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A doctorate in education (Ed.D.) is one of two doctoral degrees you can pursue as a scholar in the education field. The Ed.D. is typically practice-oriented and can qualify you for top-ranking roles in teaching and education administration. In contrast, the traditional doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in education maintains a stronger theoretical and research focus, usually preparing graduates for academia.
Educational institutions will continue to play an important role in the knowledge and information economies of the future. An Ed.D. degree can help you make a positive impact on school environments from the pre-K to postsecondary levels.
This overview explains key features of Ed.D. degrees, differentiating them from Ph.D. programs in education and other postgraduate credentials like education specialist (Ed.S.). It also offers a ranked list of this year's best online Ed.D. programs, which you can use to help inform your search for the ideal learning opportunity.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Ed.D. Programs to Take Online
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data and
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, AZ - 4 years
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $801
Out-of-State | $801
Credits to Graduate: 90
ASU's online Ed.D. in leadership and innovation features three emphasis tracks in change leadership, including preK-12; higher education; and systems, professional, and reimagined change leadership. Along with the course requirements, you also complete a written and oral exam, plus a prospectus and dissertation.
You can choose from several annual start dates at the Arizona school, joining a cohort for 7.5-15-week sessions. You can also opt for a fully online or hybrid program while you complete research and inquiries at your place of work.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $2,100
Out-of-State | $2,100
Credits to Graduate: 54 (90 total)
JHU's online Ed.D. program features several emphasis options, including digital age learning, entrepreneurial leadership, and urban leadership. The program features oral and written exams, plus a research or applied dissertation.
At JHU, your online courses may run asynchronously, synchronously, or a mix of the two modes. You need a master's degree and the equivalent of 36 graduate credits for entry, but the Maryland school may offer conditional admission if you need more time to complete the requirements.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
Marshall University
Huntington, WV - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $445
Out-of-State | $445
Credits to Graduate: 45
In Marshall's online Ed.D. in leadership studies, you can gain a deep understanding of what it takes to lead in many settings. You'll study leadership ethics, policies, and practices while researching how leadership skills can be taught and replicated in the workplace.
The program starts in the fall, and all classes run asynchronously online, including the advanced research and dissertation classes. In total, you can complete the degree in three years. You also pay the same tuition rate as all online students at Marshall, regardless of where you live.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
National University
San Diego, CA - 4 years
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $650
Out-of-State | $650
Credits to Graduate: 48
NU's online Ed.D program focuses on the pre-K-12 environment and features 15 concentration options, such as curriculum and teaching, educational leadership, English language learning, and special education. The program starts every week and takes less than three years to complete.
The online classes run asynchronously around your schedule, typically through eight-week sessions. If you have previously completed doctoral credits, you may pursue an accelerated dissertation completion pathway to help you finish your degree at the California school.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
Northeastern University Professional Programs
Boston, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,008
Out-of-State | $1,008
Credits to Graduate: 60 quarter hours
In NU's online Ed.D. program, you can choose from five concentrations: innovative teaching and learning, higher education administration, integrative studies, workplace learning, and transformative school leadership. Along with the online coursework, you complete a dissertation and a two-day campus residency at the Massachusetts campus each year.
You can start during any of the three semesters and complete this program in 3-4 years, studying part time or full time. You need at least three years of relevant professional experience for admission.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,550
Out-of-State | $1,550
Credits to Graduate: 55
NSU's online Ed.D. program takes a practical approach to the discipline. You can choose from nine concentrations, including organizational leadership, special education, and curriculum and teaching. You can also opt for an applied dissertation or strategic research project.
In addition to completing distance coursework, you must attend the summer institute in Florida at least once. If you just need your dissertation for your degree, NSU has a doctoral completion pathway program available.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $590
Out-of-State | $590
Credits to Graduate: 108
OSU's hybrid Ed.D. in adult and higher education prepares you to pursue higher education leadership careers. This program features asynchronous or on-campus classes on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You also must also attend the Portland campus two weekends each term.
