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25 Most Affordable Online Ed.D. Programs of 2025

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Last updated on January 22nd, 2025 at 01:29 pm

Rankings Award - Most Affordable Online Ed.D. ProgramsEarn an accredited online Ed.D. at a highly affordable price! Use our 2025 rankings of the 25 cheapest distance learning doctorates in the U.S. to compare tuition rates and hidden fees. You'll find a huge range of CAEP-accredited public & private options in our list.

To help you achieve your financial goals, we've also included info on Ed.D. scholarships, discounts, and payment plans. There's even a bonus section on how to calculate costs!

Methodology for Most Affordable Online Ed.D. Rankings

To nail down the cheapest online Ed.D. programs in the country, we evaluated every school in our database that offered distance learning options. Then we manually researched each program to find out the true price of the doctorate. A few things to note as you’re skimming through our summaries:

  • Program Costs: We’ve quoted 2025 tuition prices and per credit costs. Because these frequently change, we’ve also provided you with a link to the school’s tuition & fees section!
  • Minimum Credits: We’ve given you a price estimate for the online Ed.D. program with the fewest amount of credits. In our profiles, you’ll notice that some schools also offer longer programs that cost more.
  • In-State vs. Out-of-State: If a public university had different rates for in-state and out-of-state students, we used the out-of-state rate to order our schools. But we’ve also quoted the in-state rate in case you’re lucky enough to live nearby!
  • Mandatory Fees: If mandatory per credit or per semester fees were required, we included those in the final tuition calculation. That’s why our estimates are occasionally higher than what’s quoted on the program page.
  • One-Off & Per Semester Fees: Because these can vary, we haven’t included one-off costs like the application fee, books & materials, and associated expenses. Ask the Ed.D. program coordinator for a sample budget to understand these items.
  • Non-Profit vs. For-Profit: For quality purposes, we deliberately excluded for-profit schools, even ones that were CAEP-accredited. You’re welcome to investigate them, but we recommend you read student reviews, talk to recent alumni, and discuss your options with current employers before you make a decision.

Rankings Update: How Prices Changed in 2025

Our most affordable online Ed.D. rankings stayed pretty consistent for 2025! Year after year, we’re seeing the same sturdy public and private universities offering the lowest prices, especially in the Southeast and South. Here are a few more illuminating discoveries from our 2025 rankings:

  • Once again, Valdosta State tops our list at #1. This state university in Georgia has consistently offered the cheapest online Doctor of Education in the country.
  • Universities have quietly been raising the price of their online learning or doctoral education fees. This fee is usually charged on a per credit (e.g. $20 per credit) or per semester basis. It can sometimes mean an extra $2,000-$4,000 on top of tuition.
  • There are still plenty of accredited online doctorates in education that are under $25,000, but a number of Ed.D. degrees in our top 10 are more expensive than last year.
  • This year, we’re welcoming the University of Alabama into our Affordable rankings! It offers three online doctorates in education, the cheapest of which is $27,000.

Cheapest Schools with Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs

Quickly navigate to the school of your choice! Each school profile contains links to affordable online Ed.D. offerings, details on CAEP accreditation and hidden tuition costs, and tips on scholarships & funding avenues. Don’t be afraid to comparison shop. You may find that your employer is happy to help subsidize a targeted program that’s sitting at #20, rather than an irrelevant doctorate that features in the top 5.

Rank School Minimum Cost
#1 Valdosta State University $20,748
#2 University of Arkansas $20,835
#3 University of North Georgia $21,399
#4 University of Massachusettts-Lowell $21,405
#5 University of West Georgia $23,052
#6 Northern Illinois University $24,140
#7 University of the Cumberlands $24,900
#8 Youngstown State University $25,200
#9 Louisiana State University-Shreveport $25,481
#10 Marshall University $25,729
#11 University of West Florida $25,857
#12 University of Alabama $27,000
#13 University of Wyoming $28,755
#14 Southeastern University $28,800
#15 Texas Tech University $28,980
#16 Kennesaw State University $28,998
#17 Northwestern State University of Louisiana $29,925
#18 University of Louisiana-Monroe $30,000
#19 University of Missouri-Columbia $30,338
#20 University of Kansas $30,345
#21 University of Southern Indiana $30,717
#22 University of Southern Mississippi $31,111
#23 North Greenville University $31,350
#24 Evangel University $31,395
#25 University of Colorado Denver $31,743

1 Valdosta State University

Minimum Program Cost: $20,748
Minimum Credits: 55
Cost Per Credit: $300 (Graduate eTuition) + Online Learning Fee

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

This public university hits our #1 spot thanks to a great eTuition rate and a solid track record! VSU is part of the University System of Georgia. The College of Education & Human Services (COEHS) is CAEP-accredited. Up to 9 credit hours of transfer credits are allowed. And, best of all, Ed.D. programs are streamlined & diverse—there’s an online doctorate in leadership and specialist hybrid options. Just bear in mind that VSU has high admissions standards (e.g. 3.5 GPA).

