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Data Points:
- Majority (28%) of psychologists* are self-employed workers. About 27% work in elementary and secondary schools. Ambulatory healthcare services hire 21% of psychologists. The rest (12%) work in the government and state, local, or private hospitals.
- About 41% of graduates with a doctorate in Psychology** are practicing psychologists in 129 different occupation categories.
- Psychology doctoral degree holders make*** roughly $30,000 more than master’s degree holders each year.
This article outlines the top 25 most affordable Ph.D. in Psychology. We’ve also included straightforward, frequently asked questions about graduate degrees in psychology.
Psychology is one of the most fulfilling and interesting fields. However, it can also be one of the most expensive. Fortunately, a lot of affordable online doctoral programs in Psychology have surfaced, giving many professionals the opportunities to return to school without compromising their personal and professional obligations.
With affordable online doctoral programs in Psychology, many professionals will now have opportunities to return to school without compromising their personal and professional obligations. In terms of learning format, completing a doctorate in Psychology doesn’t have to be complicated and daunting.
With numerous affordable online programs available, completing an online doctoral program in Psychology is now convenient and easy!
Quick audio summary:
Methodology
After successfully completing a Master’s in Psychology from a top-rated graduate school, a doctoral program is the next usual route. Doctorate programs are typically costly, and finding the best, least expensive programs that meet your requirements can be a lot of work!
Our writers and research team at GradSchoolCenter.com scoured our sources to bring you the definitive list of the 25 Most Affordable Ph.D. in Psychology Grad School Programs. In random order, this list features the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program types.
These features characterize our Most Affordable Ph.D. in Psychology Grad School Programs:
- Classes are delivered either 100% online or through the hybrid format
- Numerous internship opportunities and professional networks
- Comprehensive curricula and rigorous coursework and training for career options and specializations
- Financial aid opportunities and online support and student services
- High student rating
- Recognition from industry-recognized resources
- Accreditation and adherence to the highest academic standards
Most Affordable Ph.D. in Psychology (Psy.D.) Grad School Programs
California Coast University
Santa Ana, California
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology
Just ranging below $500 per credit tuition, it’s more affordable and easier to earn doctorate studies at California Coast University. For students who are working, they can ask their respective employers if they offer tuition reimbursements. Also, CCU offers affordable, interest-free payment plans that are suitable for every student’s budget and preference.
| Tuition Fee | Concentrations |
| $320 per credit hour | N/A |
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
Online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology
TTU’s hybrid Educational Psychology doctorate is open for applicants with Psychology, health sciences, human sciences, sports sciences, and education backgrounds. The program prepares students for academic roles and teaching, with 91 credit hours required for graduation.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $375 per credit hour | * Applied educational Psychology * Cognition, motivation, and development * Human development * Institutional research * Learning sciences * Research, evaluation, measurement, and statistics * Sports Psychology |
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
Ph.D. in Psychology – Clinical Psychology
USD’s APA-approved Ph.D. in Psychology is not offered entirely online. However, it does give students enough flexibility, allowing them to graduate in as long as eight years. Students in the Clinical Psychology program have a mandatory one-year pre-doctoral clinical Psychology internship at an approved clinical facility or site.
| Tuition Fee | Concentrations |
| $470.45 per credit hour | Clinical/Disaster Psychology |
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Capella University is completed through the university GuidedPath program, which requires students to complete a more structured learning in a cohort-based model. The instructors will set the schedule, and students will meet their deadlines accordingly.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $510 – $995/credit hour (depending on specialization) | * General Psychology * Developmental Psychology * Educational Psychology * Industrial/Organizational |
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Liberty’s online doctoral program in Psychology offers 8-week online courses that allow students to accelerate their degree and earn it in four years. The courses of this program are taught from a Christian worldview. Students will be able to master psychiatric research and writing techniques for human behavior study by completing dissertation research.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| * $595 per credit hour (full-time) * $650 per credit hour (part-time) | * Behavioral Health Leadership * Developmental Psychology * General Psychology * Industrial/Organizational Psychology * Social Psychology * Theology |
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Walden’s online PhD in Psychology may require students to 4 Ph.D. residencies on top of their online coursework and other doctorate requirements. This is one of the top choices for applicants who want to pursue a doctorate in Psychology without a master’s degree in Psychology. Students can choose either the bachelor’s or master’s level entry.
