Online PhD in Education & EdD Online Programs
Are you in search of Cheapest Online Doctorate in Education or looking for fully online EdD programs matching your budget and career goals? No matter you want to enroll in PhD in Education online or want to earn an accredited online EdD. Here at Top PhD Online we not only present you the best online Doctorate inf Education programs worldwide, including U.S. and other countries.
In addition, we also offer the opportunity to compare the top Online EdD and PhD programs in education online, cheapest EdD programs online, No-Dissertation PhD in Education Online, fastest online Doctorate in Education Programs and fully funded online EdD programs.
Why Earn a Doctorate in Education Online?
Let’s first discuss a little how earning online EdD or PhD in Education Degree can be more beneficial for you:
- Advance Your Career Without Pausing It
Earn your doctorate while continuing to teach, lead, or work full-time. - Study Fully Online, from Anywhere
No campus visits required — complete your coursework on your own schedule. - Skip the GRE (Most of the Time)
Many top online education doctoral programs require no GRE at all. - No Dissertation? No Problem
Choose from programs that offer capstone projects or applied research instead.
- Affordable & Accredited Options
Cost is the major factor and fully online EdD or Education PhD online offers the opportunity to reduce the tuition and other costs without sacrificing the quality and accreditation of the degree. - Specialize Your Studies
Focus on areas like educational leadership, literacy, special education, or organizational leadership.
Cheapest Online EdD Programs
University | Program | Tuition Estimate | Format | Notes |
Missouri State University | Online EdD in Educational Leadership | $4,500–$6,000 per year (in-state) | Online / Hybrid | Among the cheapest EdD programs in the U.S. |
University of the Cumberlands | Online Doctor of Education | $375 per credit | Fully Online | Known for most affordable online EdD programs. |
Valdosta State University | Online EdD in Leadership | $293 per credit (in-state) | Fully Online | Budget-friendly public option. |
William Carey University | Online EdD in Educational Leadership | $450 per credit | Online / Hybrid | Faith-based, affordable tuition. |
Texas Tech University | EdD in Higher Education | $8,000–$10,000 total (in-state) | Online + intensives | Low tuition for public university. |
West Texas A&M University | Online EdD in Educational Leadership | $500 per credit | Fully Online | Flexible, regionally affordable option. |
Key Takeaways (Affordability)
- Missouri State, Valdosta, and Cumberlands offer the lowest tuition rates.
- Texas Tech and West Texas A&M provide strong, affordable public university options.
- Always confirm latest tuition from official university sites.
Top U.S. Online EdD & Education Doctorate Programs 2025-2026
For your review we listed some of the most accredited and top-ranking online PhD programs in education and EdD degree online options offering featured combination of affordability, flexibility and specialization in the U.S.
University | Program | Format | Highlights |
Online EdD (Leadership, Curriculum, Psychology) | 100% Online / Hybrid | Multiple specialization tracks. | |
EdD in Higher Education | Part-time Online | ~48 credits, designed for working professionals. | |
Walden University | Doctor of Education | Fully Online | Flexible start dates, broad range of specializations. |
Grand View University | PhD in Educational Leadership | Fully Online | Affordable private option with leadership focus. |
Missouri State University | Online EdD (Educational Leadership) | Online / Hybrid | One of the cheapest online doctorate in education options. |
Key Takeaways (U.S.)
- Cheapest online EdD programs: Missouri State, Ole Miss, Valdosta State.
- Fully online EdD programs: Walden, Grand Canyon, Grand View.
- Best for professionals: Walden and Ole Miss balance flexibility and rigor.
International Education PhD & EdD Online Programs
Country | University | Program | Format | Notes |
UK | University of Glasgow | EdD in Education | Distance / Online | Flexible global EdD program. |
UK | University of Manchester | PhD / MPhil in Education | Hybrid / Funded | Research-based doctorate with funding options. |
UK | University of York | PhD in Education | Distance / Hybrid | Supervised distance pathways available. |
Canada | University of British Columbia (UBC) | Doctor of Education | Hybrid / Online | Funding packages often available. |
Canada | Western University | EdD in Education | Fully Online | Designed for working educators. |
Canada | University of Toronto | PhD in Education | Campus + some hybrid | Fully funded for most students. |
Australia | La Trobe University | Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) | Online / Hybrid | Professional focus, flexible delivery. |
Australia | QUT (Queensland Univ. of Tech.) | Doctor of Education | Hybrid | Applied leadership doctorate. |
Australia | University of Technology Sydney (UTS) | PhD in Education | Distance | Supervision at distance for PhDs. |
Australia | Curtin University | Doctor of Education | Online / Hybrid | Coursework + research doctorate. |
Australia | Griffith University | Doctor of Education | Flexible delivery | Widely recognized in Asia-Pacific. |
Germany | FernUniversität in Hagen | Doctoral Programs | Distance | Germany’s leading distance university. |
Germany | DAAD Scholarships | PhD in Education (various) | On-campus / Hybrid | Fully funded scholarships available. |
Key Takeaways (International)
- UK: Strong distance/hybrid EdDs at Glasgow, Manchester, York.
