10 Most Affordable PhD in Project Management Online Programs

Affordable online PhD in project management degree programs that are also accredited and reputable can be challenging to find. While some schools offer online doctorate options, few are accredited. We looked at a number of online PhD in project management or closely related degree programs that were accredited and ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. We selected ten schools and ranked them in order of affordability with the goal of offering high quality project management PhD online programs with a strong return on investment.

Project managers work in various fields of business. Project managers also manage different sizes of projects, from small in-house jobs to multi-organization mergers. You might find project managers on construction sites or developing teams that create software for medical organizations. But with much variance, most project managers have a certain level of experience and acumen. To become eligible for a career as a project manager, education is critical. This ranking will help you determine which PhD project management online program best suits your career goals.

Ranking Low Cost Online Project Management PhD Programs

We looked at approximately 20 project management PhD online programs, or closely related degrees, from regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities. We verified accreditation and determined if the institution had received at least one ranking from a major publication like U.S. News and World Report. We gave value to schools or programs that had received recognition. Then, we gathered in-state graduate tuition/fees from the National Center for Education Statistics (College Navigator) and ranked the top 10 schools according to raw affordability.

The sources we used to determine our list of schools included:

The National Center for Education Statistics – College Navigator, for in-state graduate tuition information.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the United States Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics, for earnings potential and projected job outlook.

U.S. News and World Report for school and/or program rankings.

Sources were used to verify information, compile data, and examine tuition costs. The most affordable online education PhD in program management degrees are listed below:

Other schools we looked at in determining our list included:

California Southern University

Online Doctor of Business Administration

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $29,700

Anaheim University

Online Doctor of Business Administration in Management

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $22,125

Creighton University

Online Doctoral Program in Interdisciplinary Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $16,424

Franklin University

Online Doctor of Business Administration

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,528

Regent University

Online PhD in Organizational Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,226

Baker College

Online Doctor of Business Administration

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,150

Colorado State University

Online PhD in Education and Human Resource Studies – Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,716

Hampton University

Online PhD in Business Administration

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,811

Trident University

Online PhD in Business Administration

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,120

How to Find a Quality Online PhD in Project Management

Not all online PhD programs are reputable. Some may offer quick completion times, but few are accredited and ranked with major publications. Thankfully, we have conducted research in finding the most affordable online PhD in project management programs that offer regional or national accreditation, rigorous curriculum, and quality. The most important aspect of any online PhD program is accreditation. We will discuss the importance of finding an accredited program later in this article, but employers value accreditation, and earning a degree from a non-accredited program or institution may lead to trouble finding a job.

We reviewed multiple online PhD in program management degree programs from colleges and universities. The most important factor we used to determine if the school and program fit on our list was accreditation. Accreditation is the difference between a quality and non-quality program. As discussed below, accreditation helps determine if a college or university meets, exceeds, or falls below the minimum standards of quality. To achieve accreditation, schools must comply with rigorous standards, develop and implement effectiveness plans, undergo annual reviews regarding financial stability, placement rates, and retention, and undergo site visits by the governing or accrediting body. These campus visits may be announced or unannounced.

Project Management Career Outlook

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not collect data and classify project management as an individual occupation, it does evaluate management positions in fields like construction, computer and information systems, sales, and other subsets of project management. Since we are providing information related to online PhD in project management degree programs and delving into project management careers, we looked at a wide range of management fields to determine the career outlook.

Overall, project managers can expect growth in the field as businesses expand and grow in a thriving economy. The BLS reports employment of construction managers is expected to grow 11 percent through the year 2026, four percent faster on average than for other occupations. Also, sales managers can expect a growth of 7 percent over the next nine years thanks to the growth and contraction in various sales industries. Top executives in a wide range of industries anticipate an eight percent growth in upcoming years.

When looking at the Project Management Institute's industry reports and surveys, we see that membership has steadily increased over the years, which translates to a growing and thriving industry. With continued growth comes competition for jobs. Individuals who have earned a PhD project management online degree could have greater luck finding a project management position than those with a lesser degree.

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The Importance of Finding an Accredited Program

Even when searching for cheap online project management PhD programs, accreditation should be the most important factor–even above price. Thankfully, you can find both an affordable and accredited project management PhD online program. If you are planning to seek employment as a project manager in any field, earning an accredited degree is essential. Employers value accredited schools and programs. A degree earned from a non-accredited institution will raise a red flag with most reputable employers.

So why is accreditation so important? Accrediting agencies authorized by the U.S. Department of Education enforce strict guidelines and standards for curricula. Accreditation is important to employers because it helps them validate the programs of study and determine whether a candidate is qualified for the job. Earning a project management PhD online degree that is accredited will help you navigate the job market much easier and with better results.

What Do Project Managers Earn?

The most common question asked of those considering a project management PhD online degree is How much can I make as a project manager? The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect data on project managers, but industry sources suggest that earnings for project managers are contingent on experience, level of education, and organization type. Geographic location may also factor, as project managers working in urban areas generally earn more than project mangers working in rural locations.

We looked at the most recent Project Management Salary Survey published by the Project Management Institute, reflecting the earning power of project managers. In the United States, the median salary for individuals working in project management professions was $108,200. There is a direct correlation between the numbers of years of experience and earning potential, as project managers with less than three years of experience earned $74,900 annually and those with 15-20 years of experience earned $120,000 annually. Also, entry-level jobs required less education than senior level project management positions. This means that individuals with a higher degree level will earn more starting out than those with a lower level degree.

Industry also plays a factor in the earning potential of project managers. Some fields pay more than others. For example, a project manager in construction might earn less than a project manger in finance or advertising. But no matter the field, education is essential for career advancement as a project manager.

This concludes our ranking of the top 10 most affordable online doctorate in project management degree programs.