The eTuition rate applies to all fully online courses, and it’s the same for in-state & out-of-state graduate students. For example, for the 55-credit Online Ed.D. in Leadership, you might end up paying $20,748 in total. This figure includes eTuition for 46 credit hours of coursework (e.g. 24 months) and 9 credit hours for the dissertation (time varies), as well as the mandatory Online Learning Fee for ~9 semesters.  If you’re interested in the hybrid programs, ask the program coordinator about tuition rates for campus courses—there will be additional costs.

Trying to save even more money? Check out the COEHS Scholarships—there are a few options for graduate students. The Graduate School also has a section on Financial Aid for Graduate Students, with a list of general graduate scholarships and info on Graduate Assistantships.

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2 University of Arkansas

Minimum Program Cost: $20,835
Minimum Credits: 42
Cost Per Credit: $446.29 (Online Tuition) + Mandatory Fees

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

U of A’s CAEP-accredited College of Education and Health Professions (COEHP) has put together three intriguing—and cheap—online doctorates. They each have their own unique structure. For example, the 42-credit Online/Hybrid Ed.D. in Education Leadership includes one on-campus weekend seminar each semester. But the 54-credit doctorate in Human Resource Development is 100% online.

Each doctorate will have a separate cost, depending on the total credits (42, 54 or 60). The good news is that all students enrolled in U of A online programs pay in-state tuition rates for online courses, regardless of their state of residency. There are mandatory per credit fees (e.g. library fee), but they’re not large. Eyeing the hybrid Adult and Lifelong Learning doctorate? Ask the program coordinator if any courses are considered “on-campus,” since these have separate tuition & fee rates.

Need help financing your degree? Check out the College’s sections on COEHP Scholarships. Another useful site is the University of Arkansas AcademicWorks. Relevant doctoral scholarships include the Donald R. Miller Memorial Endowment (Phi Delta Kappa); the Dr. Roy B. Allen Endowed Scholarship (ELCF); and the George S. Denny Memorial Scholarship. The Global Campus also offers W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarships to students in graduate online degree programs. Ask the program coordinator if Ed.D. candidates are eligible to apply.

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3 University of North Georgia

Minimum Program Cost: $21,399
Minimum Credits: 60
Cost Per Credit: $477 (Online Tuition & Online Learning Fee)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

Higher education professionals will find plenty to love about UNG’s HELP doctorate. It’s a cohort-based, 100% online degree that comes from a CAEP-accredited College of Education. It only takes three years to complete. It includes dissertation preparation from the get-go. And it has a strong baseline threshold for admissions—applicants earn points for GPAs above 3.0.

The $21,399 price is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. UNG’s program timeline and tuition & fee charts can help you see how we calculated the cost of tuition, including the mandatory Online Learning Fee. With a 60-credit doctorate that takes 9 semesters, you’re looking at:

  • Semesters 1 & 2 = 9 credit hours each semester ($3,131 x 2 semesters)
  • Semesters 3-7 = 7 credit hours each semester ($2,509 x 5 semesters)
  • Semester 8 = 6 credit hours ($2,115 x 1 semester)
  • Semester 9 = 1 credit hour ($477 x 1 semester)

Additional miscellaneous fees are listed in the other fees/deposits section (e.g. application fee, graduation fee, etc.). Don’t forget to budget for books & materials.

College of Education scholarships are primarily reserved for students seeking teaching certification. You may have more luck with the section on Financial Information in Graduate Admissions. This has info on payment plans, graduate assistantships, and the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for University System of Georgia employees. You can also use the Nighthawk Scholarship Center to search for institutional awards.

