35 Best Affordable Online Ph.D. in Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering program at Michigan Technological University is research-intensive. Students receive hands-on training through challenging research, participation in investigations, industrial projects, and interdisciplinary studies. There are more than forty faculty members who work with students as they progress through the program. Students can specialize in the degree program through four curricular areas, which include design and dynamic systems and solid mechanics. U.S. News & World Report ranked Michigan Tech as the No. 85 for Best Engineering Schools. Research at Michigan Tech focuses on five areas: advanced power systems, mechanics of multi-scale sensors and systems, multidisciplinary engineering dynamic systems, mechanics of multi-scale materials, and space systems. The program is also affordable. Michigan Tech was named the No. 1 Best Value College in Michigan by Niche and No. 121 Best Value Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

Students at Mississippi State University can earn their Doctor of Philosophy in aerospace engineering, civil engineering, computational engineering, electrical and computer engineering, industrial and systems engineering, or mechanical engineering. The Ph.D. programs are research-heavy, and students are involved in sponsored research projects. Experienced faculty help students conduct cutting-edge research in their area of specialization. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of each individual student. MSU focuses on learning inside and outside the classroom, through student organizations and internship opportunities. Graduates from this interdisciplinary curriculum join a supportive network of alumni. MSU is ranked among Best Engineering Schools as No. 97 and No. 127 by U.S News & World Report and Best Engineering Colleges. It was also named the No. 1 Best College in Mississippi by Niche.

Missouri University of Science & Technology offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering that is convenient for working professionals. The program is flexible and adaptable and does not require students to complete a residency. Courses are taught by world-renowned faculty with expertise in their field. Students have access to online teaching, conferences, and seminars. Within the Ph.D. in Systems Engineering program, students are encouraged to pursue a specialization as they complete research and a dissertation. Areas of specialization include computational intelligence, model-based engineering, complex adaptive systems, and systems design optimization. Students can design the program to fit their own needs and goals. Missouri S&T is considered the No. 2 for Best Value Engineering Schools by Best Value Schools. Niche called it No. 54 for Best Value Colleges in America, and U.S. News & World Report ranks it No. 83 for Best Engineering Schools. Missouri S&T is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

A Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management from North Carolina A&T State University is personalized to the student. Students get to pick and choose the courses that best meet their specific career goals and interests. They can specialize in Construction Management, Digital Communications, Human Resource Development and Training, Manufacturing Systems, or Quality Systems. The expert faculty at NCAT are equipped to address the unique needs of online students. Because of this, students have access to support, counseling, and resources. They also benefit from innovative, state-of-the-art online instructional technology. The program consists of coursework in general technology, research, technical specialization, an internship, a residency requirement, and a dissertation. NCAT is named among the top 200 Best Engineering Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

A Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering from Oklahoma State University prepares its graduates to become creative problem-solvers and critical thinkers. A degree from OSU prepares students for professional practice through applicable material. Each student is paired with a ‘faculty champion' who will work with them through their degree as a research advisor and a committee chair. The engineering programs at OSU are designed to prepare students for specialized positions in their field of interest. OSU offers Ph.D.s in biosystems and agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering and management, materials science and engineering, and mechanical and aerospace engineering. OSU is ranked No. 10 for Best Value Engineering Schools by Best Value Schools. It's also ranked No. 139 and No. 106 for Best Engineering Schools by Best Engineering Colleges and U.S. News & World Report.

Old Dominion University offers a Doctorate of Engineering in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering. It also offers Doctor of Philosophy programs in Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Modeling and Simulation. ODU has over 300 student organizations for networking and professional advancement. It emphasizes celebrating diversity and maintaining a global and multicultural focus. Students have an international perspective that helps them excel in teamwork, leadership, and creative thinking. ODU strives for innovative solutions and meaningful research. Students can gain hands-on experience through ODU's internship program as well as through relevant research and coursework. ODU was ranked as the No. 146 in Engineering Programs by U.S. News & World Report and No. 116 for Top Colleges in the Region by Forbes.

