Affordable Online PhD in Nursing Programs, Ranked by Tuition

UCF has the lowest resident doctoral-course tuition in this three-program comparison. The 2026–27 UCF Online graduate schedule lists $288.16 in tuition and a $327.32 per-credit total with the specified fees. Applied across a 66-credit plan, the latter produces a planning estimate of $21,603.12 before other charges, additional enrollment, or future rate changes.

The general graduate fee schedule is different: it shows $369.65 for residents and includes campus-based fees. Confirm that you will be enrolled under the UCF Online classification before relying on the lower schedule. The online nonresident published rate is $1,234.15 per credit, making residency a major part of the decision.

The nursing program offers full-time and part-time plans, with 66 credits for post-master’s students and 75 for post-BSN entry. Online delivery includes two intensives annually. The program page also distinguishes a fall 2026 start from summer starts beginning in 2027.

Consider This If: You qualify for Florida resident pricing and the required research and campus schedule fits your work.

Plan Around: Confirm the UCF Online fee classification and budget beyond the 66-credit minimum.

TWU’s 2026–27 graduate tuition is $323 per credit for residents and $751 for nonresidents. Doctoral nursing courses add $100 per credit. For a resident, a three-credit doctoral nursing course therefore carries $1,269 in tuition before fees. Using the $323 base alone would leave out a material part of the price.

The standard PhD requires 60 credits beyond the master’s. A hypothetical plan in which all 60 credits carried the doctoral nursing rate would total $25,380 in tuition. Your actual tuition depends on the course mix because statistics, electives, and other departments can carry different surcharges. Treat that figure as a scenario, not an official degree quote.

The current catalog requires three or four synchronous online meetings and an annual two-day fall colloquium in Denton or Houston. Dissertation courses may need repeated registration. Ask the bursar to price your planned courses and the department to explain the likely registration pattern.

Consider This If: You want a Texas public-university research degree and can price an individual course plan.

Plan Around: Include course-specific surcharges, university fees, colloquium travel, and dissertation continuation.

ECU’s Fall 2026 distance graduate schedule starts at $277.06 in resident tuition, then adds $150 per credit for the PhD nursing program. The combined tuition basis is $427.06, before the separate distance-education fees. At 54 credits, that produces $23,061.24 in tuition at today’s rates under a plan billed per credit without cap effects.

The 54-credit MSN-entry minimum is shorter than the other standard plans in this comparison, so a higher per-credit rate does not necessarily mean a higher degree total. Semester billing is capped at nine graduate credits on the posted table; have ECU calculate your actual sequence and differential charges rather than treating the multiplication as a guaranteed bill.

Nonresident base tuition is $1,044.06 before the same $150 nursing differential. Coursework is online, with several days on campus for summer immersion in each of the first three years. Separate BSN and DNP entry routes have different credit requirements.

Consider This If: You qualify for North Carolina resident tuition and already meet the MSN-entry requirements.

Plan Around: Request a term-by-term estimate including the nursing differential, fee schedule, and required travel.