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4 University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Minimum Program Cost: $21,405
Minimum Credits: 42
Cost Per Credit: $470 (Online Education); $655 (Online 7000-Level Education)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

If you’re a PreK-12 educator, UMass Lowell’s Ed.D. is worth your inspection! The College of Education often achieves a top 20 ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs. It has chosen to take part in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). And it offers the Ed.D. in two useful tracks: General Leadership or STEM. But it does not lead to licensure. Instead, it’s intended to help teachers and/or instructional leaders move up to the next level in their careers.

Check the Online Tuition & Fees section for the latest rates. For our calculations, we’ve combined 11 courses/33 credits at the online education rate with 3 dissertation courses/9 credits at the 7000-level rate. On top of tuition, you’ll also need to budget for three on-campus residencies (one week each summer) and associated fees (e.g. first-year student fee, registration fee per semester, books, etc.). Ask the program coordinator to provide a budget for the residencies!

Visit the section on Costs & Aid for Graduate Programs to get a sense of funding opportunities.

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5 University of West Georgia

Minimum Program Cost: $23,052
Minimum Credits: 60
Cost Per Credit: $449.60 (Lowest Online EdD Tuition)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

UWG Online and the CAEP-accredited College of Education (COE) have developed a wide range of cohort-based doctorates, including programs with multiple concentrations (e.g. School Improvement) and accelerated tracks for Ed.S. graduates! The Ed.D. in School Improvement is 100% online; Higher Education Administration and Professional Counseling require one on-campus visit for orientation; and Nursing Education involves a couple of trips. Programs start in the fall.

Online tuition rates at UWG are the same for in-state and out-of-state graduate students. The more courses you take in a semester, the more you’ll save. We’ve given you an estimate that’s based on 3 years of study for the online Ed.D. programs in School Improvement and Professional Counseling. However, Higher Education and Nursing Education have a more expensive tuition rate. There may also be miscellaneous fees.

You can offset these costs by applying for COE Scholarships—see the separate section for graduate students. In particular, the Leona Ingram Scholarship for doctoral students and the Thomas S. Upchurch Educational Leadership Scholarship are worth investigating.

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6 Northern Illinois University

Minimum Program Cost: $24,140
Minimum Credits: 42
Cost Per Credit: $574.75 (Online Ed.D. Domestic Tuition)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

NIU has your PreK-20 needs covered! The CAEP-accredited College of Education has developed a cohort-based, 100% online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with synchronous classes on one weekday evening.  The 54-credit Ed.D. in Community College Leadership is longer and not 100% online—there’s a week-long campus intensive each summer. But it’s packed with targeted topics and plenty of opportunities to network. Illinois residents can consider the Hybrid Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education.

Distance learning costs are explained in NIU’s section on Online Tuition & Fees. We’ve quoted you the domestic price for the 100% online doctorate in Educational Leadership; international students pay more. The tuition rate for the doctorate in Community College Leadership is the same for everyone, but it’s $589.75 per credit hour. And community college leaders will need to budget for travel to Naperville, IL each summer for the campus intensive.

If you’re looking for financial assistance, visit the website for NIU’s Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. They’ll be able to advise you on federal funding options (e.g. graduate loans) and external scholarships.

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7 University of the Cumberlands

Minimum Program Cost: $24,900
Minimum Credits: 60
Cost Per Credit: $415 (Ed.D. Tuition)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

UC’s online Ed.D. has much to recommend it. It comes from a private Christian university with a CAEP-accredited Department of Education. At 3 years, it’s short & sweet. It allows you to select a specialty area (e.g. Education, Nursing, Information Systems, etc.). And it’s flexible. The majority of classes are asynchronous, with no set log-in times.

UC is admirably straightforward about its tuition & fees. You’ll see the EdD Online rate listed in the Graduate Tuition section—all mandatory fees are included in the One Price Promise. You may also need to budget for one-off expenses like the application fee.

UC doesn’t have as many scholarships & support packages as large and heavily endowed public universities, but it does have an advice section on Graduate Student Aid. This has more details on external scholarship opportunities and UC payment plans.

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8 Youngstown State University

Minimum Program Cost: $25,200 (Out-of-State); $24,900 (Ohio In-State)
Minimum Credits: 60
Cost Per Credit: $420 (Online Out-of-State); $415 (Online In-State)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

YSU’s highly affordable online doctorates are brought to you by the CAEP-accredited Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences & Education. Even though they have different emphases, they share the same DNA: 60 credit hours, 32 months, and a traditional 5-chapter dissertation. We’re happy to see that the program also includes a mandatory “Clinical Experience.” Like an internship, these work-focused projects are completed under the supervision of an appropriately licensed administrator.

