Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees in North Carolina 2025

The Tarheel State has many public and private universities and colleges, offering online and affordable programs. These include degrees like the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD), Doctorate of Education (EdD), and Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), as well as an array of other advanced credentials.

If you're looking to pursue advanced academic research or a higher position on a budget, then online doctoral programs could be a great option. These online degrees help to build valuable leadership skills and master complex research methodologies. Keep reading to see some of the cheapest online PhD programs.

Cheapest Online PhD & Doctoral Programs in North Carolina

These 10 affordable online doctoral programs are among the least expensive in North Carolina. This section explains the average cost per credit hour, funding opportunities, and accreditation statuses.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Doctor of Public Health

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) offers a master's degree and a Doctorate in Public Health (DPH) for online students. It ranks as the second-best public school for public health education in the U.S. Successful candidates for admission must possess at least five years of relevant work experience, and full-time employment in a public health position, including managerial experience and organizational leadership.

The program does not require applicants to submit Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores for consideration. This makes it a terrific online education option for working professionals looking to augment their credentials while gaining deeper insights into public health topics.

• Average cost per credit hour: $292.46
• Financial aid: Graduate students can offset tuition costs by participating in university fellowships, utilizing GI benefits, or private grants.
• Accreditation:UNC's program receives accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health and the University and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

2. University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Doctor of Nursing Practice

UNC Charlotte's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program involves a 42-credit program at a respectable $288.82 per credit hour. Through online training, they develop advanced nurse practitioners with a focus on clinical inquiry, transformational leadership, community epidemiology, economic and financial aspects of healthcare, and several other crucial subjects.

Applicants must already possess a master's degree in nursing to qualify for acceptance into this terminal degree program. You must also have at least a cumulative 3.5 grade point average (GPA) or higher in previous graduate education. UNC Charlotte's online instruction occurs all year long except during the summer.

• Average cost per credit hour: $288.82
• Financial aid: The university offers financial aid for in-state residents only.
• Accreditation:This program receives accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

3. Appalachian State University - Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Appalachian State's Doctoral of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) is available fully online. The program trains psychologists to serve rural and underserved patients across the area. They admit about six to eight applicants yearly, allowing them to maintain an excellent professor-to-student ratio for effective online learning. This is a key consideration for remote learners in the social sciences and related career fields.

• Average cost per credit hour: $327.11
• Financial aid: Financial aid comes from internship opportunities available at seven locations, such as Carnegie-Mellon University.
• Accreditation:Appalachian State's program holds a contingency accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) through 2029.

4. North Carolina State University - Doctor of Nuclear Engineering

North Carolina State University (NCSU) has made its Doctor of Nuclear Engineering program online. This Raleigh university, the largest in the state, now confers graduates with leading credentials in nuclear engineering after completing 72 credit hours of coursework in topics like plasma science, nuclear fueling, radiation interactions, and reactor systems.

It also offers competitive tuition fees for the quality of education they offer for distance education. NCSU's website also shows clear guidelines for applying for funding, even with the support of financial aid counselors for prospective students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $546.50
• Financial aid: Students can support their academic endeavors with grants, fellowships, traineeships, and the university's Graduate Student Support Plan.
• Accreditation:This university holds accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

5. University of North Carolina at Wilmington - Doctor of Nursing Practice

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) offers three variations of the DNP degree, concentrating on either nurse executive leadership, family nurse practice, or psychiatric mental health nursing.

These programs are only partially online, so prospective students would need to make some commitment to in-person instruction. Also, the nursing leadership focus requires just 36 credit hours, whereas the other two concentrations require 70 credit hours.

• Average cost per credit hour: $318.15
• Financial aid: UNCW has at least three graduate-focused scholarships, including the Dr. Ralph W. Brauer Fellowship.
• Accreditation:The DNP program receives accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

6. Western Carolina University - Doctorate in Education

Western Carolina University (WCU) is one of several North Carolina universities offering a Doctorate in Education (EdD) � at one of the most affordable rates with partially online options. The program is what they term an ''executive EdD for working professionals.''

