Top Online Ph.D. Programs 2025
Do you aspire to work in academia? If you’ve dreamt of teaching students at the college level or pursuing a profession as a researcher, earning a doctoral degree can help you achieve your goals.
As distance learning has become more popular, some schools have begun offering online Ph.D. programs. These options can help you get the education you need while fitting classes between your professional work and personal needs.
Explore our list of the top schools offering online Ph.D. programs in this in-depth degree guide.
Why Earn Your Ph.D. Online
Flexibility: Online classes — especially those delivered asynchronously — can help you balance your studies with your personal and professional obligations. Though online Ph.D. programs may still have clinical or in-person requirements, you can often watch recorded lectures and complete assignments on your schedule.- Accessibility: If you have difficulties with mobility or traversing a campus, an online Ph.D. program can reduce some of these barriers by allowing you to complete classes from anywhere with a steady internet connection.
- Availability: With traditional learning, you are limited to attending local schools or relocating to a faraway institution. Enrolling in an online Ph.D. program extends your reach to schools that might otherwise be unavailable.
- Affordability: Though pursuing higher education at any level and through any delivery method can create a significant financial burden, attending online can reduce costs related to room and board, relocation, commuting, and more.
Top Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs
To be included in our list below, schools had to be nonprofit, hold institutional accreditation, and offer at least five online Ph.D. programs. These schools are unranked and listed alphabetically.
Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School
Capitol Technology University is a small private university offering 37 online Ph.D. programs. Popular programs include computer science, engineering management, and astronautical engineering. Capitol also has unique Ph.D. programs like space cybersecurity and quantum computing.
Highlights
- Has no requirements for on-campus classes or residences for most of its online Ph.D. programs
- Offers discounts for active and retired military, as well as full-time high school and community college faculty and staff
- Provides personalized support, including academic advising, career services, and technical help
Know Before You Apply
- Some programs, like the Ph.D. in business analytics, require an annual residency and other types of in-person attendance.
- It's possible to enroll in the technology combination MS/Ph.D. program with an undergraduate degree; others need at least a master's to enroll.
- In-State$25,830
- Out-of-state$25,830
- In-State$11,340
- Out-of-state$11,340
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled823
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Mississippi State University
- Mississippi State, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School
Mississippi State University offers 13 online Ph.D. programs. Degrees in high-demand fields include computer science and engineering. MSU also offers a Ph.D. in plant and soil sciences with concentrations in agronomy, weed science, or horticulture.
Highlights
- Provides tuition waivers for senior citizens in Mississippi
- Offers in-state tuition rates for all online Ph.D. students
- Has three application windows throughout the year: fall, spring, and summer
Know Before You Apply
- Some programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last four semesters of undergraduate work; others require a 3.5.
- International students must take the TOEFL and score over 550 to be eligible for admission.
- Prospective students can take an online readiness assessment on MSU's website to determine their readiness for online learning.
- In-State$9,248
- Out-of-state$25,294
- In-State$9,398
- Out-of-state$25,444
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled22,657
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Online
Why We Chose This School
Nova Southeastern University is a medium-sized private university with eight online Ph.D. programs. Criminal justice, health sciences, and nursing are among the most popular choices. More unique options include cybersecurity management and conflict analysis and resolution.
Highlights
- Offers $220 million in scholarships to graduate students
- Provides the flexibility to earn a Ph.D. while continuing to work
- Partners with employers who offer discounted tuition to their employees
Know Before You Apply
- Application and start times vary; some only accept applications in the fall, while others have multiple application and start times throughout the year.
- Most programs require some in-person attendance, such as a residency, but some are completely online.
- In-State$34,500
- Out-of-state$34,500
- In-State$22,062
- Out-of-state$22,062
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled20,877
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School
Texas Tech University has 13 fully online Ph.D. programs, primarily in education-related fields such as higher education administration and educational psychology. Texas Tech's noneducational Ph.D. programs include technical communication and rhetoric, systems and engineering management, and personal financial planning.
Highlights
- Offers tracks for STEM, teaching, counseling, psychology, administration, research, and policy
- Has a job placement of almost 100% for graduates from the personal financial planning Ph.D. program
- Provides generous flexibility for some programs, such as the Ph.D. in educational leadership, available for students living abroad
Know Before You Apply
- Some online Ph.D. programs may require campus attendance for a course or activity.
