Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in Mississippi 2025

Online doctoral degrees are popular among working professionals who have little time to commute to campus or meet for scheduled in-person classes. Do you want to learn virtually but desire a low-cost option? In Mississippi, many schools offer affordable online doctoral programs. Keep reading to discover some of the state's cheapest online PhD programs.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in Mississippi

Distance education enables doctoral students to learn in flexible online settings without disrupting their work lives. If you're ready to earn your degree, review the list of affordable online colleges below to find the cheapest online PhD programs in Mississippi.

1. Delta State University

Cleveland is home to Delta State University, a four-year public school offering flexible, fully online master's degrees, specialist programs, and bachelor's degrees. Students can also choose from two online professional doctoral degrees.

The Doctor of Education (EdD) in professional studies prepares learners for roles as higher education administrators, principals, and curriculum coordinators. This program has no GRE requirements. Working nurses seeking a terminal degree can pursue the online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

• Average cost per credit hour: $469 (part-time)
• Financial aid: Delta State offers graduate assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and loans to help students reduce school costs.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. University of Mississippi

The EdD in higher education at the University of Mississippi is designed for working professionals who want to help colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations improve equity. The three-year online program includes seminars exploring the development of an appropriate dissertation topic and contemporary innovations in teaching. Completing 48 hours of post-master's degree coursework culminates in a dissertation-in-practice (DiP).

• Average cost per credit hour: $514
• Financial aid: Graduate scholarships, grants, assistantships, and other financial aid help enrollees save.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. William Carey University

William Carey University prepares learners for career advancement with flexible doctoral-level online healthcare, music, and education programs. Students can choose from Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in health administration and education, health education, nursing education, and nursing education and administration.

The school also offers an EdD in educational leadership and a Doctor of Arts (DA) in music. To enhance enrollees' learning journeys, William Carey provides success coaching, tutoring, and library access.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $525
• Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, state grants, and work-study jobs are available to increase degree affordability.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of Southern Mississippi

Students seeking online doctoral degree programs in technology, education, or nursing will find reputable options at the University of Southern Mississippi. PhD programs are available in computer science, education (research, evaluation, statistics, and assessment), nursing leadership, and international development.

The school also offers EdD degrees that prepare learners to excel in P-12 and higher education administration. Once enrolled, learners are supported with writing help, tech support, and access to school libraries.

• Average cost per credit hour: $556.12 (part-time)
• Financial aid: Financial aid, scholarships, and assistantships reduce costs for graduate students.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University offers online learning options for students seeking high-paying PhD programs. Computational engineering, computer science, industrial and systems engineering, and instructional systems and workforce development are a few fields of study leading to PhD degrees.

Other degrees include plant and soil sciences and aerospace engineering. Upon completion of many of these programs, learners will qualify for leadership roles or positions in academia.

• Average cost per credit hour: As low as $581
• Financial aid: PhD students can reduce the cost of their degrees with grants, loans, fellowships, and external funding.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Wesley Biblical Seminary

Wesley Biblical Seminary's Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is a hybrid program for students who have earned a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Master of Arts (MA) in Bible, theology, and ministry and are currently working in ministry roles. The three-year, part-time program features online coursework and four one-week intensives.

Courses explore transformational preaching, sacramental leadership, Wesleyan ministry, and more. Before graduating, students must complete and defend a Dissertation Ministry Research Project in front of a committee of faculty members.

• Average cost per credit hour: $600
• Financial aid: School scholarships, federal aid, and support from churches can reduce school costs.
• Accreditation: Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (ABHE)

7. Belhaven University

At Belhaven University, students interested in doctoral degrees can find online programs in varied disciplines. These degrees, which consist of seven-week online courses and some on-campus residencies, are designed to accommodate learners with busy schedules.

Programs include the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and EdD in educational leadership. To help online education and business students excel in their programs and beyond, Belhaven provides academic assistance, library access, tech help, and career guidance.

• Average cost per credit hour: $635
• Financial aid: Students can use educator discounts, special scholarships, military benefits, federal aid, and more to save.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Mississippi College

The Doctor of Professional Counseling (DPC) at Mississippi College is the first clinical doctorate developed for professional counselors. This 72-hour online advanced degree prepares practicing counselors and psychotherapists for high-level clinical practice and leadership.

Specializations enable students to focus their careers on marriage and family counseling, addiction therapy, or the treatment of eating disorders. Admission requires outstanding performance in a master's degree, post-master's degree, or doctoral program, including a 3.25 GPA for graduate coursework.

• Average cost per credit hour: $750
• Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, and military benefits are some funding opportunities for MC students.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

Do you want to expand your search for online doctoral programs? Explore the list below to find degrees in other parts of the U.S.

Liberty University

Learners at Liberty University can choose from over 100 doctoral, postgraduate, and specialist degree programs, many offering 100% online coursework. Areas of study include government, health science, divinity, education, and business.

Whether enrollees want to earn an EdD in higher education administration and organizational leadership, a PhD in criminal justice, or a family nurse practitioner DNP, Liberty has program options. Enrollees enjoy a self-paced learning format with flexible scheduling, short eight-week courses, and eight annual start dates.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $410
• Financial aid: Students can make learning more affordable with scholarships, tuition discounts, federal aid, and payment plans.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina delivers an EdD program with four 100% online concentration options. The curriculum studies program explores theories and perspectives in curriculum development, while the education systems improvement concentration teaches learners to solve systemic problems in education.

Additional concentrations explore STEM education and learning design and technologies. Virtual tutoring, peer writing, and academic consultations guide students through their academic journeys.

• Average cost per credit hour: As low as $515
• Financial aid: Scholarships and student loans are available to help enrollees cover the cost of their graduate degree.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

Our team carefully vetted the schools in this rank list to verify that they have met the following criteria for providing quality degree programs:

• Accreditation: Each school is accredited by nationally recognized organizations such as the SACSCOC or the ABHE.
• Affordability: The colleges in this list offer lower tuition rates, scholarships, or financial aid to make earning an online degree more affordable.
• Program reputation: We confirmed that these schools provide quality educational programs for all students, whether in on-campus or distance learning programs.
• Online student resources: Colleges above provide support services such as online tutoring, library access, peer mentoring, and guidance with original research for dissertations.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in Mississippi?

The cost of earning an online doctoral degree in Mississippi varies. Factors like residency (in-state vs. out-of-state), enrollment status (part-time vs. full-time), and program (ex. English vs. social work) can impact the amount students pay.

If you want to make your program more affordable, consider online schools with lower tuition costs for doctoral degrees. You can also save by taking advantage of employer tuition assistance programs, school discounts, military benefits, and financial aid.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in Mississippi

Financial aid can significantly reduce tuition costs for Mississippi online doctoral degrees. Common types of aid for doctoral degree seekers include school and private scholarships, state grants, assistantships, and fellowships. Students can also pursue federal student aid, including work-study jobs (if able to commute to the campus) and student loans.

Qualifying for federal financial aid and some grants and scholarships requires first submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To maximize your benefits, search for the cheapest online colleges that accept FAFSA.

Explore Online Doctoral Degrees

Begin an exciting journey in higher education by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools directly to discover ways they can help you achieve your goals.