If you fall under this category, then WCU may suit your career goals with many convenient online courses. This doctorate grants many mid-career teachers and principals an excellent chance for career mobility across several avenues of education administration.

• Average cost per credit hour: $372.82
• Financial aid: WCU awards lucrative scholarships at the university level, called Graduate Excellence Awards, ranging in value between $2,000 and $5,000.
• Accreditation:This program holds three accreditations, including one from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

7. Carolina University - Doctor of Ministry

This unique doctoral program, with 100% online coursework, prepares would-be ministers with specialized training beyond the undergraduate and master's levels. It only requires 36 credits for completion, costs an affordable $410 per credit hour, and teaches many important techniques for nonprofit ministry work.

This could be an ideal program for motivated North Carolinians trying to hone their skills in biblical preaching and church revitalization. Applicants can also transfer up to 50% of their previous graduate credits into this program.

• Average cost per credit hour: $410
• Financial aid: Carolina University presents a nine-step process for obtaining financial aid from their website.
• Accreditation:Accreditation is from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).

8. University of North Carolina at Greensboro - Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) grants this terminal degree in business administration to its online students. It accepts applicants with a master's degree in either business, political science, public administration, economics, sociology, or another social sciences field.

Its training in empirical research methodologies delves into intricate business matters at local, regional, and global levels. If you want to make contributions to the body of scholarly literature on this subject, UNCG's faculty can assist.

• Average cost per credit hour: $200
• Financial aid: The website provides information for scholarships, financial aid, and a 'bill estimator' to help students manage expenses.
• Accreditation:UNCG's program has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

9. North Carolina State University - Doctorate in Design (DDes)

This doctoral program for professional design work teaches the most sophisticated techniques for online students. Other than a one-week workshop, the entire program involves remote work for 57 credit hours.

Admissions requirements include GRE scores, a statement of purpose, and, most importantly, a digital portfolio of creative work. You should also obtain at least three letters of recommendation.

• Average cost per credit hour: $546.50
• Financial aid: There are four categories of financial aid: scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment.
• Accreditation:NCSU graduate programs receive accreditation from SACSCOC.

10. University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

There are two Doctor of Education (EdD) programs at this university: one for superintendent concentration and another for learning, design, and technology. It offers flexible formats for either 100% online or hybrid learning and place candidates in careers in public or private schools, higher education institutions, government, and other areas of educational leadership.

• Average cost per credit hour: $288.82
• Financial aid: You can finance your education with grants, fellowships, and scholarships.
• Accreditation:They possess accreditation through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

How We Rank Schools

How does Learn.org rank online PhD doctoral degrees for affordability? The rankings are based on the following criteria: accreditation status, affordability, program reputation, and online student resources. This framework helps students identify the cheapest online PhD programs without compromising educational quality.

• Accreditation: Online degree programs must have the approval of programmatic accreditation organizations under the oversight of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• Affordability: Institutions must provide affordable tuition and/or generous financial aid such as scholarships, grants, or school-specific tuition assistance programs.
• Program reputation: Although program prestige does not involve a perfect quantitative measurement, Learn.org references the most reputable grad programs such as those listed on the Open Education Database.
• Online student resources: Only graduate degree programs offering fully online or hybrid opportunities were considered for this list.

How Much Does an Online Doctoral Degree Cost in North Carolina?

The cost of an online doctoral degree will always be specific to particular graduate programs. Always research the specific tuition rates, student fees, textbook costs, and other expenses before applying.

For example, the University of North Carolina charges $292.46 per credit hour for in-state residents across all programs. However, you can lower the burden substantially by applying for North Carolina-based scholarships, which are lucrative for continuing education programs at highly ranked colleges.

Financial Aid for Online Doctoral Programs in North Carolina

All the aforementioned programs offer financial support for doctoral degrees. NCSU, for instance, dedicates an entire department to financial support through fellowships, paid internships, travel funding, grants, and a graduate student support plan.

You should also visit StudentAid.gov to learn more about funding for doctoral students, which includes financial aid at the federal, state, and school levels. Online doctoral students can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for consideration for further funding as well. Funding resources are available for full-time and part-time online degrees alike.

Discover Online Doctoral Degrees

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