6 Most Affordable Doctorate Degrees in Engineering Management Online

phd in engineering management

Do you already have a background in Engineering? Are you ready to advance your career to the highest level? If you love the fusion of business, technology, management, and leadership, then your next academic step could be an affordable online doctorate in Engineering Management. You can choose between two paths: PhD that leads you to academia, or a Doctor of Business Administration that will lead you to senior level leadership roles in the business setting. In this ranking, we explore the top 6 low-cost online doctorates in Engineering Management, ranked simple in descending order of tuition, as calculated by the National Center for Educational Statistics.

#6 University of Alabama Huntsville

Huntsville, Alabama

PhD in Industrial Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management Online

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 2,011


Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the affordable online doctorate in Engineering Management at the University of Alabama Huntsville results in an online PhD in Industrial Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management. Students will begin by taking core courses like Engineering Project Management, Engineering Management Structures and Systems, and Managing Change in High Tech Organizations. Students will then work on their cognate courses, with a minor in Mathematics & Statistics, followed by 15-credit hours of a second minor. Those minors include Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Systems Simulation, Operations Research, or Human Factors. Note that this program requires a minimum of five years work experience in a related Engineering Management field. After completing the core coursework, students must pass the Comprehensive exam; then they will move on to the dissertation process. Students enrolled in the low-cost PhD program in Engineering Management will have five years to write and defend their dissertation.
Out-of-State Graduate Tuition: $22,696

#5 North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina

PhD in Technology Management Online

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 1,536

In combination with Indiana State University, the low-cost online doctorate in engineering management offering from North Carolina A&T State University is a PhD in Technology Management. Within the 90-credits include a general technology core, a research core, a technical specialization, an internship, a residency requirement, and a dissertation. Students can choose from the following concentrations: construction management, digital communication systems, human resource development and industrial training, manufacturing systems, and quality systems. Benefits of the program include a program coordinator (that aids in all aspects of the process from selecting courses to choosing a career path) and a flexible and customizable program to fit the student’s specific interests. Students enrolled in North Carolina A&T State University’s cheap online doctorate in engineering management can expect affordable tuition, qualified faculty, and a learning model focused on students’ success.

Out-of-State Graduate Tuition: $17,150

#4 Northcentral University

Scottsdale, Arizona

Online Doctor of Business Administration in Management of Engineering and Technology

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 10,699


Accredited by the Senior College and University Commission, Northcentral University offers a cheap online DBA degree in Management of Engineering and Technology. In this 54-credit program, students will apply their technical knowledge and experience within the framework of business management practices. Students can expect to complete their degree in about 39 months. Of all the programs on this list, Northcentral University’s is perhaps the most flexible, as it offers start dates every Monday and a one-to-one learning model that provides support for all online students. Note that there are no GRE or GMAT test requirements for admission. Because Northcentral University is strictly an online graduate university, they have the opportunity to hone in on specific groups of studies and provide a quality, innovative education that prepares passionate professionals to excel in their respective careers. Graduates of this low-cost online doctorate in Engineering Management will be prepared for high-level careers in settings like engineering, manufacturing or technology.
Out-of-State Graduate Tuition: $16,553

#3 Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

Online PhD in Technology Management

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 2,180


Through the College of Technology, Indiana State University offers a low-cost online PhD in Technology Management. Within this 66-credit program, students will choose one of five concentration areas, including: construction management, digital communication systems, human resource development, industrial training, manufacturing systems, and quality systems. All students will complete two semesters of concentrated study, a practice called a Doctoral Residency. Though all coursework can be completed online, there are two weekend-long seminars that require on-campus attendance. The curriculum is broken up into four main parts: General Technology Core (12 credits), Research Core and Dissertation (27 credits), Technical Specialization (18 credits), and Electives (9 credits). If taken on a part-time basis, students can expect to complete their affordable online doctoral degree in Engineering Management in approximately 4.5 years. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Indiana State University’s cheap online doctorate in Engineering Management will prepare graduates for leadership positions in a variety of industry settings.
Out-of-State Graduate Tuition: $14,274

