Educads

736 Best PhD Programs in the United States

736 PhD courses are taught at 204 universities in the United States — most run 4–6 years. Courses from Princeton University, University of California, Berkeley and Georgia Institute of Technology come first, because those universities rank highest.

409PhD / Doctorate
WS Wichita State University logo
#399 in United States United States

Aerospace Engineering

Wichita State University — The PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Wichita State University prepares students for advanced research and leadership roles in the aerospace industry. This rigorous program...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Engineering
410PhD / Doctorate
WS Wichita State University logo
#399 in United States United States

Biomedical Engineering

Wichita State University — The PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Wichita State University prepares students for a research-focused career in areas such as medical devices, biomaterials, and tissue e...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
411PhD / Doctorate
SU Southern University and A&M College logo
#403 in United States United States

Ph.D. in Public Policy

Southern University and A&M College — The Ph.D. in Public Policy program at Southern University and A & M College is designed for those who aspire to engage in high-level research, policy analysis, and academ...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Economics & Public Policy
412PhD / Doctorate
SU Southern University and A&M College logo
#403 in United States United States

Ph.D. in Public Policy

Southern University and A&M College — The Ph.D. in Public Policy at Southern University and A&M College is designed to equip students with the analytical tools and theoretical frameworks necessary to address...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Economics & Public Policy
413PhD / Doctorate
TC Texas Christian University logo
#406 in United States United States

Curriculum Studies

Texas Christian University — The PhD in Curriculum Studies at Texas Christian University is designed to deeply explore the theories, practices, and complexities of curriculum development and implemen...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Education
414PhD / Doctorate
TC Texas Christian University logo
#406 in United States United States

DNP-to-Ph.D. in Nursing

Texas Christian University — The DNP-to-Ph.D. in Nursing program at Texas Christian University is designed for practicing nurses who have already earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
415PhD / Doctorate
UC University of Colorado at Colorado Springs logo
#413 in United States United States

Educational Leadership, Research, and Policy

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs — The PhD in Educational Leadership, Research, and Policy at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs prepares students to excel in leadership roles within educationa...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Education
416PhD / Doctorate
UC University of Colorado at Colorado Springs logo
#413 in United States United States

Engineering

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs — The PhD in Engineering at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) is designed to cultivate advanced knowledge and research skills in various engineering dis...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Engineering
417PhD / Doctorate
CM Central Michigan University logo
#415 in United States United States

Applied Experimental Psychology

Central Michigan University — The PhD in Applied Experimental Psychology at Central Michigan University offers an immersive exploration into the psychological principles that influence human behavior....

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Social Sciences & Psychology
418PhD / Doctorate
UN University of New Haven logo
#442 in United States United States

Criminal Justice

University of New Haven — The Doctorate in Criminal Justice at the University of New Haven offers a comprehensive exploration into the criminal justice system, preparing students for advanced rese...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Criminal Law
419PhD / Doctorate
UN University of New Haven logo
#442 in United States United States

Engineering and Applied Science

University of New Haven — The PhD in Engineering and Applied Science at the University of New Haven is designed for those who seek to advance their knowledge and expertise in the multidisciplinary...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Engineering
420PhD / Doctorate
MS Morehouse School of Medicine logo
#449 in United States United States

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences

Morehouse School of Medicine — The Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences program at Morehouse School of Medicine equips students with advanced knowledge and research skills in the biomedical fiel...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
421PhD / Doctorate
NC North Carolina A&T State University logo
#451 in United States United States

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

North Carolina A&T State University — The PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina A & T State University offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of agriculture and the envir...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
nullDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Agriculture & Environment
422PhD / Doctorate
NC North Carolina A&T State University logo
#451 in United States United States

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

North Carolina A&T State University — The PhD program in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University delves into advanced studies focused on enhancing agricultural practices...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
nullDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Agriculture & Environment
423PhD / Doctorate
NC North Carolina A&T State University logo
#451 in United States United States

Applied Science and Technology

North Carolina A&T State University — The PhD in Applied Science and Technology at North Carolina A & T State University is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and research skills in scientific...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
nullDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Science
424PhD / Doctorate
NC North Carolina A&T State University logo
#451 in United States United States

Applied Science and Technology

North Carolina A&T State University — The PhD program in Applied Science and Technology at North Carolina A&T State University is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and research skills in the...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
nullDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Science
425PhD / Doctorate
NC North Carolina A&T State University logo
#451 in United States United States

Computational Data Science and Engineering

North Carolina A&T State University — The PhD in Computational Data Science and Engineering at North Carolina A & T State University is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in computa...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
nullDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Engineering
426PhD / Doctorate
NC North Carolina A&T State University logo
#451 in United States United States

Computational Data Science and Engineering

North Carolina A&T State University — The PhD in Computational Data Science and Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University is designed for students to engage in advanced interdisciplinary research tha...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
nullDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Engineering
427PhD / Doctorate
NC North Carolina A&T State University logo
#451 in United States United States

Computer Science

North Carolina A&T State University — The PhD in Computer Science at North Carolina A&T State University delves deep into advanced topics in computing, preparing students for substantial contributions to acad...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
nullDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Computer Science & IT
428PhD / Doctorate
GS Georgia Southern University logo
#458 in United States United States

Applied Computing (PhD)

Georgia Southern University — The PhD in Applied Computing at Georgia Southern University offers a comprehensive exploration of advanced computing principles through a blend of theoretical foundations...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Computer Science & IT
429PhD / Doctorate
GS Georgia Southern University logo
#458 in United States United States

Biomedical Sciences (PhD)

Georgia Southern University — The PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Georgia Southern University provides a comprehensive and rigorous education that prepares students for advanced research in the biomedic...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
430PhD / Doctorate
KS Kennesaw State University logo
#465 in United States United States

Biomedical Sciences

Kennesaw State University — The PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Kennesaw State University is designed to equip students with a robust understanding of the biological and medical sciences through an in...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
431PhD / Doctorate
SD South Dakota School of Mines and Technology logo
#467 in United States United States

Chemical & Biological Sciences

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology — The PhD in Chemical & Biological Sciences at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology prepares students for advanced research and development careers in the rapidl...

PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Life Sciences

How these courses are ranked

18 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #15 (Princeton University) to #575 (University of South Carolina); they are listed first, in that order. The rest are ordered by research impact. University of California, Berkeley has the largest research record in this group, with 58,388,527 citations and an h-index of 1,903. 10 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Inside the course list

The most common subjects are Medicine & Health Sciences (151), Education (93), Engineering (85) and Social Sciences & Psychology (80). The usual length is 4–6 years and null. 94% are full-time and 32 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (0% of courses with a stated intake). New Mexico State University offers the widest choice, with 29 of these courses.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best university in the United States for PhD?

Princeton University (QS World #15), University of California, Berkeley (QS World #28) and Georgia Institute of Technology (QS World #123) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for PhD in the United States?

Of those with published fees, Universidad del Sagrado Corazon is the least expensive at about USD 6,410 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How long does a PhD course take in the United States?

Most listed courses run 4–6 years, with null the next most common.

When do PhD courses start in the United States?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Can I study PhD online with a university in the United States?

32 of these courses are listed as online.

Which university has the most PhD courses in the United States?

New Mexico State University, with 29, ahead of National University (29).

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