Earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) online can unlock doors to new career paths and leadership positions, increase earning potential, and lower unemployment. However, paying for a doctoral degree program after earning, in most cases, a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree may be a barrier for some students.
Because online Ph.D. programs focus on educating leaders and innovators within a given field, many financ
ial support options exist to help students afford doctoral degrees. This article highlights some of the most financially supportive Ph.D. programs in the U.S., including those that may offer students a path to earning a doctorate degree for free.
It also includes expert guidance from Blanca Villagomez, a program coordinator and counselor at UC-Irvine, on choosing the Ph.D. program that’s right for you.
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Best 50 Free Online Ph.D. Programs
What You Should Know About Free Ph.D. Programs
Attending a Ph.D. program for free typically means that a student receives enough financial support from the institution and other sources to fully cover the cost of their doctoral degree, not that the school doesn’t charge tuition and fees for attendance. Students should carefully research any colleges that claim to offer online doctoral programs without charging tuition, as this is not common among legitimate post-secondary institutions.
The most common types of funding for online Ph.D. programs include fellowships, assistantships, grants, and scholarships.
Find a fully-funded Ph.D. program
As you research online doctoral degree programs, you may encounter the phrase “fully funded.” This is how schools typically advertise free doctoral programs, as it means that students receive funding that completely covers their cost of attendance.
In fully-funded doctoral programs, students often receive either an assistantship or a fellowship.
Doctoral students who receive an assistantship are employed by their university, often as teaching assistants (TAs) for undergraduate classes or research assistants (RAs) to faculty or researchers. Arrangements vary by online doctoral program, and students may either receive funds that they can use to pay for tuition and other expenses or have their tuition waived in exchange for their employment. In addition to maintaining academic standards, doctoral degree students must fulfill their work obligations to keep their assistantship.
Meanwhile, fellowships are awards given to students in doctoral programs to continue pursuing an academic focus or interest. Schools and outside organizations can offer fellowships for doctorate programs, which are similar to research grants. Fellowships operate more like research grants in that students are expected to use this financial support to help them further their research goals, but there aren’t specific work expectations like there are for assistantships.
In both cases, doctoral degree students may also receive benefits like health insurance, a stipend for living expenses, and tuition waivers. However, it’s important to note that fully-funded Ph.D. programs tend to be highly competitive with limited availability. Students should inquire early about the eligibility criteria for available fellowships and assistantships to ensure they submit a strong application.
Seek out scholarships and grants
Scholarships and grants can also help students cover the cost of online doctoral programs. These types of funding are considered gift aid because they don’t have to be repaid and often don’t have requirements like assistantships or fellowships. Scholarships and grants are often awarded based on financial need, although some may be awarded to students in doctorate programs based on academic or professional merit.
Students can obtain scholarships and grants for doctoral degree programs through their institution or outside sources, such as professional organizations, private non-profits and endowments, federal and state governments, and community and religious groups.
In order to obtain need-based aid, students must typically submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should consult with their school’s financial aid office to learn more about available scholarship and grant opportunities.
Here are a few examples to give you an idea of exactly how these awards work for online doctoral programs:
CAPCSD Ph.D. Scholarships
Every year, the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders awards $20,000 to students enrolled in a Ph.D. program for communication sciences and disorders. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae, a summary of their research dissertation plan, and a letter of support from their research advisor signed by the program director.
Russell Sage Foundation Dissertation Research Grants
This award of up to $10,000 is for students in doctoral programs who are researching topics related to the Russell Sage Foundation’s mission of improving social and living conditions in the United States. These funds must be used specifically for dissertation research expenses, such as study participant incentives, laboratory costs, and travel.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The National Science Foundation, which is an agency of the U.S. federal government, offers this award to STEM students who intend to enroll or are currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program. The fellowship provides three years of financial support, including a cost-of-education allowance of $16,000 to the institution and an annual stipend of $37,000.
ISC2 Graduate Scholarships
This program offers awards of $1,000 to $5,000 to students pursuing a master’s degree or doctoral degree related to cybersecurity. On-campus students as well as those earning their doctoral degree online are eligible to apply.
