Considering getting your PhD? You are not alone. American universities have awarded nearly 60,000 doctorate degrees in 2016 and has been on a steady incline since 2000 when 40,000 PhDs were awarded. Among these doctorate recipients are many who chose to get their PhDs online.
Online PhD programs are now offered by over 200 accredited schools in a variety of disciplines ranging from computer science, business management, to educational leadership.
Getting an online PhD is, most times, far less expensive than the traditional classroom setting alternative. You can save money on everything from the cost of transportation to actual tuition.
So how much does on online PhD actually cost?
Tuition prices vary depending on the aschool’s academic strength and the doctoral discipline you decide to study. The cost of the top online PhD programs, including tuition, books, registration and online coaching, can range from $4,000 to upward of $20,000.
[Check out our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs]
For business professionals holding MBAs, an online PhD in business is very popular. Online business degrees are now available at over 400 accredited colleges and universities. The average tuition for a doctorate degree in business is around $11,000, according to recent surveys. Online PhD programs in Organizational Leadership are also very popular. The average tuition for such a PhD is about $19,500. Online psychology doctorates are another popular program, with programs averaging around $15,000.
An online PhD in Education tends to be the most expensive of doctoral programs. The average price of is over $21,000. Many school administrators, who work throughout the academic year, favor online graduate programs so they can study while working. These doctorate candidates have the benefit of taking summer courses as well. A PhD in Education candidate has a choice of nearly 100 accredited online schools to choose from.
In addition to cost-saving in transportation expenses, an online PhD in your chosen field can be a boost to your income as well. The investment in an online course can bring greater annual income and, in the long run, reduce the overall cost of tuition.
For those with established careers or have been a long time away from the college classroom, online higher degrees have become quite popular. After a long day at work, it is easier for the adult student to be at home or the local library working on his or her thesis. Many online college professors accommodate the working student by scheduling thesis reviews online at the convenience of the student.
So if you have employment constraints, responsibilities to family needs, and want to earn a larger paycheck, getting your doctorate online may be the best option. You may miss the chatter of the classroom and the face-to-face counsel of your thesis advisor, but you may find experience quite rewarding and less expensive.