You can join a cohort of 12-15 students every fall and finish your degree in 3-4 years. For admission, OSU requires you to possess at least three years of full-time work experience in a college or university.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
The University of Findlay
Findlay, OH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $555
Out-of-State | $555
Credits to Graduate: 60
Offered by one of Ohio's first online schools, UF's online Ed.D. program focuses on research translation and one of three emphasis tracks, including superintendent, educational leadership, and student support services. While most classes run online and fit around your schedule, you must also complete a three-day residency at the summer institute.
You can complete the CAEP-accredited program in as little as three years. For admission, you need a master's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
Touro University Nevada
Henderson, NV - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $670
Out-of-State | $670
Credits to Graduate: 60
Touro Nevada's online Ed.D. program features an administration and leadership emphasis and prepares you to pursue leadership positions within various education and healthcare settings. In addition to your online courses and dissertation, you must complete a one-week residency at the Nevada campus each of the first two years.
The flexible online classes allow you to fit your studies around a busy schedule and complete your degree in about three years. Admission requirements include a master's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
University of Mississippi
University, MS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $3,084
Out-of-State | $3,084
Credits to Graduate: 48
With Ole Miss' online Ed.D. in higher education, you can pursue a leadership position within the higher education industry. The program features courses in multidisciplinary perspectives in leadership and program planning and assessment, plus a comprehensive exam and dissertation in practice.
You can study part time and still have the opportunity to complete this program within three years as a working professional. If you're studying from out of state, Ole Miss charges you the same online rate as students from Mississippi, regardless of your home state.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $385
Out-of-State | $585
Credits to Graduate: 80-81
UW's online Ed.D. program offers two concentrations: mathematics education and curriculum and instruction. The CAEP-accredited program features courses like learning and cognition and action research, plus a dissertation in practice.
Your online classes may run asynchronously or synchronously and closely follow on-campus schedules and materials. Both concentrations also include an internship or practicum requiring in-person attendance. UW requires you to possess a master's degree and at least three years of relevant teaching experience for admission.
Best Online Doctorate in Education Programs
Winona State University
Winona, MN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $741
Out-of-State | $741
Credits to Graduate: 57
WSU's online Ed.D. program prepares you to pursue advanced practice positions in education, including preK-12 schools and colleges and universities. You can focus on one of several emphases, including curriculum and instruction, instructional technology, and special education.
The program starts in the fall or spring semesters, and most classes run synchronously online, except for two week-long residencies at the Minnesota campus. With the dissertation and defense, most learners complete the program in three years.
How We Rank Schools
Accredited Schools Online uses a custom ranking system to evaluate schools on their quality, affordability, and reputation.
We rank schools using factors like graduation rate, admission rate, tuition costs, financial aid, and program offerings. All our ranked schools hold institutional accreditation.
Learn more about how we create school rankings on our methodology page.
Why Get an Online Doctorate in Education?
- An Ed.D. offers versatile career applications, helping prepare you for roles in classroom education, education policy, curriculum development, and institutional leadership.
- While Ph.D. programs tend to focus more on theoretical, research-based applications of education knowledge, Ed.D. degrees develop advanced knowledge of education topics with real-world applications.
- In addition to education-focused insights, Ed.D. programs can help you build skills in areas like institutional resource management. These proficiencies can help you become a more effective manager or leader.
- With an Ed.D. degree, you can build the foundations to remain professionally competitive in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex employment landscape.
Did You Know...
- The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that just 11% of public school principals held a doctoral degree in the 2020-21 school year.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 8% job growth for postsecondary teachers from 2022 to 2032. An Ed.D. can help you qualify for these roles.
Does Accreditation Matter for Online Doctoral Degrees?