Tuition costs are uncomplicated. Ohio students pay a little less than out-of-state students, but the difference is negligible! There are no hidden fees and the one-time application fee will be waived for active military members & veterans. One thing to note—payment plans are not available for accelerated online students.

YSU is cheap to begin with, so there isn’t much in the way of financial aid for online students. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships can help with questions on loans & federal programs. You may also wish to ask the program coordinator if distance learners are eligible for educational leadership scholarships for dissertation research.

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9 Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Minimum Program Cost: $25,481
Minimum Credits: 63
Cost Per Credit: $411 (Ed.D. Tuition)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

Louisiana affordability strikes again! LSU Online has created a 100% online doctorate in leadership that can be applied to almost any situation. This program is not intended to help teachers become administrators. Instead, it’s a degree that seasoned PreK-20 leaders & relevant professionals can investigate. There are weekly Zoom meetings and multiple opportunities for career-building. Take 2 courses per session and you’ll finish in just over 2 years. Study part-time and finish in 3.5 years.

LSU Shreveport is a public university, but all online Ed.D. students pay the same pay-as-you-go tuition rate, regardless of their location. All mandatory fees are included in our estimate. There may be additional course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books—ask an Enrollment Coach about one-off costs.

Any questions on financial aid should be directed to LSU Shreveport’s Office of Financial Aid. LSU Online doesn’t offer any scholarships to Ed.D. students, but the Office may have ideas on external awards and funding schemes.

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10 Marshall University

Minimum Program Cost: $25,729
Minimum Credits: 45
Cost Per Credit: $571.75 (EdD/EdS Tuition & Program Fee)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

Marshall’s doctoral programs come to you courtesy of Marshall Online and the CAEP-accredited College of Education & Professional Development (COEPD). The highly affordable Ed.D. in Leadership Studies is tailor-made for leaders in schools, universities, government organizations, non-profits, the military, and more. In contrast, the Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction may be just right for educators who want a personal touch. You’ll be able to connect with peers during synchronous virtual class meetings on weekday evenings.

The 45-credit Ed.D. in Leadership Studies is a distance learning program, so it qualifies for online tuition rates. These are the same for in-state and out-of-state graduate students! We’ve included the mandatory $50 per credit Program Fee for EdD/EdS Advanced Programs in our calculations. The 57-credit Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction is longer, so it’s more expensive.

For financial assistance, start with the section on Scholarships. In the doctoral handbook, Marshall states that students pursuing dissertation research may be eligible for modest awards (e.g. $500). You may also want to check out the Graduate College’s page on How to Finance Your Graduate Education.

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11 University of West Florida

Minimum Program Cost: $25,857 (Out-of-State); $20,769 (Florida In-State)
Minimum Credits: 54
Cost Per Credit: $478.83 (Online Out-of-State); $384.60 (Online In-State)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

UWF’s School of Education (SOE) has been a CPED Designing and Developing Member since 2018, so we’re happy to report that its 54-credit Online Ed.D. in Instructional and Performance Technology includes a solid dose of practical courses, seminars, and a Dissertation in Practice (DiP). You’ll participate in 3 residencies with a few days of intensive face-to-face work. Better yet, UWF also offers a 60-credit Online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction.

Even though UWF is a public university, tuition & fees are still highly affordable for non-residents. Tuition waivers can cover up to 90% of out-of-state tuition for graduate students admitted to online programs. That’s the price we’ve quoted for you above. Renewal of waivers is not automatic and waiver requests must be submitted every semester. (Keep in mind that the online doctorate in curriculum & instruction has more credits, so the price will be higher.)

For more on funding, have a look at the sections on Financial Aid and Financial Aid FAQs and the School of Education’s page on SOE Scholarships. A number of SOE scholarships are open to graduate students, but we recommend you ask if distance learning students can apply. UWF Online also offers a zero-interest payment plan.

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12 University of Alabama

Minimum Program Cost: $27,000
Minimum Credits: 60
Cost Per Credit: $440 (Online Tuition) + College of Education Fee

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

UA Online offers three popular majors for its online doctorate in education, but they all have different credit structures. Curriculum & Instruction is 60 credits; Educational Leadership is 69 credits; and Special Education is 72 credits. The CAEP-accredited College of Education became a CPED member in 2024, so it’s a solid choice for almost any educational leader!

