Are you ready to take your engineering career to new heights? If you have a master’s in engineering and professional experience in the profession, it may be time to complete one of the cheapest online PhD engineering programs, the highest level of academic achievement.
With a doctorate in engineering, you can become one of the most learned experts in this field. But it won’t be easy. Doctorate programs are rigorous and intense, requiring the most in-depth scholarly work you’ll complete.
Fortunately, there are ways you can complete a doctorate with greater convenience and an affordable price. In this database, you’ll find 15 doctorate programs from 13 schools. Ranging in price from less than $20,000 to over $96,000, there is a doctorate in engineering that will fit your budgetary needs.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$48,800
Least Expensive In-State: University of South Carolina-Columbia ~$17,678
Least Expensive Out-of-state: Mississippi State University ~$23,604
You can become an unsurpassed expert in engineering. Keep reading to discover the top doctorate programs in this important field.
13 Cheapest Online PhD Engineering Degrees
Michigan Technological University 
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | (SC) | $17,678.00 $37,710.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $23,587.00 $36,187.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Mississippi State University | (MS) | $23,604.00 | All Students |
4 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $26,400.00 | All Students |
5 | Mississippi State University | (MS) | $26,976.00 | All Students |
6 | Mississippi State University | (MS) | $28,100.00 | All Students |
7 | Old Dominion University | (VA) | $30,270.00 $31,422.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | North Dakota State University | (ND) | $31,695.00 | All Students |
9 | Mississippi State University | (MS) | $38,216.00 | All Students |
10 | Michigan Technological University | (MI) | $44,880.00 | All Students |
11 | Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $45,765.00 | All Students |
12 | University of North Dakota | (ND) | $47,010.00 | All Students |
13 | Colorado State University | (CO) | $48,544.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of North Dakota | (ND) | $52,171.00 | All Students | |
Capitol Technology University | (MD) | $59,490.00 $55,470.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Missouri University of Science and Technology | (MO) | $62,400.00 $41,340.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $78,639.00 | All Students | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $84,639.00 | All Students | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $89,757.00 | All Students | |
Western New England University | (MA) | $89,775.00 | All Students | |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute | (MA) | $96,600.00 | All Students |
Methodology for These Rankings
These rankings of online engineering doctorate programs are based on our fall 2023 review of degrees. To calculate the total cost, we use a variety of factors including minimum required credit hours, tuition rates, and general fees. At the time of collection, the information was valid and specific to the individual program. Profiles for the same degrees found in the directory on our site may, on occasion, reflect a different cost based on editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated total price for the entire degree, but actual costs will vary by student. For example, if you have transfer credits, your cost may be lower. Prerequisite courses, textbook fees, licensing requirements, financial aid, and numerous other factors can impact the price of an affordable online engineering doctorate.
We strive to create the most honest, accurate ranking system possible. Therefore, we do not accept payments from schools to be included or removed from our rankings. The rankings are open to any regionally-accredited public or nonprofit college or university that offers an online engineering degree. We do not include degrees from non-accredited, nationally-accredited, or for-profit schools in our rankings. We also exclude from our rankings degrees that are available less than 80% online and those that are only available to students in five states or fewer.
Program Note: To qualify for a ranking, the doctor of engineering online must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
Why Pursue One of the Cheapest Online PhD Engineering Degrees?
Online engineering doctoral programs are challenging, complex, and require years of intense academic work. Why should you invest the time and energy to complete one of these rigorous programs?
Here are a few of the top reasons people enroll in these high-level degrees:
- Become a top expert in engineering: With a doctorate in engineering, you’ll establish an expert knowledge in the industry. You’ll be an authoritative source of information and advice in engineering.
- Advanced teaching and research positions: Professionals who want to utilize their engineering skills in teaching or research often need a PhD, so these programs create access to some of the most important and rewarding positions.
- Lucrative salaries: After an online PhD engineering program, you can qualify for some of the top salaries in the market. Engineering college professors, for example, have a median salary of $103,550.
