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.

Subject

Level

University type

Location

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Universities 204 Programs 736 Scholarships 0

625PhD / Doctorate

#1,112 in United States United States

Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Biomedical Science

Lincoln Memorial University — The Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Biomedical Science at Lincoln Memorial University is designed for those who aspire to advance knowledge in veterinary science throu...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

626PhD / Doctorate

#1,118 in United States United States

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

St. Ambrose University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

627PhD / Doctorate

#1,118 in United States United States

Doctor of Physical Therapy

St. Ambrose University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Science

View program → About the university

628PhD / Doctorate

#1,119 in United States United States

Doctorate of Education

Saint Edward's University — The Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) program at Saint Edward's University is designed for those aspiring to develop advanced competencies in educational leadership and rese...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

629PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

DBA - Doctor of Business Administration

Capella University — The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at Capella University is designed for individuals seeking to advance their careers in business leadership and contribute to th...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

630PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

DHA - Health Administration

Capella University — The PhD in Health Administration at Capella University is designed to prepare students for advanced roles in the dynamic healthcare sector. This program covers a comprehe...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

631PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

DIT - Doctor of Information Technology

Capella University — The Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) program at Capella University is designed for professionals who aspire to lead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. This doc...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Computer Science & IT

View program → About the university

632PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

Capella University — The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Capella University is designed to advance the knowledge and skills of nursing professionals who are seeking to enhance the...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

633PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

DSW - Doctor of Social Work

Capella University — The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Capella University is designed for professionals looking to advance their careers and leadership skills in the field of social work. Th...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

634PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

DrPH - Doctor of Public Health

Capella University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

635PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

EdD - Doctor of Education

Capella University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Education

View program → About the university

636PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

EdS in School Psychology

Capella University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

637PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

PhD in Behavior Analysis

Capella University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

638PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

PhD in Psychology

Capella University — The PhD in Psychology at Capella University offers a comprehensive and rigorous program designed for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of psychological pr...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

639PhD / Doctorate

#1,154 in United States United States

PsyD in Clinical Psychology

Capella University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

640PhD / Doctorate

#1,157 in United States United States

Physical Therapy

Franklin Pierce University — The PhD in Physical Therapy at Franklin Pierce University provides an in-depth exploration of advanced clinical practices, research methodologies, and innovative rehabili...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

641PhD / Doctorate

#1,174 in United States United States

Social Work

Our Lady of the Lake University — The PhD in Social Work at Our Lady of the Lake University is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of social welfare systems, social justice, and...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

OnlineMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

642PhD / Doctorate

#1,174 in United States United States

Social Work - PhD Online

Our Lady of the Lake University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

643PhD / Doctorate

#1,174 in United States United States

Speech-Language Pathology Doctorate

Our Lady of the Lake University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Languages & Linguistics

View program → About the university

644PhD / Doctorate

#1,175 in United States United States

Doctor of Nursing Practice

St. Thomas University (FL) — The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at St. Thomas University is designed to advance nursing practice and leadership in healthcare settings. This program emphasiz...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

645PhD / Doctorate

#1,175 in United States United States

Nursing

St. Thomas University (FL) — The PhD in Nursing at St. Thomas University is designed for those aiming to advance their expertise and contribute to the field of nursing through research and education....

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

646PhD / Doctorate

#1,182 in United States United States

Doctor of Education

Northwestern State University — The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is designed for educational leaders seeking to advance their careers and make impact...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

647PhD / Doctorate

#1,182 in United States United States

Doctor of Education

Northwestern State University — The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) at Northwestern State University is designed for education professionals who aspire to advance their careers and become leaders in the fie...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

648PhD / Doctorate

#1,182 in United States United States

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Northwestern State University — The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana prepares advanced practice nurses for leadership roles in clinical settings. This progr...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

Programs at other levels

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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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