| Tuition Fee | Concentrations |
| $620 per credit hour | * Educational Psychology * Health Psychology * Social Psychology * Self-Designed * Teaching in Psychology * Research in Psychology |
California Southern University
Costa Mesa, California
CSU’s affordable online Doctor of Psychology program is designed for those who want to become a professional licensed clinical psychologist. This is a 66-credit-hour program that can be completed entirely online. For an internship, the program offers an optional course since it will depend on the student’s state requirements.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $645 per credit hour | General Psychology |
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology
UM’s online Educational Psychology Ph.D. is best for professionals in academia and research positions. Online and on-campus requirements are the same. Online students must complete a core set of educational research and elective courses. A research resident’s project and dissertation are also required to earn the degree.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $646 per credit hour | * Educational Psychology * Educational Research |
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Online Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies
Regent University offers an online Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies that has received accreditation from the APA. The program offers several concentrations, each taught by award-winning faculty.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $695 per credit hour | * Addictions Counseling * Biblical Counseling * Human Services Counseling * Human Services for Student Affairs * Industrial-Organizational * Life Coaching * Marriage & Family Ministry * Trauma & Crisis Counseling |
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, California
Online Doctor of Psychology in Human and Organizational Psychology
TUW’s PhD in Human and Organizational Psychology is a unique program that can be completed within three years. Some of the unique aspects of this program include no residency requirements for graduation and no GRE for admission. The program doesn’t have the educational credentials that lead to licensure.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $700 per credit hour | Human and Organizational Psychology |
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona
Online Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology
GCU’s online PhD in Psychology programs offers a General Psychology track with various qualitative and quantitative research concentrations. The courses for this program generally have an 8-week duration except for dissertation courses. GCU’s coursework completion is primarily aimed toward non-traditional learners. The online doctorate program doesn’t lead to licensure.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $725 per credit | * Cognition and Instruction (Qualitative / Quantitative) * Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Qualitative / Quantitative) |
The University of Arizona Global Campus
San Diego, California
UAGC’s online 62-credit hour Doctor of Psychology consists of ten core required courses, seven specialization courses, and a capstone requirement. As a culminating requirement, students must complete the Applied Doctoral Project. UAGC offers a 3 Week Trial without any financial risk.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $812.00 per credit hour | * Criminal Justice * Mediation and Conflict Resolution * Sport and Performance Psychology * Industrial Organizational Psychology |
Loyola University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Online Ed.D. in School Psychology
LUC’s affordable online School Psychology Ed.D. is open for applicants with a valid Professional Educator License in Illinois or a school Psychology license from another state. The online doctorate program requires 72 credit hours for degree completion.
| Tuition | Tracks |
| $850 per credit hour | * Advanced Practitioner Track * District Administrator Track * Combined Track |
Adler University
Chicago, Illinois
Online Doctor of Philosophy – Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Adler’s 100% online PhD in Psychology is a 100% online program completed in a cohort-based model. The 90-credit-hour program comes without a residency requirement, and Ph.D. applicants may accomplish a set of prerequisite coursework before enrolling in the full program.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $924 per credit hour | Industrial and Organizational Psychology |
Felician University
Rutherford, New Jersey
Doctorate of Counseling Psychology
The 88 credits Psy.D. program at Felician focuses on developing competencies in professional Psychology, aiming to produce entry-level health service psychologists. Students must complete three years of APA internships and practicums. The program also includes a doctoral internship, which can be one-year full-time or two-year half-time.
| Tuition | Concentration |
| $1,160 per credit hour | Counseling Psychology |
Alliant International University
San Diego, California
Online Doctor of Psychology in Educational Psychology
AIU’s Educational Psychology is a 50-credit hour program that spans 11 terms. The program is offered completely online and asynchronously, allowing students to tailor their degrees according to their schedules. The online doctorate program, available for Fall enrollment, offers an 8-week term course on School Psychology for certified or licensure students and School Counseling for master’s degree holders.
| Tuition | Tracks |
| $1,299 per credit hour | * School Counseling * School Psychology |
Meridian University
Petaluma, California
Online/Hybrid Ph.D. in Psychology
Meridian’s Ph.D. in Psychology degree program offers an online/hybrid learning format that is perfect for students who want to accomplish the academic requirements for licensure in the state of California, specifically for psychologists, MFT licenses, and the state of California’s licensed professional clinical Counselors. In addition to online coursework, students must complete a total of six residencies are required to graduate from the program.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $21,632 per year | * Business Psychology * Organizational Development * Somatic Psychology * Yoga and Psychology * Integral Psychology * Transpersonal Psychology * Depth Psychology * Clinical Psychology * Expressive and Movement Arts * Transformative Learning * Health and Wellbeing Coaching * Developmental Coaching * Transformative Leadership * Collective Trauma and Social Healing |
National University
San Diego, California
National University has a web-based 60-credit hour online PhD-PSY program that equips students with critical thinking, knowledge, and research methods, preparing them for leadership roles in the field. However, this program doesn’t train and prepare students to become licensed professional counselors.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $7,974 per term | * Counseling Psychology * General Psychology * Gerontology * Health Psychology * Industrial/Organizational Psychology * Psychology of Gender and Sexual Fluidity * Social Policy and Behavioral Health Administration * Sport and Performance Psychology * Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders * Trauma and Disaster Relief |
Saybrook University
Oakland, California
Saybrook’s Ph.D. in Psychology, which can be completed in five to six years, provides students with the opportunity to tailor their degrees according to their interests. Despite its 100% online doctorate program, students have mandatory residential conferences to participate in San Francisco.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $1,669 per credit hour | * Psychophysiology * Existential, Humanistic, and Transpersonal Psychology * Creativity Studies * Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health |
William James College
Newton, Massachusetts
William James College offers an online Psy.D. in Leadership Psychology, a four- to six-year program that covers adult development, team and group development, Psychology of leadership, followership, and more. Students complete the program independently, with a four-day residency requirement.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $1,770 per credit hour | * Educational Leadership * Inclusive Leadership * Leading Nonprofits and NGOs * Neuroscience of Leadership Psychology |
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Chicago, Illinois
Online Ph.D. in International Psychology
The Chicago School’s International Psychology Ph.D. takes approximately three to four years to earn. Aside from coursework completion, students participate in hands-on learning. As a result, they will accomplish two mandatory 9-day international Field Experiences at an international venue chosen by the program.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $1,737 per credit hour | * Organizations and Systems * Trauma Services |
Fielding Graduate University
Santa Barbara, California
Online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Fielding’s affordable 179-semester credits online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology can be earned in five to six years. Depending on the student’s preference, they can either complete the program in a synchronous or asynchronous format.