- Coursework and key milestones like the qualifying exam, proposal defense, and final dissertation defense require live, synchronous interaction for some programs.
- Application deadlines vary; some program applications are open year-round, while others open on a limited basis.
- In-State$8,934
- Out-of-state$21,174
- In-State$6,956
- Out-of-state$15,136
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled40,773
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Western Michigan University
- Kalamazoo, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School
Western Michigan University offers eight online Ph.D. programs, six of which are in science education with concentrations in biological sciences, chemistry, geosciences, and more. Other Ph.D. programs include K-12 leadership and evaluation, measurement, and research.
Highlights
- Provides rolling deadlines so students can apply at any time
- Offers chances to join grant-funded research and present findings at conferences
- Charges online students the same tuition per credit hour as in-state students
Know Before You Apply
- Some programs require an overall minimum 3.0 GPA for all post-bachelor's work.
- Certain programs require applicants to submit GRE or TOEFL scores.
- In-State$14,494
- Out-of-state$18,118
- In-State$17,539
- Out-of-state$26,308
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled17,559
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
Why Accreditation Matters for Ph.D. Programs
A school gains accreditation after being recognized by an independent institution that verifies the school’s courses and programs meet set quality standards.
The school you choose must be accredited if you plan to receive federal financial aid or potentially transfer your credits to a different graduate program. Employers may only recognize degrees from accredited schools, and depending on your field, your Ph.D. program may also need to hold specialized programmatic accreditation to qualify you for state licensure and/or industry certifications.
Legitimate accreditors are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
How Does an Online Ph.D. Program Work?
Online Ph.D. programs may operate primarily online or blend on-campus coursework into their curricula through hybrid delivery. Even schools that use fully online delivery may have a few on-campus requirements, like intensives or dissertation defenses. The following section explores the structure of an online Ph.D. program.
- Classwork: Courses in an online Ph.D. program largely mirror those taught in on-campus programs, though they may offer more flexible timelines. For example, rather than having set class times, distance learning may use asynchronous classes with recorded lectures and message board discussions. However, some classes, intensives, or exams may need to occur at specific times or in person.
- Dissertation: Most doctoral programs require a significant research project, often known as a dissertation. A dissertation requires a proposal and approval from faculty, along with a defense upon completion. During the defense phase, students must field questions from faculty on their findings.
- Fieldwork: During fieldwork, students are embedded in professional roles for credit, allowing them to develop hands-on experience while still enrolled in school. Fieldwork almost exclusively occurs in person. Many schools assist with fieldwork placements, although some may require learners to find their own opportunities.
Find Online Ph.D. Programs in Your Field
Best Online DBA and Ph.D. in Business Programs
Considering an online doctoral program in business? Learn about the top-ranked programs and whether a DBA or Ph.D. is right for you.
Top Online Doctorate in Psychology Programs
An online doctorate in psychology offers advanced training for clinical, academic, or research-focused psychology careers. Learn what it entails.
Online Ph.D. in Computer Science Programs
You can earn an online Ph.D. in computer science from a top university. Learn more about getting a computer science doctorate and post-graduate career options.
Is an Online Ph.D. Worth It?
$99,256
Average starting salary for doctoral grads
1.2%
Unemployment rate for doctorate-holders
If you plan to pursue a career that requires a doctoral degree and seek additional flexibility in completing your coursework, an online Ph.D. program can be worthwhile.
Additionally, Ph.D. degree-holders appear to be in high demand — the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the lowest unemployment rate among those with doctoral degrees.
Graduates with Ph.D. degrees often work as professors. The BLS reports a median annual salary of $83,980 as of May 2024 for these professionals, with the top 10% earning over $199,520. Though pursuing a doctoral degree of any kind can be a significant financial undertaking, this salary data indicates the possibility for a strong return on your educational investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you earn a degree online, it rarely — if ever — will specify the delivery method on the diploma. So long as you’re completing an online Ph.D. program from an accredited university, it should garner the same respect as a traditional, on-campus degree.