#2 University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

PhD in Technology Management Online

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 2,532


In cooperation with several other accredited universities, the University of Central Missouri offers an affordable online PhD degree in Technology Management. Students can expect to take coursework in the following areas: general technology core, research core, technical specialization, professional studies, residency requirement, and a dissertation. Specializations available are Construction Management, Digital Communications, Human Resource Development and Training, Manufacturing Systems, and Quality Systems. In addition to the completed application and career goal statement, to be admitted to the program, students must have:

  • a minimum GPA of 3.5
  • GRE verbal and quantitative score of 150 or higher
  • 5 letters of recommendation
  • 4,000 hours of work experience in area of specialization

While the program consists of 87 credits, 30 of those credits can come from a Master’s degree program. The goal of the University of Missouri’s low-cost doctorate in engineering management is to develop senior level leaders equipped to manage and direct technology.
Out-of-State Graduate Tuition: $14,033

#1 Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Online PhD in Systems and Engineering Management

Website
Graduate Enrollment: 6,259


Through the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, Texas Tech University offers a low-cost blended Doctor of Philosophy in Systems and Engineering Management. The 72-credit hour program is considered a blended program because, while all coursework can be completed online, students are required to attend two consecutive summer residencies. Sample classes include The Engineering Management Environment, Productivity and Performance Improvement in Organizations, Decision Theory and Management Science, and Simulation Models for Operations Analysis. The degree from Texas Tech University will be identical to students who attend classes on-campus; it will not say ‘online’ on the degree. Students enrolled will also have free technical services like access to the eLibrary and 24/7 online support. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC), students enrolled in Texas Tech University’s affordable online doctorate in engineering management will be prepared to take on high-level leadership positions in the engineering field.
Out-of-State Graduate Tuition: $13,068

Frequently Asked Questions About Low-Cost Online Doctorates in Engineering Management

Q: What degrees are available for a low-cost online doctorate in Engineering Management?
A: There are two main degrees students can get through an affordable online doctoral program in Engineering Management:

  • a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • a Doctor of Business Administration (EdD)

A PhD degree will lead you to an academic path, where you will develop new research in the field and possibly pursue a career at universities and colleges. In contrast, a Doctor of Business Administration is a better fit for working professionals who want to work in senior level management positions in a corporation. The terminal degree will help you become an expert in your field and set you apart for a high-level engineering management career. Students enrolled in a DBA program can expect to take more advanced business-related coursework. While nothing is ever finite, deciding if you prefer to research and teach or if you want a more hands-on engineering management career will help you choose the path that will ultimately help you build the career and life you desire.

In short, a PhD graduate could:

  • publish academic research in journals, articles, or books
  • become a part-time or full-time professor at a university

A DBA graduate could:

  • apply research and theory in a business setting
  • build a career in high-level engineering management
  • manage an engineering team
  • create solutions to business challenges

Q: What is a cheap online doctorate in Engineering Management?
A: A doctoral degree in Engineering Management is the highest possible degree in the field and will combine the advanced study of business, management, leadership, and technology to prepare graduates for senior-level engineering management positions or careers in academia. Another major represented on this rankings list is Technology Management. The paths are similar, and you might find the only difference is a few courses. Check the details of your program’s curriculum to see if it’s the right fit for you and your career goals.

Q: What is a consortium and what schools are a part of it?
A: A consortium agreement is an alliance between two or more schools who share resources (professors, content, etc.) in order to provide the best possible educational experience for students. A consortium is unique because it allows schools to expand their course listings, and students get the opportunity to learn from a larger pool of professors with diverse research interests. The coalition of schools a part of this joint degree in Technology Management includes:

  • Indiana State University
  • Bowling Green State University
  • East Carolina University
  • North Carolina A&T State University
  • University of Central Missouri

Q: Are there any concentrations or specializations within the Engineering Management field?
A: Yes! If you choose a school that is a part of the consortium degree, you can choose between 5 different concentrations:

  • Construction Management: A construction manager will make sure projects are completed on time and in budget, as well as manage all the employees responsible for the project.
  • Digital Communications: Digital Communications is the comprehensive study of how information is transmitted through technology and digital media.
  • Human Resource Development and Training: Human Resource Development and Training is focused on the recruitment, management, and training of employees within an organization or business institution.
  • Manufacturing Systems: This specialization focuses on planning, researching, and implementing effective manufacturing process in a facility.
  • Quality Systems: Quality Systems refers to the process that produces a product, and with the ultimate goal of enhancing customer satisfaction.

