CU
#471 in United States United States
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.
SC
#472 in United States United States
Ph.D in Social Work
Smith College — Overview of the Ph.D. in Social WorkThe Ph.D. in Social Work at Smith College offers an advanced academic framework for students seeking to enhance their understanding of...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Social Sciences & Psychology
CG
#475 in United States United States
Cultural Studies
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in Cultural Studies at Claremont Graduate University is designed to explore the intricate relationship between culture, society, and power. This interdisciplinary...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Social Sciences & Psychology
CG
#475 in United States United States
K12 Education & Equity
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in K12 Education & Equity at Claremont Graduate University is designed for individuals committed to advancing educational equity and social justice in K-12 settin...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
BlendedMode
FallIntake
Education
CG
#475 in United States United States
PhD in Education
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in Education at Claremont Graduate University is designed to develop scholar-leaders who are not only passionate about education but are also equipped with the ne...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
BlendedMode
FallIntake
Education
CG
#475 in United States United States
PhD in English
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in English at Claremont Graduate University offers a profound exploration of literature, cultural studies, and critical theory. This program is designed for those...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Languages & Linguistics
CG
#475 in United States United States
PhD in History
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in History at Claremont Graduate University is designed for students who wish to engage deeply with historical analysis and research. This program emphasizes a co...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Arts, Design & Architecture
CG
#475 in United States United States
PhD in Information Systems & Technology
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in Information Systems & Technology at Claremont Graduate University is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of complex technological systems and...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Computer Science & IT
CG
#475 in United States United States
PhD in Management (AACSB Accredited)
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in Management at Claremont Graduate University is designed for individuals aiming to lead and innovate within the field of management. This rigorous program cover...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
BlendedMode
FallIntake
Business & Management
CG
#475 in United States United States
PhD in Musicology
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in Musicology at Claremont Graduate University offers an in-depth exploration of music as a fundamental aspect of human culture. This program encompasses a divers...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Music & Performing Arts
CG
#475 in United States United States
PhD in Political Science
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in Political Science at Claremont Graduate University offers a comprehensive examination of political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and p...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Social Sciences & Psychology
CG
#475 in United States United States
PhD in Psychology
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in Psychology at Claremont Graduate University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of psychological theory and research methodologi...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Social Sciences & Psychology
CG
#475 in United States United States
PhD in Religion
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in Religion at Claremont Graduate University offers an in-depth exploration of religious traditions, beliefs, and practices through a multifaceted lens. Students...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Social Sciences & Psychology
CG
#475 in United States United States
Urban Leadership
Claremont Graduate University — The PhD in Urban Leadership at Claremont Graduate University is designed for those who aspire to lead in urban settings, addressing complex challenges that cities face to...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Economics & Public Policy
MM
#499 in United States United States
Ph.D. Biomedical Data Science
Meharry Medical College — The Ph.D. in Biomedical Data Science program at Meharry Medical College equips students with advanced knowledge and skills in the analysis of complex biomedical data. Thi...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
OnlineMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
MM
#499 in United States United States
Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Meharry Medical College — The Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at Meharry Medical College is designed to foster a deep understanding of the biological and medical sciences through rigorous research an...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
MM
#499 in United States United States
Ph.D. Data Science
Meharry Medical College — The Ph.D. in Data Science at Meharry Medical College provides a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between data analytics, machine learning, and medical resear...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
OnlineMode
FallIntake
Computer Science & IT
MM
#499 in United States United States
Ph.D. Global Health Equity
Meharry Medical College — The Ph.D. in Global Health Equity at Meharry Medical College is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of health disparities and the social determi...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
MM
#499 in United States United States
Ph.D. Health Law, Policy, and Management
Meharry Medical College — The Ph.D. in Health Law, Policy, and Management at Meharry Medical College is an advanced program designed for individuals seeking extensive knowledge and skills in healt...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Business & Management
MS
#504 in United States United States
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Missouri State University — The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program at Missouri State University-Springfield is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses for the comp...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
MS
#504 in United States United States
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Missouri State University — The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program at Missouri State University is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to provide high-level c...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
CS
#518 in United States United States
Educational Leadership Doctorate
California State University, Sacramento
PhD / DoctorateLevel
—Duration
Full TimeMode
—Intake
Education
PS
#525 in United States United States
Advanced Practice Nursing
Pittsburg State University — The PhD in Advanced Practice Nursing at Pittsburg State University offers an in-depth exploration of the nursing profession, emphasizing research, clinical practice, and...
PhD / DoctorateLevel
4–6 yearsDuration
Full TimeMode
FallIntake
Medicine & Health Sciences
NY
#533 in United States United States
Engineering PhD
New York Institute of Technology
PhD / DoctorateLevel
—Duration
Full TimeMode
—Intake
Engineering
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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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