Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2025

Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2025
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

There are 11 HBCU doctoral programs online, offered by 8 HBCUs. Online doctoral programs extend the greater mission of America’s HBCU beyond their local communities and prepare the next generation of leaders, educators, and healthcare professionals. Find an Online doctoral program from an HBCU you know and trust.

Key Takeaways

  • America’s HBCU prepare the next generation of leaders and educators.
  • A growing number of HBCU’s provides fully online doctoral degrees and remained dedicated to providing excellent academics. .
  • Clark Atlanta University continues to be a leader among HBCU’s in higher education.

Top HBCU Doctoral Programs Online in 2025

  1. Clark Atlanta University
    +1
  2. Winston-Salem State University
    +5
  3. Hampton University
    –2
  4. Morgan State University
  5. Tennessee State University
    –2
  6. Virginia State University
  7. Alcorn State University
    –2
  8. Kentucky State University

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, some shuffling took place in the top ten HBCU Doctoral Programs. Winston-Salem State University was a standout performer, gaining six places. They were able to do this by introducing new academic programs in high-demand fields like cybersecurity and data science, as well as expanded internship and career placement services. The university has also upgraded its campus facilities, including modernized residence halls and state-of-the-art technology labs. Additionally, WSSU has increased its investment in student support services, particularly around mental health and wellness, and strengthened its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Featured Programs

The Best HBCU Doctoral Programs Online

  1. #1

    Clark Atlanta University

    Atlanta , GA
    #2 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #10 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2025 #3 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $25K

    Acceptance

    56%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1000/18

    Career Outlook for degree at Clark Atlanta University

    Cost of Degree: $21,156
    Expenses: $17,230
    Starting Salary: $38,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Doctoral Program

    EdD Higher Education Leadership

    Concentrations

    • Educational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 12-18 months
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Winston-Salem State University

    Winston-Salem , NC
    #3 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in North Carolina 2025 #6 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    940/16

    Career Outlook for degree at Winston-Salem State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,206
    Expenses: $16,666
    Starting Salary: $37,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Doctoral Program

    DPT in Doctor Of Physical Therapy
    • Required Credits: 24
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online

    Winston-Salem State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Bachelor Of Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Birth To Kindergarten Education
    • Clinical Laboratory Science
    • Required Credits: 120-126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BIS in Bachelor Of Interdisciplinary Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Integrative Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Rn-Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  3. #3

    Hampton University

    Hampton , VA
    #4 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #8 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2025 #4 Best Small Colleges in Virginia 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Hampton University

    Cost of Degree: $13,134
    Expenses: $16,886
    Starting Salary: $50,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Doctoral Programs

    PhD in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 81
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    PhD in Educational Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    PhD in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 54-60
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    PhD in Counselor Education And Supervision
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online

    Hampton University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Systems Organization And Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Safety Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Religious Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • 1 Year Accelerated
    • 2 Year Accelerated
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    Morgan State University

    Baltimore , MD
    #6 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #18 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    970/18

    Career Outlook for degree at Morgan State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,819
    Expenses: $18,320
    Starting Salary: $42,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Doctoral Programs

    EdD in Community College Leadership
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: 3 years
    • Format: Online

    Morgan State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Cloud Computing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Applied Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  6. #5

    Tennessee State University

    Nashville , TN
    #5 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #8 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at Tennessee State University

    Cost of Degree: $11,092
    Expenses: $17,300
    Starting Salary: $39,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Doctoral Programs

    EdD in Education

    Concentrations

    • Pre-K - 12 Administration
    • Higher Education Leadership
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online

    Tennessee State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Health Information Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Utilizing Technologies in Healthcare Organizations
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Professional Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Health Administration
    • Information Technology
    • International Organizational Leadership
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Work
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  7. #6

    Virginia State University

    Petersburg , VA
    #10 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #19 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Virginia 2025 #5 Best Small Colleges in Virginia 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    930/15

    Career Outlook for degree at Virginia State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,841
    Expenses: $17,906
    Starting Salary: $38,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Doctoral Program

    EdD in Educational Administration And Supervision
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online

    Virginia State University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  8. #7

    Alcorn State University

    Alcorn State , MS
    #13 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #21 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2025 #6 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1009/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Alcorn State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,263
    Expenses: $15,195
    Starting Salary: $35,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Doctoral Program

    DNP in Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online

    Alcorn State University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 122-124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Child Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  9. #8

    Kentucky State University

    Frankfort , KY
    #15 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #4 Best Small Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #7 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    880/17

    Career Outlook for degree at Kentucky State University

    Cost of Degree: $11,034
    Expenses: $12,513
    Starting Salary: $31,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Doctoral Program

    DNP in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 72
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online

    Kentucky State University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school

Related HBCU Online Program Rankings

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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