Money ranked Rowan University as the No. 182 for Best Colleges for your Money. The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering prepares its graduates to face the engineering challenges of today. Students can choose to add a concentration in electrical and computer engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, materials science and engineering, or mechanical engineering. The program includes coursework, teaching assistantships, research requirements, and creation and defense of a dissertation. Students learn to communicate, both, orally and in writing to a wide audience. They work under the supervision of a faculty member to engage in research and publication. Through Rowan University, they will form professional partnerships at a local, national, and international level. U.S. News & World Report ranked Rowan University as the No. 91 for Top Public Schools and Forbes ranks it No. 145 for Top Colleges in the Northeast.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology provides engineering programs that are flexible and affordable. Named the No. 1 Best Value College in South Dakota by Niche, SD Mines makes a Doctor of Philosophy in engineering accessible. The programs are designed to meet the needs of working professionals. Students receive individualized attention and faculty mentoring as they conduct cutting-edge research. Students can earn their Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, chemical and biological engineering, civil and environmental engineering, geological engineering and mining engineering, materials engineering and science, and nanoscience and nanoengineering. SD Mines is ranked No. 161 by Best Engineering Colleges, and U.S. News & World Report ranks it's undergraduate engineering programs as No. 116. With state-of-the-art labs and resources and distinguished faculty, graduates are prepared to become recognized scholars and leaders in their industry.

Stanford University is ranked the No. 2 for Best Value Colleges by Princeton Review and the No. 3 in Engineering Programs with the Best Return on Investment by Best Value Schools. It's also named the No. 2 Best Engineering Schools by both U.S. News & World Report and Business Insider. Students complete rigorous coursework while immersing themselves in research. Stanford focuses on practical problems and interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. Students can choose their area of research from across all areas of the department. They then complete and defend a dissertation. Students have the opportunity to study with a wide array of faculty with different backgrounds and experience. There are many different professional development opportunities at Stanford, and graduates join a large and supportive group of alumni that reflects Stanford's vibrant intellectual community.

Texas A&M University has received several accolades for its engineering programs. Best Value Schools named it No. 16 in its list of Engineering Programs with the Best Return on Investment. Both Business Insider and U.S. News & World Report named it No. 15 for Best Engineering Schools. Students can earn their Ph.D. in a variety of fields of engineering. TAMU offers doctorates in aerospace engineering, biological and agricultural engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, ocean engineering, and petroleum engineering. The program teaches engineering essentials along with skills in leadership, communication, public service and problem-solving. Students complete an internship to gain valuable hands-on experience. Graduates from TAMU are prepared to work at the highest levels of the engineering profession.

As the No. 13 Best Value Engineering Schools according to Best Value Schools, Texas Tech University offers an engineering program that is affordable and rewarding. Students create a custom curriculum plan that is approved by their advisor and the Systems and Engineering Management Program Coordinator. The program requires a total of 60 credit hours plus 12 hours of dissertation. Students must complete two summer residencies, which require them to be on campus for two weeks in two consecutive summers. Other courses can be completed online. The Ph.D. in Systems and Engineering Management program prepares graduates to be leaders in technology and to fill management positions. Students also gain hands-on experience through internships and involvement in Texas Tech's community of scholars. Texas Tech also offers Ph.D.s in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering. It was named the No. 93 for Best Engineering Schools by U.S. News & World Report and No. 98 for Best Engineering Colleges.

Aerospace Schools ranked the University of Alabama as No. 40 in its aerospace ranking. UA is also ranked as No. 124 for Best Engineering Schools by U.S. News & World Report. The aerospace engineering and mechanics Doctor of Philosophy is designed for working professionals with five or more years of experience in engineering. It's a research-based degree that culminates in the completion and defense of a dissertation. It's primarily online, part-time or full-time, and can be completed by students who are working full time while they earn their degree. Courses can be completed online from any location, but students visit campus once per semester to work with faculty and make essential on-campus connections. Along with flexibility, the program is affordable. UA was named the No. 80 for Best Value Schools by U.S. News & World Report. Graduates join an extensive alumni network and are prepared to advance their career and implement change and improvement in their industry.

A Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham is a collaborative program that teaches students to work in teams and think creatively. Students focus on engineering and a second discipline of their choice. They relate the two in their final dissertation. The program is highly research-intensive, and students can be involved in research across numerous areas and topics. There are several excellent research laboratories, and students learn to stay up to date with the latest in technology. UAB also offers Ph.D. programs in biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, and materials engineering. Each one has a program that can be tailored to the students' needs and goals. The Ph.D. program at UAB can be completed part-time through distance learning for working professionals. Forbes named UAB the No. 78 for Top Public Colleges in the South and U.S. News & World Report named it No. 80 for Top Public Schools.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville offers Doctor of Philosophy programs in engineering management, industrial engineering, systems engineering, and civil engineering. Each program is uniquely designed by the student, with help from an advisor and a faculty committee. Students complete an independent research project and a final dissertation. Throughout the research process, they consult with their committee and faculty advisor to monitor progress, and receive support. Engineering students have access to 17 high-tech labs and research centers. U.S. News & World Report named UAH as the No. 118 for Best Engineering Schools. Niche named it No. 80 for Best Colleges for Engineering in America, and Forbes named it No. 104 for Top Colleges in the South. Graduates are prepared to become leaders in their industry.

Students earning their Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management from the University of Bridgeport can choose one of two focuses: new technology venture creation or select current and emerging technologies. The program has a strong focus on building interdisciplinary skills. Students learn to work across industries and to integrate various methods of technology and management. Students improve their creative thinking skills while gaining knowledge in the discipline and mastering both oral and written communication. Research is designed to help students make original contributions to the industry. Bridgeport students have access to excellent research facilities, labs, and faculty and may complete the program as full-time or part-time students. Students can also earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from Bridgeport. The School of Engineering was named among the top 200 Engineering Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Listed among the top 100 Best Engineering Schools by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Central Missouri offers an innovative web-based doctoral program. Students interested in earning their Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management can specialize in construction management, digital communications, human resource development, and industrial training, manufacturing systems, or quality systems. The program includes coursework in a core for general technology, research, technical specialization, professional studies; and a residency requirement along with a dissertation. Students have access to specialized laboratories and opportunities to exchange ideas and information with experts and peers across the country. Faculty members are experienced professionals with diverse research interests. Graduates have a well-rounded education and are prepared to fill positions of leadership, managing, and directing.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder was named a program of excellence by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. CU Boulder is recognized as the No. 95 for Best Engineering Colleges, the No. 34 for Best Engineering Schools on Business Insider, and the No. 31 for Best Engineering Schools on U.S. News & World Report. CU Boulder is home to four research centers. Students earning their engineering Ph.D. have access to hands-on, experiential learning under world-renowned faculty. There are more than 40 faculty members in the department with diverse backgrounds and experience. CU Boulder offers distance education to allow working professionals to continue their education. Students can watch classes life, participate online, and even attend some classes on campus. Online students have access to support from staff, faculty, and peers. Along with the Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, CU Boulder also offers Ph.D.s in chemical and biological engineering, civil, environmental and architectural engineering, electrical engineering, materials science engineering, and mechanical engineering.

The University of Delaware is among the top 50 Best Engineering Schools according to U.S. News & World Report. It offers a wide array of support services to address students' needs at the academic, administrative, and research level. Students can earn their Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, or ocean engineering. Students can further specialize their area of study as they design a curriculum to meet their professional needs. Faculty mentors work with each student as they progress through the program. It can be completed in approximately five years. Students have access to several student groups and organizations for networking experience. The University of Delaware is named the No. 1 Best College in Delaware by Niche.

