Earning a PhD can boost your career potential. We rank the best research universities that offer online doctorate programs.
Prospective students considering online doctoral programs can choose from a wide range of excellent programs at an array of top research universities. Research universities are schools that invest heavily in research. These universities are therefore able to provide meaningful opportunities for students and faculty to participate in research.
This high level of research activity makes research universities a particularly strong draw for doctoral students and Phd candidates. Doctoral and PhD candidates are typically already working at a high level in their field.
This means that students seeking their doctorate through online doctoral programs must balance existing work and personal responsibilities with a challenging course of education. This is why a growing number of research universities offer online doctoral programs.
For a look at how these online doctoral programs stack up against traditional on campus programs, check out our look at the 50 Best Graduate Schools in the U.S.
Otherwise, read on and learn more about how you can earn an online PhD from a top research university.
The best research universities for online doctoral degrees are classified into different tiers based on their quantifiable commitment to research activities. This tiered ranking is commonly called the Carnegie Classification.
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is a framework for categorizing all accredited, degree-granting institutions in the United States.
Originally formulated in 1970 by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and administered through the University of Indiana’s Center for Postsecondary Research since 2014, the Carnegie Classification is “the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education.”
Under this classification, top research universities for doctoral degrees and PhD candidates are identified as either R2: Doctoral Universities for “high research activity” or R1: Doctoral Universities for “very high research activity.” Look for these classifications when considering options for your online PhD programs.
Back to TopOnline doctoral degree programs are growing in both availability and diversity. Online doctoral programs are offered in an increasingly wide range of subjects including areas like:
...and much more.
An online doctoral programs becoming increasingly diverse in their offerings, proper accreditation becomes more important than ever when determining the quality and credibility of your online PhD:
A school must also be accredited in order to offer federal financial aid to its online doctorate candidates. When looking for an online doctoral program, seek out options with accreditation from a colleges and schools commission in your region. This stamp of approval is critical for ensuring the quality and credibility of your online program.
For instance, if you seek a doctor of nursing practice, be sure that your online doctoral degree program has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). If you seek a PhD in business administration, be sure you only consider online degrees with programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Programmatic accreditation ensures you only select from online PhD programs respected in your field.
Key Point: The best online doctoral programs will have both institutional and programmatic accreditation.
Each research university offering online doctorate programs will have its own admission requirements. However, most online doctoral programs will carry the same basic threshold for admission:
Key Point: In most cases, you’ll be eligible to enter a doctoral degree online after earning a bachelor’s degree. However, some specialized online PhD programs may require you to have earned a master’s degree as well.
As with other advanced degree and graduate programs, research is the central component of your online PhD program. This is true for fully online doctorate degrees as well as hybrid degrees combining online education with traditional on-campus courses.
Regardless of whether you complete a traditional, hybrid or online doctoral program, the typical time to completion is three to six years.
The typical components of your online PhD program may include:
While some foundational online doctorate courses may be focused on your specific discipline or area of study, most courses will focus on research methods and experimental design. You may be able to complete many of these requirements through online classes.
Many online doctoral students are required to complete certain examinations to enter into online PhD candidacy. This will typically occur after you’ve completed one to two years of foundational courses.
In most cases, the central component of your online PhD program will be the completion of your dissertation. After gaining status as an online PhD candidate, you will typically work closely with a professorial advisor or mentor to develop an original research question.
This research question will form the basis of your dissertation—an ongoing project designed to address this research question through applied research. While you will work closely with your advisor or mentor, much of your dissertation will be rooted in independent research. This is especially true for students pursuing an online PhD.
Upon completion of the written portion of your dissertation—which will typically present the findings from your original research project—you will be expected to defend your findings. This “oral defense” will typically be conducted by a commission of professors and experts in your field. PhD candidates in some online degree programs may be able to conduct this defense via teleconferencing.
Some online Ph.D programs will also include a teaching component, which will require you to work as an adjunct professor or teacher’s assistant in an undergraduate or graduate school. It may be possible for students in the online doctoral degree program to also serve teaching requirements by instructing online students.
Key Point: The online PhD is a research-focused degree. Your dissertation will be a central part of your online doctoral degree program.
The PhD is generally considered a terminal degree at most research universities and in most fields. This means that students who complete credible online doctoral programs in their field are generally eligible for top positions and opportunities in their field. These opportunities, and the pay scale, may differ from one field to the next.
That said, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that, in 2021, working professionals with a PhD earned more per week than other Americans in every educational demographic. According to the BLS, the median weekly earning for graduate students with a doctoral degree was $1909. By contrast, those with a master’s degree earned a weekly median of $1574, while bachelor’s degree holders earned a median of $1334.
These higher earnings are reflective of the rarified professional opportunities that await those with a PhD in their field. Working professionals who earn an accredited online doctorate may be eligible to work in the following areas.
Key Point: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students with a doctorate will earn more than graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Technically, a PhD is a type of doctorate degree. This means that all online PhD candidates are doctoral students. By contrast, not all doctoral students are PhD candidates.
The primary distinction is that doctoral students are primarily focused on putting existing theories into practice. Depending on your chosen field, your online doctoral degree may require participation in an educational leadership program, engagement in clinical practice, work as a resident in a nursing program, and much more.
By contrast, online PhD students are focused on creating new knowledge in their area of study. This usually means that online PhD candidates are focused on introducing new theories, creating research projects around these theories, and presenting new findings that demonstrate a mastery of existing knowledge and the insight to introduce new ideas into the field.