We’ve given you the price for Curriculum & Instruction, but the other majors will be slightly more expensive. See UA Online’s section on tuition for full details. We’ve factored the mandatory $10 per credit College of Education fee for graduate courses into our calculations. The online tuition rate does not include activity, recreation, athletic privileges, or health services fees.

UA Online also has some advice on financial aid and scholarships & grants, including details for graduate students applying for UA Online Scholarships. Be sure to ask the program coordinator whether online Ed.D. students are eligible for College of Education Graduate Scholarships—there are a number of endowed scholarships for doctoral students in educational leadership studies.

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13 University of Wyoming

Minimum Program Cost: ~$28,755 (Out-of-State); ~$19,035 (Wyoming In-State)
Minimum Credits: ~45
Cost Per Credit: $580 (Out-of-State) + Distance Fees; $364 (In-State) + Distance Fees

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

UW’s programs are well-known for being affordable. But we’re also pleased to report that the College of Education has street credibility! It’s CAEP-accredited. It’s participating in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). And it offers a wide range of online doctorates, including one that can help you earn the superintendent endorsement. Doctorates are listed as 75-81 credits, but the College accepts ~30 transfer credits from your master’s degree. Check each program page to learn about on-campus requirements—some may contain short visits (e.g. orientation & dissertation defense).

UW charges different online tuition rates for in-state, out-of-state, and alumni graduate students. Happily, the out-of-state rate is still pretty darn cheap. There are mandatory, per credit distance fees, which we’ve included in our price quote. You’ll also need to budget for travel expenses to the campus and associated costs (e.g. books). Be sure to talk to the program coordinator about how many master’s degree credits you’ll be able to transfer!

Looking for scholarships? Relevant awards are listed at the bottom of each Ed.D. program page and in the College of Education’s section on Graduate Scholarships. Another useful resource is the section on Graduate Education: Financial Assistance, which has details on general graduate awards, UW student employment, and external fellowships. Certain majors can also qualify for School of Counseling, Leadership, Advocacy, and Design (CLAD) Funding Opportunities such as travel awards.

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14 Southeastern University

Minimum Program Cost: $28,800
Minimum Credits: 54
Cost Per Credit: $500 (Ed.D. Tuition) + Doctoral Education Fee

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

Southeastern is a private Christian university, so programs in the College of Education have a religious flavor. Ed.D. applicants are expected to submit a Christian faith statement and teaching emphasizes a Christian worldview. Online doctorates are built for practicality, with hands-on practicums, two 3-day campus intensives, and multiple start dates. With a little grit & determination, you’ll be able to finish the degree in 3-4 years.

Southeastern’s tuition & fee structure is relatively straightforward. In addition to the cost that we’ve quoted, which includes the mandatory per semester Doctoral Education fee, you’ll have to budget for travel to the intensives during the first and second years. You may also be responsible for assorted costs like books & materials. Feel free to ask the program coordinator for a sample budget.

Southeastern’s price is already pretty low, so it doesn’t offer additional internal scholarships to online Ed.D. students. But it has developed an interest-free monthly payment plan.

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15 Texas Tech University

Minimum Program Cost: $28,980
Minimum Credits: 63
Cost Per Credit: $460 (Online Graduate Tuition & Mandatory Fees)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

PreK-20 leaders will find plenty to love in Texas Tech’s affordable doctorates. They come from a CAEP-accredited College of Education that’s participating in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). They’re 100% online. And they’re geared towards the workplace. The 66-credit Ed.D. in Educational Leadership includes superintendent certification preparation. The 63-credit Ed.D. in Educational and Instructional Technology embraces AECT principles.

We used Texas Tech’s Tuition Estimator to establish the per credit cost. All students pay the same tuition & fees for online graduate programs, including a mandatory online learning & distance education fee and miscellaneous university fees (e.g. student services). The tuition & fees section has info on additional costs, including one-time expenses and the per term College of Education Doctoral Support Center Fee (see the document on Global Fees).

The College of Education has a helpful section on Funding for Graduate Students, with details on fellowships & awards. Doctoral students are eligible for the Helen DeVitt Jones Fellowship, as well as General Fellowships. Depending on your circumstance, you may also want to look into Research Assistantships.