To ensure employers and reputable educational institutions recognize your degree, you must earn your Ed.D. from an accredited school. You can research schools' accreditation status through the U.S. Department of Education. For information about online learning-specific accreditation, consult this resource.
Some Ed.D. programs hold optional programmatic accreditation credentials. These endorsements can signal program quality or adherence to professional development objectives.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes two main specialized accreditors of Ed.D. programs: the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Look for programs with endorsement from these groups if programmatic accreditation matters to you.
What To Expect From an Online Doctorate in Education
The best online Ed.D. programs typically require about 46-54 credits and 3-4 years of study. Because these degrees tend to attract working educators, schools often prioritize flexibility in their online Ed.D. programs with synchronous evening courses, asynchronous classes, and part-time enrollment options.
Given their practice-based focus, Ed.D. programs often involve both academic and experiential components. Academic requirements usually include core courses that build essential professional competencies alongside electives that offer degree customization opportunities. You may also need to complete a capstone project or develop, write, and defend a doctoral dissertation to complete your degree.
Experiential requirements typically include field placements in institutional or research settings. Even distance learners must usually complete these components in person. Many online Ed.D. programs also include periodic campus residencies designed to enrich your learning experience, provide networking opportunities, and facilitate face-to-face knowledge transfer.
Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission to the best online Ed.D. programs, you often need a master's degree in education or other relevant field that demonstrates a minimum 3.0 GPA. Though standardized test scores from exams like the GRE were once commonplace, fewer schools now require applicants to submit them. Other application materials often include:
- A professional resume or CV
- Letters of recommendation covering your academic and professional background
- Critical writing samples
- A personal statement about your educational and career goals as well as your reasons for seeking entry to the program
Professional experience in teaching, curriculum development, or education administration may strengthen your application.
Degree and Specialization Options
As you explore degree options, it's important to understand how Ed.D. programs differ from other advanced education credentials.
An Ed.D. is a professional doctorate intended for education practitioners aspiring to leadership roles. Meanwhile, Ph.D. programs are academically oriented, emphasizing theory and research. Finally, an Ed.S. is an advanced postgraduate degree teachers pursue that builds advanced skills in a targeted practice area.
Next, explore your Ed.D. specialization options. Many schools offer concentrations in focused areas, such as:
- Curriculum and instruction
- Higher education administration
- Integrated learning technologies
- Learning and design
Depending on your goals, a concentrated Ed.D. may match your career plans more closely than a generalist program.
Popular Courses
Ed.D. curricula vary according to factors like the program's philosophical focus and your chosen specialization or concentration. Still, many of the best online Ed.D. programs cover similar topics, offering classes like the following:
- Educational Organization Leadership: This course introduces and develops fundamental leadership, management, and administration skills. Topics include policymaking, collaboration, resource management, and strategies for navigating social change.
- Institutional Policy Analysis: Students learn about policy audits for educational institutions. Coursework typically focuses on issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Applied Qualitative and Quantitative Educational Research: While Ed.D. programs emphasize research less than Ph.D. programs, applied research remains critical to effective professional practice. This course covers qualitative and quantitative methods for performing targeted, actionable research initiatives.
How Much Will an Online Ed.D. Cost?
According to limited data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), graduate students in education programs at schools offering fully online instruction paid an annual average of $5,187 in tuition and fees in 2020.
Costs vary based on a variety of factors. Prestigious institutions often charge higher tuition, and private schools are generally more expensive than public colleges and universities. Your state residency can also impact tuition at public schools, as some institutions charge out-of-state fees to learners in other jurisdictions, while some online programs offer the same tuition to all enrollees regardless of state residency.
Schools may offer their doctoral students stipends, teaching assistant positions, and other sources of direct financial support. While some such programs limit these options to on-campus enrollees, you may still qualify for funding opportunities as an online learner.
If you need traditional financial aid to meet your schooling costs, look into funding sources that do not require repayment. Beyond any financial assistance programs your school may offer to doctoral students, consider external scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
Federal and private loans are also available for graduate-level programs. However, they create debt, so consider them only as a last resort.