Program Cost: Engineering Doctorates
These programs lead to lucrative careers and rewarding occupations, but they have a wide range in prices. When researching the top online engineering doctorate degrees, it’s important to review the total cost.
The price for these degrees ranges from below $18,000 to nearly $97,000, with an average estimated cost of $48,800. The cheapest online PhD engineering program (at least for students in South Carolina) is the Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina-Columbia. This program, which comes in multiple specializations, has an in-state cost of $17,678. However, out-of-state students must pay $37,710, a difference of roughly $20,000.
For all students, the cheapest online PhD engineering degree is the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University. This degree has an estimated cost of $23,604, which is available for all students, regardless of residency.
The most expensive degree comes from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a private school located in Massachusetts. The Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Engineering from this institution costs $96,600. The second most expensive comes from Western New England University and has an estimated cost of $89,775, nearly $7,000 cheaper.
Who Offers the Most Affordable Engineering Doctorate?
With focused research, you can find an online engineering PhD that fits your budget. If you need the cheapest online PhD engineering program, then these are your best options:
#1. University of South Carolina-Columbia
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (multiple specializations)
Cost: $17,678 (In-state, South Carolina)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
If you have a master’s degree in engineering or a related field and meet other academic requirements, you can enroll in a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of South Carolina-Columbia.
This school offers four engineering specializations to PhD students:
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
These engineering degrees allow you to advance your knowledge in a specific area. Each one is different, but all lead to advanced careers in the private sector or consultation services. They can also lead to occupations in research and post-secondary teaching.
#2. Texas Tech University
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Systems & Engineering Management
Cost: $23,587 (In-state, Texas)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Texas Tech University helps advance an engineering career through the online Doctor of Philosophy in Systems & Engineering Management. This program helps dedicated professionals with engineering experience move into management, executive, and leadership roles in the industry. It encompasses 60 credit hours including a doctoral dissertation, a major research paper completed throughout your studies.
The program builds your knowledge of engineering systems. Students complete coursework in systems management, simulation modeling, and the principles of operation. Students not only complete typical coursework but, among other requirements, must also have two journal papers accepted for publication before graduation.
#3. Mississippi State University
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering / Mechanical Engineering
Cost: $23,604 (All students)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
If you are looking for the cheapest online PhD engineering, regardless of your location, the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with a specialization in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University is your best option. This program has an estimated cost of $23,604, which is available to all students regardless of state residency.
Affordable, of course, does not mean low quality. In fact, this PhD in engineering comes from one of the most historic and prestigious engineering schools in the country: the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. Students complete high-level coursework, including programs in numerical analysis, applied mathematics, and linear algebra.
Doctorate of Engineering: Degree Program Types
These online engineering doctoral programs are all doctors of philosophy, or PhD, programs. A PhD is a doctoral research degree, the highest level of academic achievement. There are PhDs in every subject from literature to physics, but all the programs in this database focus on engineering. The coursework in a PhD in engineering program usually includes research and study. In most cases, there will also be a written dissertation.
While other databases include different types of degrees (such as master of arts and master of science), this database only contains PhD programs. However, it includes a variety of concentrations that impact what you learn and which positions are available after graduation.
Possible concentrations include:
- Aerospace
- Artificial intelligence
- Biomedical
- Civil
- Computer
- Cyber
- Engineering management
- Industrial
- Mechanical
- Petroleum
- Systems
Your previous experience and education may impact your program selection. For instance, if you have a master’s in civil engineering, as well as experience working as a civil engineer, you may not qualify for a PhD in petroleum engineering program. However, within reason, cross-specialization is possible.
Accreditation for these Advanced Programs
An accredited college or university is an institution that has been assessed by an accrediting body and met a specific standard for quality, consistency, instructor excellence, and graduate success. Official accrediting bodies receive approval from the U.S. Department of Education, granting them the privilege and authority to provide accreditation services.