Other specializations could include: Crisis, Emergency, and Risk Management, Software Engineering and Information Systems, Information Security Management, Operations Research and Management Science, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Systems Simulation, Operations Research, or Human Factors

Q: What is the best affordable online doctorate program in Engineering Management?
A: There really isn’t a way to tell you which program is best for you since the educational process is extremely personal. Most importantly, you’ll want to consider all the factors of the program and decide which one will fit into your life the best. Features of the program to consider are degree type, cognate options, course delivery (online, blended, hybrid, or on-campus), class delivery (synchronous, asynchronous, or a combination of both), career outcomes, and tuition costs.

Q: Do I need a Master’s degree for admission to an affordable online doctorate in Engineering Management?
A: Yes, you will. Admission to an affordable online doctoral program in Engineering Management requires both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in a related engineering field. Some schools like the University of Alabama Huntsville require a few years of work experience before you’re allowed to apply to the program. Make sure to check the details of your program to see what prerequisites you will need before you apply.

Q: How long does it take to complete a cheap online doctorate in Engineering Management?
A: Doctoral degree programs are more intense than Master’s degree programs and for good reason. By getting the highest degree possible, you become an expert in your field, and that doesn’t happen overnight. You can find some programs, that when taken on a full-time basis, that can be completed in as little as three years. Other programs can take four, five, or even six years to complete, depending on your course load. Some programs allow up to seven or eight years for you to complete your terminal doctoral degree in engineering management. Something to keep in mind is that generally speaking, students getting their PhD will attend full-time, but students who decide on the DBA path will attend part-time, as the DBA is geared toward the working professional. Either way, it is important to check the details of your program before admission to make sure the parameters would work for you.

Q: Are there any low-cost doctorate programs in Engineering Management that do not require a dissertation?
A: The dissertation portion of a doctorate is extremely important, as you will research at an advanced level and address valuable issues within the engineering management framework. It will set you apart as an expert in your field. Most programs require students to research, write and defend a dissertation, but it is possible that you could find a program that will have a capstone project instead. However, it is crucial to consider the value that a dissertation will bring to your academic footprint as you pursue a high-level career in the field of Engineering Management.

Q: How much do affordable online doctorate degrees in Special Education cost?
A: In this rankings list, the tuition for the programs range from $12,000-$24,000 per year (out of state tuition). You could potentially find a cheaper online doctorate program, but you’ll want to make sure it fits within your criteria and holds accreditation from a reputable institution. However, some schools go all the way up to $40,000 per year.

Q: How can I pay for my cheap online doctorate in Special Education?

A: Making room in your budget for school costs can be daunting. But luckily, there are many scholarships and financial aid options available. Most schools have information on their website to help guide you in that process. For military service members, many schools have tuition discounts or special scholarships available, so make to sure to look for those in your search. Another option is to talk to the institution where you currently work. Some have tuition reimbursement programs, where they will pay for your education, and you can pay them back through working contracts. Some schools have options for students to become Teaching Assistants, which could help with tuition costs.

Career Questions About Cheap Doctorates in Engineering Management:

Q: What kind of careers can I pursue with an affordable Engineering Management doctorate online degree?
A: There are many careers you could pursue with your low-cost online doctorate in Engineering or Technology Management. Some examples include:

  • Full-Time Faculty
  • Construction Management Engineer
  • Senior Lead Analyst
  • Engineering Project Manager/li>
  • Industrial Management Engineer/li>
  • Cost Systems Analyst
  • Plant Manager

Q: What kind of salary will I earn with a low-cost doctorate degree in Engineering Management?
A: Your salary will vary based on your chosen career, but one thing is for sure; you will certainly make more money with a doctorate degree than any other degree. Your potential for growth in your career is substantial, too. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, some sample salaries include:

  • Engineering Managers: $137,720 per year (mean annual wage for 2017)
  • Adjunct Faculty/Professor: $76,000 (mean annual wage for 2017)
  • Operation Research Analyst: $81,390 (mean annual wage for 2017)

Q: Are there any professional organizations available for professionals in the Engineering field?
A: Yes! Just as careers in this field are widespread, so are the professional organizations. The ones you choose to become a member of will be determined by your specific goals, professional needs, and career aspirations. A few options include:

Related Rankings:

Sources: