Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in New Jersey 2025

Earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is considered the pinnacle of education. It's a terminal degree demonstrating expertise in a specific field. PhD and doctoral degree program graduates are well-respected working professionals and offer a wealth of knowledge; however, higher education at any level can be expensive, and doctoral programs are some of the most costly out there.

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of a PhD or doctoral degree is to study online. On-campus coursework can be twice as expensive as online, with a myriad of student fees. Pursuing online education can help reduce your cost of attendance without sacrificing the quality of your degree.

Learn more about some of the cheapest online PhD programs for students in New Jersey, as well as our criteria for selecting the best advanced degree programs available.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in New Jersey

These are some of the most affordable online colleges that offer doctoral programs in New Jersey.

1. New Jersey City University

New Jersey City University (NJCU) offers a Civil Security Leadership, Management and Policy (CSLMP) Doctor of Science in a hybrid format, with mostly online courses and a handful of short residencies on campus in Jersey City. Coursework includes data analysis, budget development, civil security policy, and more.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,347.60
• Financial aid: Federal and state student loans, graduate assistantships
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. William Paterson University

William Paterson University's hybrid Doctor of Education (EdD) in leadership prepares students for educational leadership roles in P-12 settings, higher education, nonprofit organizations, and more. There is an emphasis on collaboration and community learning within small cohorts, as well as a commitment to social justice leadership in various settings.

• Average cost per credit hour: $913.40
• Financial aid: Several department-specific scholarships are available; state and federal aid is accepted.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

3. Rowan University

Rowan University offers a 100% online EdD in leadership with four specializations to choose from: community college, higher education, nurse educator, or P-12. All four tracks offer a four-year time to completion and relatively low tuition costs. Students will learn about leadership in academia through courses on social justice, ethics, public policy, and more.

• Average cost per credit hour: $983
• Financial aid: Institutional scholarships, work-study opportunities, federal financial aid
• Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Wilmington University

Wilmington University is based in Delaware but it partners with several New Jersey colleges. It also boasts a single tuition price, instead of separate rates for in-state and out-of-state students.

The online Doctor of Social Science in prevention science program integrates studies and theories from behavior science, economics, public health, public policy, and more. Students may accelerate this doctoral-level degree by applying credits from an approved master's degree.

• Average cost per credit hour: $713
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, federal student loans
• Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Rutgers University

Rutgers University offers a fully online Doctor of Health Informatics with minimal credit requirements. There are three healthcare specializations to choose from: health data analytics, health information management, or pharmacoinformatics.

The average salary for students after graduation is $104,000, making this one of several high-paying doctoral degrees.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,009
• Financial aid: Merit-based fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships; need-based employment, grants, and loans
• Accreditation: MSCHE

6. St. Peter's University

St. Peter's University offers an online EdD in higher education that balances theoretical concepts with practical applications. Learn about leadership best practices from experienced faculty members who are also leaders in education administration. Successful students have a master's degree in education and can commit full-time to the 48-credit program.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,025
• Financial aid: Internal and external scholarships, as well as loans.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

7. Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University utilizes an interactive online learning platform for its EdD program. Students develop competencies in areas, such as data analytics, education innovation, leadership, and more. The estimated time to completion for this program is only two years.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,038
• Financial aid: Federal and private loans
• Accreditation: MSCHE

8. Saint Elizabeth University

Saint Elizabeth University offers an EdD in leadership for PreK-12 designed to be completed in three years. Students will take courses in policy development, education leadership, education finance, and more.

Some synchronous courses are taught in person, but online students can join remotely via Zoom or another video platform. Two research projects precede the culminating dissertation study and defense.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,045
• Financial aid: Many grants and scholarships are available for NJ residents, including first responders, military, teachers, and more. Federal financial aid and private loans are also accepted.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Other Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Programs

While these affordable online doctoral programs are not based in New Jersey, they are accessible to NJ students.

Liberty University

Liberty University is a leader in distance education and offers some of the cheapest online PhD programs in the country. This 100% virtual Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) has low tuition rates and 17 different concentrations available to students.

Liberty University accepts up to 50% of transfer credits from a related professional doctorate, such as organizational leadership. Part-time students can expect to pay slightly more for tuition, but military members and veterans may qualify for a discount.

• Average cost per credit hour: $595
• Financial aid: Federal financial aid, scholarships, military discounts, employer tuition forgiveness programs
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers a PhD in Computer Science that can be completed online or in person. Graduates have worked in aerospace engineering, health sciences, renewable energy, and more. Students with a bachelor's degree can expect to take 90 credits, while students with a master's degree can expect to take only 60.

• Average cost per credit hour: $817
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, fellowships, and federal financial aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

How We Rank Schools

At Learn.org, we have a select set of criteria with which we rank schools. All of the schools listed above meet the following standards:

• Accreditation: We only feature degree programs that are certified by a regional or national accrediting body. This means that the U.S. Department of Education and future employers recognize it as coming from a legitimate institution.
• Affordability: All of the schools we feature have reduced tuition, funding for PhD students, ample scholarships, military discounts, or a combination of financial aid opportunities. We look for cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA to add to our lists.
• Program reputation: Reputable programs help graduates land high-quality jobs after finishing their terminal degree. Accreditation, enrollment, graduation rates, and student/employer testimonies help us determine a program's reputation.
• Online student resources: Distance learning can be tricky for students, especially those seeking a doctoral degree. We feature schools with online resources such as writing workshops, peer mentoring, academic advising, and more.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in New Jersey?

The cost of online doctoral degrees varies widely and largely depends on the credit requirements for that program. The cheapest New Jersey program listed above is at William Paterson University, at $913 per credit. The cheapest overall program is the DBA at Liberty University, where each credit is only $595.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in New Jersey

Financial aid for online doctoral programs can come through scholarships, grants, fellowships, assistantships, federal work-study programs, or loans. All graduate students are encouraged to fill out their FAFSA to receive federal financial aid.

While financial aid opportunities may be limited at some online universities, it's important to note that tuition is typically cheaper online. While you may not receive as many scholarships as you would on campus, your overall cost of attendance is likely to be the same.

Discover Online Doctoral Degrees

These online doctoral degrees in New Jersey have great reputations and a wealth of student success stories. You can discover more affordable online doctoral programs here on Learn.org.