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

697PhD / Doctorate

#1,614 in United States United States

Doctor of Psychoanalysis (PsyaD)

Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis — The Doctor of Psychoanalysis (PsyaD) at Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis is a comprehensive program designed for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

698PhD / Doctorate

#1,614 in United States United States

Hybrid Accelerated PsyaD for Certified Analysts

Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis — The Hybrid Accelerated PsyD for Certified Analysts at Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis is a groundbreaking program designed for aspiring psychoanalysts seeking to...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

BlendedMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

699PhD / Doctorate

#1,650 in United States United States

Doctor of Nursing Program

Coker College

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

700PhD / Doctorate

#1,659 in United States United States

Doctor of Business Administration

Berkshire Community College

PhD / DoctorateLevel

3 to 5 yearsDuration

Part TimeMode

October 2026Intake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

701PhD / Doctorate

#1,684 in United States United States

Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change

Tiffin University — The Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change at Tiffin University is designed for those who aspire to become transformative leaders in diverse global contexts. The program f...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

OnlineMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

702PhD / Doctorate

#1,693 in United States United States

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Post Graduate

Allen College — The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Allen College is designed for nurses seeking to advance their practice and leadership skills in a clinical setting. The program em...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

703PhD / Doctorate

#1,693 in United States United States

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Allen College — The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at Allen College is designed to equip students with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the dynamic f...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

704PhD / Doctorate

#1,693 in United States United States

Education in Health Professions (EdD)

Allen College — The Education in Health Professions (EdD) program at Allen College is designed for professionals who aspire to lead and innovate in the field of health education. This do...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

705PhD / Doctorate

#1,693 in United States United States

Physical Therapy (DPT)

Allen College — The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Allen College is designed to equip students with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of phys...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

BlendedMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

706PhD / Doctorate

#1,709 in United States United States

Business Administration (DBA)

Baker College — The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at Baker College is designed for leaders and professionals who aspire to enhance their knowledge and skills in advance...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

OnlineMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

707PhD / Doctorate

#1,709 in United States United States

Business Administration (DBA-ABD)

Baker College — The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Baker College is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and expertise in the field of business management an...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

OnlineMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

708PhD / Doctorate

#1,709 in United States United States

Educational Leadership (EdD)

Baker College — The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership at Baker College is designed for professionals seeking to advance their careers in educational administration and...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

OnlineMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

709PhD / Doctorate

#1,710 in United States United States

Education Studies

Victor Valley College

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

710PhD / Doctorate

#1,722 in United States United States

PhD in Counselling & Clinical Psychology

Florida Keys Community College

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

711PhD / Doctorate

#1,722 in United States United States

PhD in Environmental Science

Florida Keys Community College

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Agriculture & Environment

View program → About the university

712PhD / Doctorate

#1,726 in United States United States

Doctor of Educational Leadership

Antioch University - Los Angeles

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Mode

—Intake

Education

View program → About the university

713PhD / Doctorate

#1,765 in United States United States

Educational Administration - Doctor of Education (EdD)

California Coast University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

714PhD / Doctorate

#1,765 in United States United States

Educational Psychology - Doctor of Education (EdD)

California Coast University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Education

View program → About the university

715PhD / Doctorate

#1,765 in United States United States

Organizational Leadership - Doctor of Education (EdD)

California Coast University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Education

View program → About the university

716PhD / Doctorate

#1,864 in United States United States

Doctor of Juridical Science / Doctor iuris

College of Eastern Utah — The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) program at the College of Eastern Utah is a prestigious doctoral program designed for legal scholars and practitioners wishing to en...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Law

View program → About the university

717PhD / Doctorate

#1,864 in United States United States

Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science

College of Eastern Utah — The Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science at the College of Eastern Utah offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the mind and its processes. The program...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

718PhD / Doctorate

#1,864 in United States United States

Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Gender Studies

College of Eastern Utah — The Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Gender Studies at the College of Eastern Utah offers an interdisciplinary approach to exploring gender through various lenses, inc...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

719PhD / Doctorate

#1,864 in United States United States

Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative History

College of Eastern Utah — The Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative History at the College of Eastern Utah is designed for students who wish to delve deeply into global narratives and historical con...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

720PhD / Doctorate

#1,864 in United States United States

Doctor of Philosophy in Economics

College of Eastern Utah — The Doctor of Philosophy in Economics at the College of Eastern Utah provides a comprehensive exploration of economic theories, models, and practices essential for advanc...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Economics & Public Policy

View program → About the university

Programs at other levels

Bachelor's Programs Diploma Programs Foundation Programs Master's Programs Professional Programs

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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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