Affordable Degrees
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Are There Free PhD Programs Online?

Are There Free PhD Programs Online?

Low-cost and free PhD programs use reduced tuition, scholarships, and other financial aid to help doctoral students cover the cost of their terminal degrees.

Although fully free online PhD degrees are not available, students seeking an affordable degree path can significantly reduce costs through various financial aid options. Federal and state aid, scholarships from higher education institutions, and other funding sources can cover most tuition costs for eligible students. However, it is important to note that additional costs beyond tuition may apply.

If you're looking for free online colleges with reputable doctoral degree programs, keep reading to find alternative institutions offering financial assistance to make learning more affordable. Below, we'll discuss where you can locate nearly free PhD programs online.

Can I Get a PhD or Doctoral Degree Online for Free?

You won't find a college or university that doesn't charge tuition or fees for doctoral programs; however, you can locate schools that significantly reduce costs. For example, you might look for free 1-year PhD programs online and instead find low-tuition accelerated degrees with numerous scholarships and discounts.

The most affordable online colleges offer various forms of financial assistance to lower the cost of their doctoral degrees. While they won't be completely free, students will enjoy fewer financial obligations.

How To Make Your Online PhD Degree Affordable

Online doctoral degree programs can help you advance your career and boost your earnings without sacrificing your personal or work schedule. Want to learn how to make your degree more affordable? Explore tips for lowering costs below.

FAFSA, State Aid & Scholarships

Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important step in qualifying for federal and some state aid, including loans, work-study jobs, and grants. The FAFSA form is also sometimes required to prove financial need for institutional scholarships.

When searching for low-cost doctoral programs, consider the cheapest online colleges that accept FAFSA. Also, look for schools that offer scholarships for online graduate students and accept funds from businesses and organizations.

Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are employment opportunities that enable students to work directly with faculty in their academic department or complete tasks on campus. Awardees work as research assistants, teaching assistants, or general graduate assistants.

Students typically receive a stipend for their assistantship work and might secure a tuition waiver, health insurance, and other benefits. The stipend can be used for school or personal costs.

Fellowships

Fellowships are awards designed to support graduate study, research, or career goals. Unlike assistantships that require students to work in exchange for funding, fellowships often pay awardees to attend conferences, study abroad, volunteer for organizations, or take other steps to deepen their knowledge of their field of interest.

These merit-based awards commonly provide full or partial tuition remission and a stipend. Other benefits could include funds for housing, books, or travel expenses.

Military Benefits

Enlisted military personnel, veterans, spouses, and dependents can reduce the cost of earning a graduate degree through various military benefits. Options include the Post-9/11 GI Bill for veterans, the Montgomery GI Bill and tuition assistance (TA) for active-duty service members, and the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve.

In some cases, eligible service members can transfer some or all Post-9/11 Bill benefits to their spouse or dependent. The Fry Scholarship and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program are additional benefits for loved ones.

Tuition Discounts & Loan Forgiveness Programs

Colleges and universities often provide tuition discounts for employees and members of local businesses and organizations, as well as military members and alumni. Some discounts can reduce tuition by 15% or more.

Service-related loan forgiveness programs enable students to borrow money for doctoral study and have some or all funds forgiven if they agree to complete a work or service obligation in their field of study.

What Other Costs Should I Expect?

Students often only consider tuition when calculating the cost of earning a degree. While it's typically the largest expense, you can expect to pay other costs, including fees for distance learning, health and wellness, technology, and student activities. Here are additional costs you might encounter (some vary by program):

  • program application fee (plus transcript and other related fees)
  • standardized test costs (e.g., GRE or GMAT)
  • dissertation fee
  • clinical fee
  • residency fee
  • lab fees

When determining the cost of your doctoral degree, consider the amount you'll need for books or other study materials, internet access, and a laptop, tablet, or another learning device.

10 Low-Cost Online PhD Programs and Doctoral Degrees

Many schools nationwide provide funding to reduce the cost of online PhD and other doctoral programs. Explore the list below to learn about some of the nation's most affordable programs.

1. Wright State University

Wright State University's Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in computer science and engineering prepares learners to contribute to peer-reviewed publications in their field of study and effectively communicate technical concepts to peers. Students explore programming languages, data structures, computer organization, and operating systems; they have the option to work on research projects with faculty members. Part-time and full-time enrollment is available, and courses are offered during the day, evening, or online.

Average in-state tuition: $439 to $730 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $717 to $1,195 per credit

Financial aid: The Wright-Patterson AFB (WPAFB) Graduate School Scholarship provides up to $6,000 in tuition support per year to full-time graduate students, including PhD and Doctor of Education (EdD) enrollees. Awardees must be employed at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and can take face-to-face classes, online courses, or a combination of both. Students seeking additional funding can find departmental scholarships for up to $2,000.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Florida

The University of Florida offers fully online EdD programs in computer science education, educational leadership, and educational technology, as well as a hybrid EdD in higher education administration. These programs enhance learners' leadership skills as they prepare for advanced roles in the field. To gain admission, students should have a master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university. GRE scores aren't required.

Average in-state tuition: $448.73 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $448.73 per credit

Financial aid: Online EdD students can apply for dozens of graduate scholarships, including the $6,000 Elizabeth and William F. Leonard Endowment Scholarship, $5,000 Dr. Hannelore Wass Endowed Scholarship, and $4,750 Mildred M. and Robert S. Baynard Fund.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. Capella University

Students can enhance their careers in various disciplines with online doctoral programs from Capella University. The institution offers advanced degrees in behavior analysis, counselor education, and psychology. Additional programs include the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Social Work (DSW), and Doctor of Public Health (DPH). All degrees have at least one specialization and follow the self-paced FlexPath learning format or the traditional GuidedPath option with schedules and deadlines, or both.