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16 Kennesaw State University

Minimum Program Cost: $28,998
Minimum Credits: 66
Cost Per Credit: $393 (Online Tuition) + Online Learner Fee

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

You’ll find KSU’s tech-driven Ed.D. in the Bagwell College of Education (BCOE). The College is not CAEP-accredited, but it’s involved in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) and it’s deeply committed to doctoral learning. We particularly like the fact that the 100% online Ed.D. is aligned to ISTE standards and it comes in two tracks—Advanced or Initial Certification. You can choose the one that suits your experience level.

Although KSU is a public university, online tuition rates are the same for all graduate students, regardless of their state of residency. We factored the per semester Online Learner fee into our price quote. You’ll also need to budget for books, materials, and any course-specific fees. Credit transfers are available for Ed.S. graduates.

For funding ideas, start with the list of BCOE Scholarships. The Graduate College also has an entire section devoted to Financial Information, with advice on tuition, financial aid, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. Be sure to explore the section on Scholarships for Education Majors.

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17 Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Minimum Program Cost: $29,925
Minimum Credits: 63
Cost Per Credit: $475 (eNSU Graduate Tuition)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

NSU is built on a sturdy foundation. It’s a public university in the University of Louisiana system with a CAEP-accredited College of Education and a convenient eNSU Global Campus. The online Ed.D. comes in two concentrations—Community College Leadership and Adult Learning & Workforce Development—and includes electives and a field-based practicum.

Graduate students in eNSU programs pay an inexpensive online tuition rate. This is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Additional expenses include the small application fee, textbooks, and course materials.

Distance learning students are eligible for traditional Financial Aid and credit transfers are available for previous graduate work. Students with military connections can also ask if the Ed.D. qualifies for eNSU’s deeply discounted military rate.

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18 University of Louisiana-Monroe

Minimum Program Cost: $30,000
Minimum Credits: 60
Cost Per Credit: $500 (Ed.D. Tuition)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

ULM’s short & sweet program is the brainchild of its CAEP-accredited School of Education. It’s a 100% online doctorate that can be completed in two years via eight-week terms. The curriculum is a balance of research & professional coursework for K-20 professionals. But ULM is unique in allowing students to choose a dissertation OR a capstone & action plan for their final project.

In the section on Ed.D. tuition, ULM states that tuition is pay-by-the-course. However, it doesn’t mention whether online graduate students are expected to pay additional fees (e.g. application fee). And it doesn’t give estimates for associated costs (e.g. course materials). So we recommend you ask the program coordinator for details on these two factors.

The university also doesn’t provide a great deal of information on financial support for graduate students. You can start by contacting the Office of Financial Aid. They should be able to answer questions about federal options (e.g. loans) and external scholarships.

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19 University of Missouri-Columbia

Minimum Program Cost: $30,338
Minimum Credits: 54
Cost Per Credit: $561.80 (Online Tuition)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

Mizzou has developed an excellent, cohort-based doctorate. It’s been built by a CAEP-accredited College of Education & Human Development. It’s been shaped by the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). And it’s a 100% online program with optional campus opportunities. This 3-year doctorate doesn’t lead to administrator certification, but it’s a real find for PK–20+ educators & leaders.

Visit the tuition & fees section for more info on costs. The affordable distance learning tuition rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state graduate students. You’ll also need to budget for one-off expenses like the application fee, books & course materials, and any additional course fees. When in doubt, ask the program coordinator for estimates.

The College of Education’s section on graduate financial assistance is a good place to start for money ideas—it has instructions on applying for financial aid and scholarships. You can also check the Graduate School’s section on Funding, which has details on federal aid, fellowships, travel awards, and graduate assistantships.

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20 University of Kansas

Minimum Program Cost: $30,345
Minimum Credits: 51
Cost Per Credit: $595 (Online Ed.D. Tuition)

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

KU’s 100% Online Ed.D in Educational Administration for PK-12 leaders is not only affordable—it’s one of the most prestigious distance learning doctorates in the Midwest. The School of Education & Human Sciences has come up with a 51-credit, 3-year program that can prepare students for Kansas licensure endorsement in school district administration. (Additional coursework can be added to complete the building-level endorsement.)

Tuition for this online doctorate is charged at a flat per credit rate for all students, regardless of their state of residence. Look at the non-standard program rate table for current figures. Better yet, these programs are not subject to additional course or campus fees.