| Tuition Fee | Concentrations |
| $10,180 per term | * Forensic Psychology * Health Psychology * NeuroPsychology * Social Justice and Diversity |
Pacifica Graduate Institute
Santa Barbara, California
Ph.D. in Depth Psychology – Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices
This doctoral program offers an integrative approach to therapeutic practice, combining the art and science of healing. It is ideal for those with a strong personal calling to therapeutic work, a deep curiosity about the self and the world, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The program includes immersive three-day retreats at Pacifica’s Lambert campus, where students explore diverse healing traditions, contemporary research, and the natural world.
| Concentrations | |
| $31,300 per year | Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices |
Keiser University
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The 60 credit hours online Psychology doctorate at Keiser is offered is offered in two paths in prerequisites for major courses. For Path One, students can enroll in the program with a master’s degree, while Path Two is for students who only have a bachelor’s degree before enrollment.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $31,712 per academic year | * Industrial and Organizational Psychology * Research-based Psychology |
Sofia University
Palo Alto, California
Online Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology
This online doctorate program is a low-residency program that allows students to tailor their learning experience by choosing a field of interest. The 75-credit-hour online doctorate program requires off-campus seminars in Northern California held two times per year. Students must take note that this doctorate program isn’t a clinical degree program.
| Tuition | Concentrations |
| $71,450 total program cost | * Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience * Whole Systems Approach to Health and Wellbeing * Consciousness and Creativity Studies * Applied Transpersonal Psychology in Business and Organizations |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to obtain an affordable online Doctoral degree in Psychology program?
A doctorate is usually completed within six or seven years, depending on the student’s level of commitment and number of transfer credits. Cohort-based programs are faster and have shorter durations but heavier course loads. Some schools have longer timeframe limits, allowing students to complete their degrees up to eight years.
The same applies to master’s in Psychology programs that you need to earn to pursue a doctorate. Certain Master’s in Psychology programs can be completed at a faster duration than most, depending on the curriculum.
What are the specializations available in a Doctoral degree in Psychology program?
The specializations in a Psychology doctorate can depend on what type of degree you’re pursuing.
- EdD: suitable for professionals who want to pursue careers as consultants, teachers, and mentors in Psychology.
- PhD: aimed at students who want to become proficient in Psychology as a researcher or professor.
- PsyD: suitable for students who want to pursue careers in clinical settings.
Some of the concentrations available under the doctorate in Psychology program include:
| Addiction Psychology | Applied Transpersonal Psychology | Clinical Psychology | Cognitive Psychology | Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health | Counselor Education and Supervision |
| Creativity Studies | Criminology and Justice Studies | Developmental Psychology | Educational Psychology | Forensic Psychology | Gender Diversity Studies |
| General Psychology | Gerontology | Health and Wellness Psychology | Health Psychology | Human and Organizational Psychology | Industrial Psychology |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | Media Psychology | Mediation and Conflict Resolution | Mental Health Policy and Practice | Multicultural Psychology | Neuropsychology |
| Neuroscience | Organizational Psychology | Parent-Infant Mental Health | Research in Psychology | School Psychology | Social Justice and Diversity |
| Social Psychology | Sport and Performance Psychology | Transpersonal Education and Research | Trauma and Disaster Relief |
What professional organizations promote the field and profession of Psychology?
Yes, there are several professional organizations for Psychology doctorate holders. The following organizations offer specializations, networking and professional development opportunities, and access to various resources for Psychology education and mentorship.
- American Board of Professional Psychology
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Psychological Association
- Association for Psychological Science
- National Association of School Psychologists
- Society of Neuroscience
Why is a Doctorate degree important in Psychology?
A doctorate degree is important in Psychology for multiple reasons.
- It provides you with a higher level of knowledge and skills for better patient care.
- It allows you to provide clinical supervision, consult with organizations, teach in universities, and conduct research.
- It allows you to concentrate in higher-paying Psychology fields.
Key Takeaways
Affordable online Ph.D. programs in Psychology offer convenient, affordable options for those concerned about expenses. Many programs charge students a lot less than others, without compromising the quality of doctorate education they offer. Also, Psychology doctorate programs provide scholarship options to qualified candidates.
In terms of ROI, Psychology offers excellent career options! With your online doctoral degree and extensive experience, you are poised for top-shelf Psychology careers with exceptional earning opportunities.