Average in-state tuition: $525 to $1,020 per credit (or $3,400 to $3,480 per 12-week billing session for FlexPath)

Average out-of-state tuition: $525 to $1,020 per credit (or $3,400 to $3,480 per 12-week billing session for FlexPath)

Financial aid: Scholarship opportunities include a $20,000 award for behavior analysis enrollees, $5,000 for counseling and psychology degrees, and $2,000 for PhD students studying counselor education and supervision. Eligibility is open to learners who follow the GuidedPath format. Learners seeking additional financial support can consider transfer credits, a student/alumni referral scholarship, and military benefits.

Accreditation: HLC

4. Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University has online doctoral programs in business, education, emergency, and safety that provide research support, academic writing assistance, and milestone mapping to help enrollees excel. Degrees include the Doctor of Emergency Management (DEM), Doctor of Organizational Leadership (DOL), and DBA programs with concentrations in emergency management, business management, and occupational safety and health.

Average in-state tuition: $545 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $545 per credit

Financial aid: Each doctoral program offers a scholarship that covers up to 30 credit hours toward the recipient's tuition for up to three or four years (depending on the program) or until the completion of the selected online program (whichever comes first). The university offers additional safety and emergency services, business, and military scholarships to lower costs.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Kansas State University

At Kansas State University, enrollees can choose from over half a dozen online doctoral programs with affordable tuition rates. Some programs are available 100% online, including the PhD in counselor education and supervision, PhD/EdD in curriculum and instruction, and PhD in security studies. Hybrid degrees requiring in-person visits are available in personal financial planning and adult learning and leadership.

Average in-state tuition: Starting at $551.14 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $551.14 per credit

Financial aid: Online graduate students who choose to live in Manhattan, KS, might qualify for graduate assistant (GA), graduate teaching assistant (GTA), or graduate research assistant (GRA) roles. Assistantships provide a stipend (paycheck), waiver of non-resident tuition charges, health insurance, and paid parental leave. GTAs receive tuition remission. In addition to assistantships, K-State offers scholarships, fellowships, and other funding to help domestic and international students save.

Accreditation: HLC

6. Salisbury University

Professionals ready to advance their careers in education can find a flexible online doctoral program at Salisbury University. The EdD in literacy studies explores communicative practices in the 21st century while preparing students for careers in academia and preK-12 educational environments. Learners should have a master's degree in literacy, education, or a related field and at least three years of professional experience when applying.

Average in-state tuition: $583 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,015 per credit

Financial aid: The EdD in literacy studies program offers two full-time graduate assistant (GA) positions with a stipend and tuition waiver of up to 18 credits per fiscal year. Students can also access tuition reimbursement options and apply for the Christopher Scholars Program, Diane D. Allen Scholarship, and Salisbury University Holmes Scholar program.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

7. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point offers an EdD in educational sustainability for students interested in building socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable communities. The 54-credit, three-year online program includes an annual four-day in-person residency and five unique dissertation options. Enrollees can focus their studies on the program's 12-credit graduate certificate in equity and inclusion in education.

Average in-state tuition: $750 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $750 per credit

Financial aid: Federal financial aid and a limited number of graduate assistant positions can help enrollees lower tuition fees. The university also offers opportunities like the EdD in Educational Sustainability Inclusivity Scholarship of up to $1,500 for first-year doctoral students and the $10,000 Harju Center for Opportunities in Education fellowship for a second- or third-year student.

Accreditation: HLC

8. Mount St. Joseph University

Mount St. Joseph University is home to an online EdD with a concentration in reading science that includes on-campus summer institutes. This program, which is designed for working professionals, explores the science of reading to help enrollees develop the necessary skills for education professor and literacy leadership roles. To gain admission, students need a minimum 3.5 GPA in coursework related to a master's degree.

Average in-state tuition: $825 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $825 per credit

Financial aid: Reading science doctoral program tuition scholarships cover 80% of tuition expenses for all incoming doctoral students. Candidates who qualify for additional need-based scholarships can have 100% of their tuition covered.

Accreditation: HLC

9. Regis College

Learners with a bachelor's degree in nursing and active RN licensure can pursue Regis College's 44-month Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. This program has 100% online coursework, three start times per year, and six nurse practitioner tracks. Students searching for the shortest PhD programs and doctoral degrees might consider the school's fully online Master of Science in nursing (MSN) to DNP, which has eight concentrations and can be completed in two years.

Average in-state tuition: $995 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $995 per credit

Financial aid: Students can reduce costs with employee, federal, military, and alumni discounts of up to 15%. Regis also offers the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), which makes loans from a federal government grant and then offers partial forgiveness by canceling 85% of the loan over four years. DNP program graduates must serve full-time as faculty in an accredited school of nursing to receive loan forgiveness.

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

10. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee helps students advance their healthcare careers with a post-master's DNP offered 100% online. Coursework explores biostatistics, health policy, leadership practice, and more to help enrollees prepare for the highest level of clinical nursing practice. In this program, learners take 11 courses and participate in a 460-hour leadership immersion experience in a clinical or community setting.

Average in-state tuition: $1,000 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,000 per credit

Financial aid: The university offers student employment, fellowships, grants, loans, and military education benefits. Scholarships are also available, such as the renewable Froedtert Memorial Hospital Scholarship, which awards an average of $5,000 to enrollees in various disciplines, including clinical doctoral nursing students.

Accreditation: HLC

Find an Affordable Online Doctoral Degree Near You

Begin your journey toward an exciting experience in higher education by exploring the accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest today to learn how they can assist you in reaching your academic and career goals.

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