Individuals who wish to advance quickly to professional-level positions can consider one of the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering programs from the University of Maine. UMaine offers Ph.D. programs in chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, engineering in the natural sciences, mechanical engineering, and spatial information science and engineering. A Ph.D. program gives students experience in practical and applicable research that can contribute to discoveries and development on a local, national, and international level. Students also have the opportunity to get involved in one of many student groups or apply for research and teaching assistantships. UMaine is among the top 200 Top Colleges in the Northeast by Forbes and the top 100 Top Public Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

U.S. News & World Report recognizes the University of Maryland as No. 22 for Best Engineering Schools and No. 24 for Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. UMD also made Business Insider's ranking of Best Engineering Schools at No. 23. Students in the Doctor of Philosophy engineering programs complete dedicated research under the guidance of a faculty member. Students are encouraged to identify which faculty member they wish to work with. This faculty member will then become their research and coursework advisor. Along with research, students are encouraged to publish their work in archival journals and prepare a final dissertation. Before graduation, students complete an oral exam in defense of their dissertation. UMD offers a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering along with a Ph.D. in Reliability Engineering. Students can complete the program as full-time or part-time students, and courses are offered in the evenings so that students can complete the program while working and maintaining other obligations.

Business Insider ranked the University of Michigan as No. 9 for Best Engineering Schools. U.S. News & World Report ranks it No. 6 for Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs and No. 5 for Best Engineering Schools. Each student defines their own custom plan of study, combining rigorous coursework, significant research, and practica. Students are encouraged to specialize and work with two faculty in their respective fields. The program prepares students for positions of leadership with knowledge in two or more disciplines. The flexibility and personalization make it possible for working professionals to earn an advanced degree without quitting other obligations. As part of the program, students complete a semester of practicum or internship to ensure they have hands-on experience in their area of specialty. The University of Michigan also offers a Doctor of Engineering in Manufacturing.

The University of Minnesota has received several accolades. Niche called it the No. 1 Top Public University in Minnesota, and U.S. News & World Report called it the No. 86 for Best Value Schools and No. 27 for Best Engineering Schools. Students can earn a Doctor of Philosophy from UMN in aerospace engineering and mechanics, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, or mechanical engineering. There are several mentor programs in order to connect students with their peers, advisors, and industry professionals. There are also more than 75 student groups within the College of Science and Engineering. UMN's College of Science and Engineering oversees several research centers, allowing students to interact with diverse discipline for research collaboration and the exchange of new ideas and information.

Students at the University of North Dakota can choose to earn their Doctor of Philosophy in aerospace sciences, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, energy engineering, environmental engineering, or petroleum engineering. UND has been ranked among the top 200 Engineering Programs by U.S. News & World Report. The Ph.D. curriculum can be customized to each student. It prepares them to gather the skills necessary to solve engineering challenges. Students learn through excellent facilities and technology. They have opportunities to network through one of over 250 student clubs and organizations. With small class sizes, students are able to communicate with faculty and peers and develop strong teamwork and leadership skills. UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The University of South Carolina offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Programs that are designed for working professionals. Most classes are available online through streaming video. Courses follow a tri-semester plan and are offered three times a year. Each student is advised by a faculty member throughout the program, and students can request to work under a specific faculty member. There are several opportunities for graduate students to get involved in research and even receive research funding. The research requirement must be completed in residence at the U of SC College of Engineering and Computing. Students can earn a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or nuclear engineering. U of SC was named among the top 100 Best Engineering Schools by both U.S. News & World Report and Best Engineering Colleges.

The University of Tennessee offers Doctor of Philosophy programs in Industrial Engineering-Management, Mechanical of Aerospace Engineering, and Engineering Science. It's ranked No. 99 for Best Engineering Colleges' list. The engineering Ph.D. programs include the proposal, completion, and defense of a dissertation. Students work with an advisory committee through the completion of their dissertation. There are also several developmental research and technology projects at the university. The program is accessible to working students, who can choose a blend of delivery methods for their course completion. The program blends technical knowledge with skills in leadership, management, teamwork, and quality improvement. Graduates are prepared to lead technical organizations and join a network of distinguished alumni. U.S News & World Report has recognized UT as No. 52 for Top Public Schools and No. 58 for Best Engineering Schools.