- Canada: Western offers a fully online EdD, while Toronto/UBC PhDs are well-funded.
- Australia: La Trobe, QUT, Curtin, UTS, Griffith offer flexible doctoral study.
- Germany: Low or free tuition, with DAAD providing funding for PhDs in education.
Online EdD No Dissertation Options
Some of the leading and accredited universities also offering Online EdD programs with no dissertation option, they require applied or capstone project instead of long and lenghty thesis.
- University of West Georgia (capstone-based EdD).
- Certain UK professional doctorates (e.g., Glasgow, York) use applied research portfolios.
These are the most viable options for the professionals who are looking for fastest online EdD programs and wants applied leadership practice instead of academic research.
Choose Your Specialization
Another feature of choosing online option for earning your doctorate or PhD is that you will have the plenty of choices available to choose the specialization of your interest in the renowned and accredited universities offering online doctoral programs in education around the world. Some of the most popular and in-demand concentrations are:
- Online Doctoral in Educational Leadership/EdD Educational Leadership
For principals, superintendents, and district leaders - Online Doctoral Programs in Organizational Leadership
For school executives and policy advisors
- Online EdD Programs in Special Education
Serving inclusive and diverse classroom environments - Higher Ed Doctoral Programs Online
Prepares deans, provosts, and faculty leaders - Online Doctoral Programs in Reading & Literacy
For literacy specialists and curriculum developers - PhD English Education Online/ Online Doctorate in English Education
Advanced English instruction for educators - Online CACREP PhD Programs
For counseling education and supervision
Fully Online? No GRE? No Problem.
Many programs now offer:
Online education doctoral programs no GRE
Many accredited and reputed online colleges for education are offering Online PhD in Education Programs with no requirements of GRE, some of them are listed above.
Fully online EdD programs with asynchronous learning
Designed for busy and students from around the world most of the accredited online colleges for education are offering fully online EdD programs with asynchronous learning.
The above-mentioned options offer the oppotunity to professionals who are in search of least expensive online edd programs, doctorate in education without dissertation to earn their doctoral/PhD degree in education online with affordability and flexibility and easy accessibility.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial Aids and Scholarships are another way to reduce the cost of your online PhD and Doctorate in Education. Several schools offer support, including:
- Tuition-free programs (UoPeople)
- FAFSA-Approved online College offering Online EdD (Walden)
- Flexible payment plans
- Scholarships for online doctoral programs in education
Programs like these help reduce cost, making them some of the most affordable doctoral programs in education.
The criteria of which is more better EdD or PhD in education is more depends on your career goals, as EdD is a better choice for those who are looking for applied/practitioner option and PhD in Education is more suitable for those who want to pursue their careers in academia and research.
The criteria of best EdD programs online based on the career goals and other preferences of the individual. But as fast as accreditation, flexibility, accessibility and inexpensive cost University of People (USA), Walden (USA) and North Central University (USA) ranks high.
Yes. Many of the Online colleges for education are offering some of the cheapest doctoral programs in education online for example University of People are offering Tuition-Free Online PhD programs in education.
Yes, many of the CARCEP PhD programs online are accredited and recognized by reputed regional and international accreditation bodies.
Yes, Online Doctoral Programs in Education offered by accredited online universities are not only accredited but also high recognized and accepted by employers worldwide.
Public universities like Missouri State, Valdosta State, and Ole Miss often offer the cheapest online EdD programs.
Yes. Some universities (e.g., University of West Georgia, UK’s professional EdDs) allow applied capstone projects instead of dissertations.
Yes. Several universities in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia now offer online PhD in education or hybrid distance doctorates.
