10 Most Affordable Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Online

Updated on August 15, 2023

Student in classroom

Finding high quality and affordable online PhD in Organizational Leadership programs requires research. Not all programs offer accreditation, rigor, or research opportunities. Choosing a quality program offered by an accredited institution can greatly impact your future employment. There are a number of organizational leadership doctorate online programs designed to fit the needs of graduate students who have a strong work ethic, desire to delve into research, and want to earn a degree outside of the traditional classroom.

If you are on the lookout for cheap online organizational leadership PhD programs, this list is for you. Below you will find regionally and nationally accredited programs designed with the working student in mind. Our list includes high quality online organizational leadership PhD programs and organizational leadership doctorate online degrees, some of which have earned rankings from major publications like U.S. News and World Report. This ranking was created to help you choose an affordable doctorate in organizational leadership that will best fit your personal and professional career aspirations.

Organizational Leadership PhDs for You

These top schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.

Most Affordable Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Online

Other Online Phd in Organizational Leadership Programs:

Regent University

Online PhD in Organizational Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,226

For more information: Regent University

Walden University

Online DBA in Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,555

For more information: Walden University

St. Thomas University

Online Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,076

For more information: St. Thomas University

Concordia University

Online PhD in Organizational Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,688

For more information: Concordia University

Capella University

Online PhD in Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,003

For more information: Capella University

Creighton University

Online PhD in Interdisciplinary Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $16,424

For more information: Creighton University

Northcentral University

Online PhD in Organizational Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $17,781

Abilene Christian University

Online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $19,890

For more information: Abilene Christian University

Northeastern University

Online Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $22,913

For more information: Northeastern University

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Online PhD in Organizational Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $26,179

For more information: The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

University of Southern California

Online Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $42,305

For more information: University of Southern California

Finding the Right Online PhD in Organizational Leadership Program

A lot of research is required to find a quality online PhD in organizational leadership program. Not all online programs are created equal. Accreditation, affordability, and other aspects are important to consider before applying to an online PhD program. Once you've verified regional or national accreditation, tuition and fees, and in some cases, program rankings, you should determine fit. A program that meets your professional goals and includes coursework that you find engaging and beneficial to your career offers a good fit.

Organizational Leadership Career Outlook

According to the United States Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in organizational management and management analyst careers are expected to grow 12 percent through the next nine years, faster than the average for all occupations. As demand for services provided by organizations increases, so will organizational leadership and management positions. Organizations will continue to seek ways to improve efficiency and control costs, and will seek out highly qualified organizational leaders.

Anticipated growth will be particularly strong in smaller consulting companies that specialize in certain types of business, such as human resources and information technology. Government organizations are also expected to recruit the services of organizational leaders and management analysts as they search for ways to reduce spending and improve the efficiency of their agencies. While jobseekers face strong competition for these positions, especially those with government agencies, earning a doctorate degree in organizational leadership will help set you apart from your competition. Also, earning an online PhD in organizational leadership from a regionally accredited and ranked college or university will help improve your likelihood of securing a job when you finish your degree.

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The Importance of Accreditation

Accreditation status is critical when selecting a PhD organizational leadership online degree program. Colleges and universities in the United States receive accreditation from U.S. Department of Education recognized agencies. These agencies conduct an extensive review of the institution's educational programs and student services and issue accreditation credentials to those schools that adhere to stringent guidelines.

Legitimate online degree programs are accredited by either the Department of Education or the nonprofit Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). While researching PhD organizational leadership online degrees, you will encounter programs with either regional or national accreditation. While both accreditations are signs of a program's quality, it is important to know that employers look favorably on regional accreditation. The regional accreditation process can be more rigorous than national accreditation. While it is more common for online programs to have national accreditation, there are a large number of colleges and universities that are regionally accredited.

Specialization Options in Organizational Leadership

Some online organizational management PhD programs offer specialization options so that students may tailor their degree toward areas of interest or to meet career goals. Popular specialization options include human resources management, information technology, international business, marketing, and operations management and supervision.

Earning a specialization in an area of interest, such as human resources management or operations management and supervision, means taking additional classes that focus only on aspects of the concentration. In HR, students take classes that emphasize the various personnel and administrative needs of organizations, such as benefits and compensation, employee orientation, and recruitment. A specialization in marketing might mean taking classes that explore consumer behavior, global advertising, market research, and strategic marketing. No matter which specialization you choose, employers look favorably upon additional expertise.

What Do Organizational Leaders Earn?

Earning potential is often commensurate with education and experience, especially for organizational leadership careers. The median annual wage for organizational managers and management analysts was $81,330 in May 2016, with the lowest ten percent earning less than $46,560 and the highest ten percent earning more than $149,000. While a bachelor's degree is typical for entry-level employment, an MBA, DBA, or PhD is required to advance.

Individuals with a PhD in organizational leadership, or closely related degree, advance at a quicker rate than lesser degreed colleagues. At the senior level, the majority of managers have a master's degree at minimum. Also, employers value education and seek job applicants who have earned a quality education. Earning a PhD organizational management online degree means you are an expert in your field, with or without experience.

Working While Completing an Online PhD in Organizational Leadership

While most traditional PhD programs discourage students from working while earning their degree, online programs are more flexible. Depending on outside obligations and program requirements, students may choose to earn an online PhD in organizational leadership while gaining valuable work experience. In fact, many of the PhD organizational leadership online programs on our list are specifically designed for working professionals.

Enrollment counselors are available to assist graduate students with time management and provide tips for obtaining a work-life balance while earning a PhD. Also, working while earning your doctorate might provide you with the combination of education and experience you need to land your dream job.

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