Schools receive accreditation from regional groups through a process known as institutional accreditation. All programs in this database come from accredited institutions. Accreditation is important at any level. For doctorate students, it ensures a high level of academic excellence. Graduates of accredited doctorate schools are more likely to land top-level positions in academia and research.
Some degrees hold programmatic accreditation, which is for a single degree. This is less common for PhDs, including these online PhDs in engineering. ABET, one of the major accrediting groups in engineering, only accredits associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees; no doctorates. As long as the program comes from an accredited institution, it is a reliable source for a high-quality degree.
Typical Admission Requirements for an Online PhD in Engineering
A doctorate, in any subject, is the highest level of academic achievement. As such, the admission standards for these programs are challenging and selective. Some applicants may not make the cut for admission. However, students with a master’s degree and a strong academic background can likely find a program that accepts their enrollment.
The basic requirement is a master’s degree. This master’s degree must apply to the doctorate program, although there is leeway. If you are applying to a doctorate in computer engineering program, for instance, a master’s in software or product engineering may be applicable.
Because these are elite degrees, you’ll need a stellar academic background. Many programs require at least a 2.5 or 3.0 (or higher) GPA on a 4.0 scale. For example, the Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management from George Washington University recommends a minimum 3.2 grade point average.
Applicants may also need documents that include a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation.
Licensing, Training, or Experience Requirements
If you are enrolling in an online PhD engineering program, you likely don’t need to be concerned with licensing. Experience, however, could be a factor.
Licensing is rare in engineering. Civil engineering is the only major type that typically needs a license, and even then it’s possible to work in this profession without a state-mandated license. Also, anyone eligible for a doctorate in engineering has likely already worked in the profession; it’s likely you are already licensed or certified in some way if necessary. Some professors need a license if they are teaching a specific subject that requires licensing. For example, a professor of civil engineering may be required by the university to maintain a license in this field.
Experience could be a factor both in the admission process and after earning your PhD. If you want to become a post-secondary teacher, such as a professor of engineering, you will likely need years of experience in the professional field. This also applies to admission; to simply enroll in an online PhD in engineering you may need at least five years of professional experience.
Salary and Career Factors after a Doctorate in Engineering
After completing a doctorate, you can expect an excellent salary. Regardless of your career and subject expertise, if you have a doctorate you are more likely to earn a high salary.
In 2022, people with a master’s degree in any field had a median salary of $1,661. Assuming 52 weeks of pay, this equals an annual income of $86,372. However, people with a doctorate earned a median weekly salary of $2,083, which equates to $108,316 annually.
Of course, income depends on experience, skills, and your specific career. Post-secondary engineering teachers, for instance, have a median salary of $103,550.
Some complete an online engineering PhD to work in consulting or research. According to Salary.com, the average income for an engineering consultant is $141,190. Again, a lot depends on personal factors, but a doctorate in engineering creates the opportunity for excellent paychecks.
Job options should be available as well. According to the BLS, the unemployment rate for people with a doctorate in 2022 was only 1% while the total national rate was 3%. The organization also predicts that engineers will see a 7% growth between 2022 and 2032.
There are many stats we could examine, but the overall principle remains the same: with an online engineering doctorate, you are positioned for a high-demand, lucrative career.
How Do I Choose the Best Doctorate in Engineering?
Choosing the top online engineering PhD can be difficult. But with research and patience, you can find a program that fits your exact needs.
Start by researching accreditation status. You should only attend an online PhD engineering program from an accredited school, as this all but guarantees a high-quality education.
Review the various specializations that are available. You likely have experience or education in a specific engineering discipline, such as civil, computer, or systems engineering. Be sure the program you select matches your interests, experience, and career goals.
Next, research the school’s cost. Be sure to review in-state and out-of-state costs, as they are usually different, especially for public schools. This will help you understand the annual and total cost of completing your degree.
If you need help finding the right program, the resources and information at GetEducated.com are always available.