the potential to transfer in up to 12 credits, this program is both flexible and accessible.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,080
• Financial aid: UMass Global offers financial aid via scholarships and grants, as well as military assistance programs and employer partnerships. Educators and healthcare professionals may also be eligible for additional financial aid.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

2. Simmons University

This fully online Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) allows doctoral students to earn their degree in less than two years. Learners can choose between full-time or part-time enrollment to fit their needs, and can take their classroom learning directly to clients in this hands-on program.

Applicants must hold a master's degree in social work (MSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program, with three years of post-grad work experience. Online courses are held live to allow students to connect with one another and the renowned faculty.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,218
• Financial aid: Simmons University offers scholarships and military education benefits. Alumni are also eligible to receive up to 20% off their tuition, and all applicants are encouraged to apply for federal and/or private loans.
• Accreditation: CSWE Committee on Accreditation (COA)

3. UMass Lowell

UMass Lowell offers an EdD in leadership in schooling, which is designed to train individuals for educational leadership roles in PK-12 school settings. There is a one-week on-campus residency each summer, but the rest of the coursework is 100% online.

UMass Lowell boasts one of the cheapest online doctoral programs in the country and is extremely transparent about their financial aid opportunities. Grants and scholarships are available yearly, with $500,000 in payback-free aid afforded to graduate students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $470 for regular courses, $655 for 7000-level courses (dissertation planning and execution)
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, and loans are all available. A limited number of federal work-study jobs are also reserved for graduate students.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

4. Cambridge College

Cambridge College's Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in quality systems and improvement management is a fully asynchronous and flexible degree program. Students will learn to organize and lead teams, solve complex and real-world problems, and lead organizational assessments at every level of business.

• Average cost per credit hour: $705
• Financial aid: Cambridge College offers scholarships, grants, loans, and military benefits to qualifying students. Those seeking financial aid are encouraged to connect with a financial aid coordinator for assistance with their application.
• Accreditation: NECHE

5. Boston University

The online Doctor of Musical Arts in music education at Boston University is designed for music teachers who seek to broaden their horizons and improve student outcomes. Coursework includes philosophy, history, and psychology courses to create well-rounded students who will become well-rounded teachers.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,042
• Financial aid: Boston University offers grants, scholarships, federal work study, and assistantship opportunities for qualifying students.
• Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

6. UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst offers a 100% online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) that offers three specializations and a decorated faculty. Students can specialize as a family nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), or public health nurse leader (PHNL).

DNPs are one of the highest paying doctoral degrees with an average annual salary of $117,000, or $57 per hour. This gives earning a DNP a great return on investment.

• Average cost per credit hour: $875
• Financial aid: UMass accepts federal and private student loans, and may also offer assistantships.
• Accreditation: NECHE

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

These affordable online education programs may not be located in Massachusetts, but they're open to students currently residing in the state.

Capella University

The fully online PhD in behavior analysis is designed for behavioral analysts looking to become academic, research, or clinical leaders. Capella University is skilled in distance education and has been providing quality online courses for over 20 years.

Students who complete a behavior-analytic dissertation can apply for additional credentials, potentially earning a designation as a doctoral board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA-D).

• Average cost per credit hour: $555
• Financial aid: Capella University offers PhD students up to $20,000 in scholarships to put toward their tuition, as well as a 10% military discount.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Liberty University

Liberty University offers a PhD in English with 100% online and asynchronous coursework, allowing students to work at their own pace. Much of the focus is on British and American literature, with an emphasis on Christian literary history and its impact on Western literature as a whole.

• Average cost per credit hour: $595 for full-time students, $650 for part-time students
• Financial aid: Liberty University offers military students the chance to earn their doctoral degree for only $300 per credit hour. They also accept loans and federal student aid, and offer scholarships and grants to qualifying students.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

National University

National University's Doctor of Philosophy in computer science (PhD-CS) is comprised of only 20 courses, making it a lower-cost program due to its brevity. Students study artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and more.

National University offers year-round enrollment and robust support services for students facing financial, academic, or technical hardships. They also accept international students from around the world.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,039
• Financial aid: National University offers numerous scholarships for qualifying students, including alumni, military, and those facing financial hardships. They also accept federal financial aid.
• Accreditation: Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers a PhD in curriculum and instruction with a track in curriculum studies/teacher education (CSTE) that can be studied either in person or online. Both options require synchronous classes and face-to-face instruction.

Students will have the chance to practice curriculum development for all ages, including college programs and special education curriculum. This program is ideal for those with a master's degree in education who are looking to further their curriculum-building skills.

• Average cost per credit hour: $748 for out-of-state students, $339 for in-state students
• Financial aid: Assistantships and scholarships are available for qualifying students.
• Accreditation: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

How We Rank Schools

Our team has taken the time to vet programs based on an important set of criteria related to program quality, affordability, and online student resources. We rank schools and programs based on the following:

• Accreditation: Each featured doctorate program has received accreditation. This ensures high-quality courses, professors, and programming.
• Affordability: Affordable online doctoral programs can be hard to come by, especially with the rampant rise in tuition costs many students face today. The above schools all offer relative affordability by factoring in financial aid options such as assistantships, stipends, and scholarships.
• Program reputation: We investigate a program's reputation and consider how long an institution has been offering online graduate programs. For example, Capella University has been offering quality online education for over 20 years, making it reputable and recognizable by employers.
• Online student resources: Online student resources such as free tutoring, professional development opportunities, and ample virtual office hours are all contributing factors to our ranking.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Massachusetts?

An online doctoral degree in Massachusetts can cost anywhere from $470 to $1,080 per credit hour. In total, a PhD program can cost between $28,000 and $65,000. However, there are ways to reduce your cost of attendance.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Massachusetts

There are several financial aid opportunities for online doctoral students. Consider the following options:

• Scholarships and grants: Many schools offer scholarships and grants for qualifying students.
• Federal aid: Your chosen institution may accept federal student aid, which you can qualify for by filling out your FAFSA application.
• Work-study opportunities and stipends: Students can also apply for assistantships, stipends, and work-study opportunities to lower their cost of attendance.
• Military discounts: PhD programs are often military-friendly, offering discounts to veterans and service members.

Discover Online Doctoral Degrees

Online courses are a great way for students to earn their doctoral degree without breaking the bank or having to relocate. On Learn.org, you can discover many online doctoral degrees and find the one that's right for you.