If you need extra help, visit the section on Financial Aid & Scholarships. The School of Education and Human Sciences offers scholarships to current online doctoral students who have begun coursework and will be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per term for the following academic year.

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21 University of Southern Indiana

Minimum Program Cost: $30,717 (Out-of-State); $27,717 (Indiana In-State)
Minimum Credits: 60
Cost Per Credit: $446.94 (Online Graduate Tuition) + Online Fees

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

PreK-20 educators—take note! USI’s 100% online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is available in 3 unique tracks. The one in School District Administrative Leadership leads to school district-level licensure. This 4-year doctorate is designed for busy educators, with 1-2 classes per semester, an internship, and synchronous sessions on Wednesday evenings. For more info on faculty, visit the CAEP-accredited Department of Teacher Education.

The baseline tuition rate for online graduate students at USI is $446.94 per credit hour. To give you a clearer picture of the cost, we’ve also included the additional online learning fee of $50 per course for 18 courses and the $50 per credit hour, non-resident distance education fee. If you live in Indiana, your program will be cheaper!

Interested in cutting costs even further? Visit USI’s sections on Student Financial Assistance and Financing Graduate School. Before you apply, be sure to ask the program coordinator if online Ed.D. students are eligible for the Graduate Studies Scholarship.

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22 University of Southern Mississippi

Minimum Program Cost: $31,111
Minimum Credits: 54
Cost Per Credit: $556.12 (Online Tuition) + Fees

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

PreK-20 administrators will be pleased to hear that online doctorates in USM’s CAEP-accredited College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) are designed for working professionals. The P-12 degree includes a mandatory practicum in educational administration or supervision and the Higher Education degree features 12 credits of electives. These cohort-based, 3-year degrees are 100% online with no dissertation. Instead, all Ed.D. students at USM complete a practical capstone project.

USM is a public research university, but tuition & fees for online graduate students are the same for in-state and out-of-state residents. To give you the full picture, we’ve also included the mandatory per credit fees in our calculation. Additional course fees may apply, including costs for textbooks, course materials, and labs.

If you’re on the hunt for scholarships, try USM’s Golden Opportunities scholarship database, which allows you to search for relevant awards. Be sure to check out the Gibbes-Liberto Lifelong Learning Scholarship and the Nancy Whitten New Family Educational Leadership Graduate Scholarship.

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23 North Greenville University

Minimum Program Cost: $31,350
Minimum Credits: 58
Cost Per Credit: $510 (Ed.D. Tuition) + Technology Fee

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

Online doctorates at NGU’s College of Education are handily divided into two pathways: K-12 and higher education. Within those pathways, you’ll conduct field analyses of current practices and tackle a dissertation. The vast majority of coursework is asynchronous, but there will be occasional face-to-face synchronous sessions. On a part-time plan of study, you can finish your Ed.D. in 4 years.

Doctoral tuition rates are listed in the section on Graduate Tuition & Fees—we’ve included the mandatory per term technology fee for 4 years in our estimate. NGU is a private Baptist university, so all students pay the same price, no matter where they live. Ed.D. tuition is very reasonable, but it always pays to ask the program coordinator about one-off fees and the potential costs of Slingshot books & materials.

You may also want to talk to them about Graduate Financial Aid. NGU doesn’t appear to offer scholarships for online graduate students, but it does have a monthly payment plan.

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24 Evangel University

Minimum Program Cost: $31,395
Minimum Credits: 50
Cost Per Credit: $600 (Ed.D. Tuition) + Doctoral Fee

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

The online Ed.D. program at this private Christian university in Missouri covers the gamut of K-20 education. It’s a state-approved prep program for superintendents, but it’s also designed to suit curriculum specialists, school leaders, and university professionals who wish to specialize in higher education. It’s cohort-based and it’s practical. The curriculum includes an internship for K-12 administrators and a strong emphasis on technology as an instructional tool.

Evangel does a good job of laying out tuition rates and additional fees—we’ve included mandatory doctoral fees for 3 years/9 semesters in our estimate. But you’ll also need to budget for one-time application & graduation fees. You can pay for the degree in lump semester sums or through a monthly payment plan.

The Office of Financial Aid has a useful section on Graduate Scholarships & Grants, with details on departmental awards and discounts. In addition, Evangel offers tuition breaks on graduate programs to local Assemblies of God affiliate employees and educational partners, including school districts, churches, Christian schools, and businesses.