What Can You Do with an Online Doctorate in Education?
Many Ed.D. degree-holders work in K-12 school systems or higher education. However, these are not the only available career paths. For example, Ed.D. graduates can pursue corporate roles like chief learning officer — a role with average salary of $156,340 per year according to Payscale data from August 2023 — or training and development manager, which the BLS reports offered a $120,000 median salary in 2022.
Even jobs in non-corporate settings offer higher-than-average wages: 2022 BLS data also reveals that K-12 school administrators earned a median salary of $103,460.
Payscale reported the overall average base salary of a working professional with an Ed.D. degree is $88,000 per year as of January 2024. However, your actual earning potential will vary depending on your job title and employment location.
The following table explores data for career tracks open to workers with Ed.D. degrees:
| Job | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth Rate (2022-32) |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Learning Officer | $156,340* | N/A |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,000 | +6% |
| K-12 Education Administrator | $103,460 | N/A |
| K-12 School Principal | $101,320 | +1% |
| Postsecondary Education Administrator | $99,940 | +4% |
| Educational Consultant | $72,610* | N/A |
| Instructional Coordinator | $66,490 | +2% |
Sources: BLS, Payscale
You can also work as a classroom teacher with an Ed.D. degree if you hold teaching licensure. The following link offers state-specific teacher licensing information:
How to Choose the Best Ed.D. Online Program
Consulting an authoritative ranking is a great way to start your search for the best online Ed.D. programs. However, you should also consider additional factors before making an educational decision. Some of the specifics you may want to evaluate include:
- Specialization Opportunities: If concentrations interest you, look for programs whose specialization tracks align with your career goals.
- Program Culture and Composition: Schools sometimes design their Ed.D. curricula to advance specific philosophical objectives, such as social justice or educational equity. Look for programs whose values resonate with your outlook.
- Length, Delivery Format, and Residency Requirements: Logistical factors can have a strong impact on a program's practicality. Consider features like completion timelines, asynchronous or synchronous course delivery modes, and whether the program requires physical campus residencies.
Assess these and other relevant program features alongside key considerations like program costs, school reputation, and faculty credentials.
More Questions About Ed.D. Programs Available Online
Is an Ed.D. still called a doctor?
Because an Ed.D. is a doctoral degree, graduates can use the "doctor" designation. Some professionals with Ed.D. degrees use this title, while others do not.
Are online Ed.D. programs worth it?
An Ed.D. can help you qualify for careers that pay higher-than-average wages, including jobs like chief learning officer, school administrator, and training and development manager. This earning potential can signify a positive return on investment for the degree.
NCES data found that just 11% of K-12 public school principals and 9% of private school principals held doctoral degrees in the 2020-21 school year, so holding an Ed.D. credential can also help you stand out in the job market.
How long does it take to earn an Ed.D.?
Online Ed.D. programs typically take 3-4 years. However, many factors can impact your graduation timeline. For instance, you can graduate faster if you study full time or if you enroll in courses during summer sessions.
Is an Ed.D. as prestigious as a Ph.D.?
Ed.D. and Ph.D. credentials both convey expertise. The main difference between these doctoral degrees is their focus: Ed.D. programs are intended for professional practitioners, while Ph.D. degrees are more oriented toward research and theory.
If you aspire to a frontline, leadership-oriented position as an educator, an Ed.D. may be a better match for you. Conversely, a Ph.D. can better suit your goals if you want to work in education research or academia.
Can I do a doctoral degree program in education without a master's in education?
Each school maintains its own admission policies. Many Ed.D. programs prefer or require applicants with master's degrees in education, but some consider candidates from other academic backgrounds. For instance, an education-focused master's degree in psychology may serve as a viable substitute. In other cases, you may not specifically need a master's in education if you hold a bachelor's in education and have teaching experience.