Today, more working professionals than ever before are pursuing both online doctoral degrees and online Phd programs.
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
13%
Graduation
92%
Student body
38K
Median SAT/ACT
1435/32
University of Southern California’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Plan to pursue career opportunities in the Los Angeles area. Some estimates identify USC as the largest employer in the region as well as a top contributor to the labor market.
Are seeking a more intimate academic experience. USC is a massive school in an urban environment.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
64%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/25
University of Arizona’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Enjoy college athletics. The Arizona Wildcats have won numerous championships across various Pac-12 Conference sports.
Prefer an intimate college experience.
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
50%
Graduation
84%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1360/31
George Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are interested in fields like political science, law, and civics. Its location in the U.S. capital makes GW a prime destination for these areas of study.
Don’t wish to attend college in an urban environment. GW is immersed directly in the city of Washington D.C.
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
37%
Graduation
83%
Student body
41K
Median SAT/ACT
1285/29
Florida State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are looking to participate in campus activities, Greek life, and sporting event attendance.
Prefer a more intimate college experience.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
73%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/26
University of Missouri’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are looking for lots of options. With more than 300 degree programs, University of Missouri is excellent for students with an undeclared major.
Don’t wish to live on a large campus. Students at University of Missouri note that many classes take place in large lecture halls.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
72%
Student body
35K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/27
University of Alabama’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Enjoy a strong athletics program. The University of Alabama Crimson Tide enjoy a heated cross-state rivalry with the Tigers of Auburn University.
Prefer a more intimate learning environment. University of Alabama is noted for the size of its student body, the scope of its academic offerings, and the expansiveness of its campus facilities.
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
68%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/25
University of Kentucky’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are looking to get involved. Students who attend the University of Kentucky praise the extremely wide variety of clubs, activities, and on-campus events.
Are looking for a quiet, intimate campus. Students note that Greek life and sporting events are a major part of the culture at this large institution.
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
82%
Student body
18K
Baylor University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are seeking a beautiful campus with thoughtful architecture. Students describe Baylor’s main campus as warm and welcoming.
Have financial constraints. Baylor University is a comparatively costly private institution.
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
85%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1300/29
Clemson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Enjoy college athletics. Clemson’s Tigers enjoy an enormous cultural presence both on campus and in the surrounding region.
Are looking for a college in a lively area. Clemson is located in the foothills of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, but this also means that the university is a two hour drive from the nearest city.
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
72%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/28
Loyola University Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Wish to attend a college immersed in the bustling metropolitan city of Chicago.
Have financial constraints. Students at Loyola note that even with the school’s often generous financial aid packages and scholarships, the high cost of tuition and the high cost of living can be challenging.
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
70%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/26
University of Arkansas’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are interested in a highly social campus with affordable in-state tuition. Students note that the university offers a welcoming campus culture with a wide range of clubs and activities to choose from.
Don’t enjoy a good walk. Students at University of Arkansas point out that the campus is actually quite hilly, which can make getting around a bit more challenging at times.
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
66%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/25
University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Enjoy an excellent college sports tradition. The school’s Cornhuskers compete in the Big Ten Conference and the men’s football team claims five national titles.
Are seeking an intimate campus experience. With more than 19,000 undergraduates, and roughly 5000 graduate students, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is organized into nine separate colleges across three campuses.
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
67%
Student body
49K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/26
Florida International University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Like to get the best bang for their buck. FIU ranks tops in the state for “performance funding.”
Prefer a small campus and an intimate learning experience.
Tuition + fees
$52K
Acceptance
54%
Graduation
83%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/28
Texas Christian University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are hoping to get involved with Greek Life. Students note that sororities and fraternities play a big role in shaping campus culture at TCU.
Have financial constraints. Students at the private institution note that tuition is high and rising at TCU. This can place an education at TCU out of reach for some candidates.
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
78%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/25
Duquesne University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Enjoy small classes and one-on-one engagement from professors. Students note that Duquesne offers the balance of an intimate campus in an urban environment.
Do not align with the Catholic tradition of faith. Some students note that the culture, rules, and academics reflect a Catholic affiliation.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
63%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/24
Texas Tech University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Like a college with strong school spirit. Students repeatedly note that the school spirit is a major feature of campus life, which can make Texas Tech feel like one big community.
Are looking for a small campus. Like a lot of other things in Texas, Texas Tech is a sprawling campus. Students note that the sheer distance of walking between classes can sometimes be exhausting.
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
68%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/24
Virginia Commonwealth University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are seeking a culturally enriching campus experience. Students describe VCU as a community that embraces the arts, activism, and diversity.
Are seeking a more enveloping campus. VCU is situated in the city of Richmond, which can make the campus feel less immersive.
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
62%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1209/26
University of Alabama at Birmingham’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Want balance between big city life and a small town feel. Students describe the campus and surrounding Birmingham as offering a safe community in a vibrant urban setting.
Are seeking a broad selection of on-campus activities. Some students describe options as limited in this area.
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
69%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/26
University of Massachusetts Lowell’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are looking to get involved in campus life. Students note that there are many clubs and activities to choose from and that the campus is both welcoming and social.
Plan to commute to campus by car. Students routinely voice concerns over the lack of convenient parking and the limitations of on-campus transportation.
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
61%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/23
Nova Southeastern University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Are still deciding on their discipline. Nova Southeastern offers more than 150 graduate and undergraduate degrees across 14 colleges.
Have financial constraints. Some students note that even with financial aid, the cost of attendance remains comparatively high.