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25 University of Colorado Denver

Minimum Program Cost: $31,743 (Out-of-State); $26,721 (Colorado In-State)
Minimum Credits: 54
Cost Per Credit: $557 (Online Out-of-State); $464 (Online In-State) + Student Services Fee

Affordable Ed.D. Overview

In the past couple of years, CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development has expanded their online doctorate in Leadership for Educational Equity to encompass eight unique specialties. To accommodate working professionals, this 54-credit Ed.D. is cohort-based and most specialties are 100% online. But check the description. For example, Higher Education students are expected to visit the campus twice per year.

Colorado students pay a low resident rate for the Ed.D. Everyone else pays the higher (but still affordable) online rate for out-of-state graduate students—this is 120% of the in-state resident rate. Online students at CU Denver are required to pay for the per term Student Services fee, which we’ve included in our estimate, plus a one-off New Student fee.

If you need help with funding ideas, check out the School of Education’s section on Financial Aid and the section on Scholarships. There’s at least one award that’s open to doctoral students. The Office of Student Finances will have more info on payment plans.

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Bonus Round: Affordable Ed.S. to Ed.D. Programs

Our rankings are aimed at folks who already hold a master’s degree. This is the standard entry requirement for an online doctorate in education. (Having said that, a number of schools will help you earn both a master’s and an Ed.D.)

But in our research on affordable online Ed.D. programs, we came across a few cheap doctorates that cater to professionals who already hold an Ed.S. If you fall into this category, you may want to check out online offerings at the following universities. They are ranked in order of minimum tuition cost:

  1. William Carey University
  2. Northwest Nazarene University

How Much Do Online Ed.D. Programs Cost?

How to Calculate Total Program Costs

You’ll discover 25 reputable schools in our rankings of the cheapest online doctoral programs in education. They often come from big public universities or private universities with a Christian outlook. Many are CAEP-accredited and some are participating in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). Online Ed.D. costs at each school will vary, but here’s what to watch out for:

  • Per Credit Tuition Rate: At private universities, this is easy—all Ed.D. students pay the same rate. Public universities are trickier. Many schools have an “online tuition rate” that is the same for all Ed.D. students, regardless of their state of residency. But a few schools continue to charge different in-state and out-of-state rates, even for online doctorates. We’ve flagged those outliers in our rankings.
  • Distance Education Fee: Universities often tack on a mandatory, per credit fee for online learners. They’ll usually make this clear on the tuition page, but be sure to read through the entire section. Sometimes this info is included in “notes” at the bottom. Because it’s mandatory, we’ve included it in our tuition calculations.
  • Mandatory Fees at Public Universities: Certain public universities may also want to charge you for mandatory infrastructure fees (e.g. student services fee, institutional fee, technology fee, etc.). It’s not a rule—many public schools are willing to exclude online students from brick-and-mortar fees. If we’ve spotted them, we’ve included them in our tuition calculations.
  • Miscellaneous Fees: Keep an eye out for these. Public and private universities often tack on per semester or per term fees that cover areas like IT, student fees, and the like. Almost every school will charge you an application fee and a graduation fee. There may even be course-specific fees. When in doubt, ask the Ed.D. program coordinator for a list.
  • Additional Costs: Online Ed.D. programs may also contain hidden costs for course materials, books, IT equipment, and software. If your doctorate contains a campus component (e.g. summer residency, orientation, conference attendance, etc.), you’ll also have to budget for travel expenses, accommodation, and time off work.

The total price of your online Ed.D. will depend on your situation. For example, if you can transfer credits from a previous degree or graduate coursework, your tuition may be even lower than our quoted minimum program cost! Don’t be afraid to ask the Ed.D. program coordinator for a price breakdown. Some schools already do this on their program website.

Typical Online Ed.D. Prices for Master’s Level Entry

Overall, the most affordable online Ed.D. programs in the country range from $16,000-$32,000. In our rankings, you’ll see that the top 4 cheapest schools have kept their total tuition costs below $22,000. However, the majority of schools are in the $23,000-$32,000 range. And tuition rates usually go up every year.

Keep in mind that super-cheap programs often have fewer credits than some of the best online Ed.D. programs. This isn’t a bad thing, but it’s something to consider when you’re looking at the curriculum. How deep do you want to dig into the coursework? How much time do you want to spend on your dissertation? The price should be weighed against the quality of the teaching & rigor of the classes.