Avoid non-accredited degree mills
When prioritizing free or low-cost Ph.D. programs, it’s important to also be mindful of the quality and legitimacy of the institutions you’re considering.
Make sure that any private college you’re considering is a nonprofit organization. Many private for-profit organizations that offer online doctoral programs, especially those claiming “free” doctoral degree programs, are actually degree mills. This means they operate like a postsecondary institution even though they don’t have the proper accreditation to award legitimate doctoral degrees.
Degree mills focus more on generating revenue than providing high-quality education. They often attract users by advertising free tuition, only to charge an assortment of other fees (exam fees, graduation fees, etc.). They also often lack qualified faculty, effective curriculums, and sufficient support staff.
Says Villagomez, “Attending a non-accredited college or degree mill can negatively impact a student’s post-graduate opportunities, including employment and professional licensure, as many employers don’t recognize degrees from these types of schools.”
There are a few ways to determine whether a doctoral program is legitimate. Look up the doctoral program online for information about accreditation and non-profit or for-profit status. You can independently verify this information using the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). Look for the names of regional accrediting organizations. Colleges approved by one of these organizations are held to strict standards for academic quality, ensuring that students will be prepared to enter their chosen field upon graduation.
An additional clue is the URL of the school’s website. Ensure that the school’s domain name ends in “.edu,” as this signifies it is a recognized educational institution. Other suffixes, such as “.org” or “.com,” indicate that the school is likely for-profit and may lack accreditation.
Online Ph.D. Programs Frequently Asked Questions
Should I earn a Ph.D. degree online or in person?
“When deciding whether to pursue an online or on-campus Ph.D. program, there are several factors to consider,” Villagomez says. “Due to the rigorous nature of a doctorate program, an online program can offer students the flexibility to manage multiple responsibilities while studying and attending classes. However, an on-campus program may be more suitable for those who prefer direct contact with faculty, peers, and resources.”
Support for research and dissertation preparation is another consideration. “Since a Ph.D. degree consists of extensive research, be sure to screen available programs based on what your research opportunities look like,” Villagomez says. “Conducting research requires many hours of independent study and discipline, so choosing between an online or on-campus program can impact your research trajectory. Ensuring that you have the best team by your side for your dissertation is also imperative. You want to evaluate the strength of a department’s faculty and assess how you will stay connected with them depending on the program setting.”
How much does an online Ph.D. degree program cost?
There are several factors that determine how much an online Ph.D. degree can cost, including the type of school a student attends and how much financial support they receive.
According to the Education Data Initiative, as of 2023, the average cost of a Ph.D. at a public university was $72,990, while students at private institutions paid an average of $101,810 for their doctoral degrees.
As noted above, there are many options students can explore to lower the cost of their Ph.D. degrees. Earning an online degree can also save students money, as it allows students to live in an area with a lower cost of living, eliminates transportation costs like gas and parking, and provides more flexibility so students can continue to work while earning their degree.
For the most accurate information on the cost of a Ph.D. program, consult with a financial aid counselor at your school.
How long does it take to earn an online Ph.D. degree?
The duration of Ph.D. programs varies widely, as they often include flexible timeframes for completing all course and dissertation requirements. According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), as of 2020, the average completion time for a doctorate degree was about eight years. Doctorate degrees in physical and earth sciences took the least amount of time to complete, with an average of 6.3 years. Meanwhile, doctorate degrees in education took, on average, 12 years to complete.
Students should consult with an admissions counselor or program representative from potential programs to get more specific information on the length of time they can expect to be in their Ph.D. program.
Is an online Ph.D. degree worth it?
“Earning an online Ph.D. can provide students with opportunities to advance their careers, develop expertise in their chosen fields, and produce scholarly research,” Villagomez says. “However, determining its worth depends on a student’s personal needs, educational goals, and potential career outcomes. I recommend students evaluate those variables seriously to make an informed decision before pursuing this degree.
Villagomez also points out that, even if students are attending a Ph.D. program for free, earning a doctorate still requires a significant time investment. “These types of programs often require a minimum commitment of five years, although they can often extend beyond that. But longer graduate programs may not always equate to a higher return on investment.” Students should research the earning potential for the career or job they plan to pursue and compare that to the financial and time investment required for a Ph.D. program to help them determine if a program is worth it.