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

Reset

Universities 204 Programs 736 Scholarships 0

73PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

International Affairs

Georgia Institute of Technology — The PhD in International Affairs at Georgia Institute of Technology provides a rigorous academic framework for understanding the complex dynamics of global issues. This p...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

74PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Mechanical Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology — Overview of the PhD in Mechanical EngineeringThe PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology is designed for students who seek to advance knowledge a...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

75PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Mechanical Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology — The PhD program in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology offers an in-depth study of the principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, a...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

76PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Nuclear Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology — The PhD program in Nuclear Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology prepares students for advanced research, development, and scholarly contributions in the fie...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

77PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Public Policy

Georgia Institute of Technology — The Ph.D. in Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology equips students with the analytical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to address complex public iss...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Economics & Public Policy

View program → About the university

78PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Public Policy

Georgia Institute of Technology — The PhD in Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology equips students with an in-depth understanding of policy analysis, design, and implementation. The program foc...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Economics & Public Policy

View program → About the university

79PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Robotics

Georgia Institute of Technology — The Doctorate in Robotics at Georgia Institute of Technology offers an interdisciplinary approach to research and development in robotics and automation. This program del...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

80PhD / Doctorate

QS World #146 #34 in United States United States

Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy

University of Southern California

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

81PhD / Doctorate

QS World #146 #34 in United States United States

Doctor of Pharmacy/Doctor of Philosophy

University of Southern California

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

82PhD / Doctorate

QS World #146 #34 in United States United States

Doctor of Philosophy

University of Southern California

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

View program → About the university

83PhD / Doctorate

QS World #146 #34 in United States United States

Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Public Health

University of Southern California

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

84PhD / Doctorate

QS World #146 #34 in United States United States

Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Public Policy

University of Southern California

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Economics & Public Policy

View program → About the university

85PhD / Doctorate

QS World #236 #54 in United States United States

Clinical Psychology

University of Rochester — The PhD in Clinical Psychology program at the University of Rochester is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of psychological theories, resear...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

86PhD / Doctorate

QS World #236 #54 in United States United States

Operations Management

University of Rochester — The PhD in Operations Management at the University of Rochester is designed to equip students with cutting-edge analytical skills and frameworks necessary for managing co...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

87PhD / Doctorate

QS World #247 #55 in United States United States

Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences

University of Massachusetts at Amherst — The PhD program in Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is designed to equip students with the cutting-edge skills a...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

88PhD / Doctorate

QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Astrophysics

Vanderbilt University — The PhD program in Astrophysics at Vanderbilt University offers an intensive curriculum designed to equip students with both theoretical and practical understanding of th...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

89PhD / Doctorate

QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Audiology

Vanderbilt University — The PhD program in Audiology at Vanderbilt University is a rigorous and comprehensive course designed to prepare students for advanced research and clinical practice in t...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

90PhD / Doctorate

QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Biochemistry

Vanderbilt University — The PhD in Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University is an interdisciplinary program that delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes. Students will...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Life Sciences

View program → About the university

91PhD / Doctorate

QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Cancer Biology

Vanderbilt University — The PhD program in Cancer Biology at Vanderbilt University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of cancer. The curricu...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Life Sciences

View program → About the university

92PhD / Doctorate

QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Cell and Developmental Biology

Vanderbilt University — The PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology at Vanderbilt University delves into the intricacies of how cells function and develop, alongside the mechanisms that regulate t...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Life Sciences

View program → About the university

93PhD / Doctorate

QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Chemical and Physical Biology

Vanderbilt University — The PhD in Chemical and Physical Biology at Vanderbilt University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the biological processes at the mo...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Life Sciences

View program → About the university

94PhD / Doctorate

QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Community Research and Action (Ph.D.)

Vanderbilt University — The Ph.D. in Community Research and Action at Vanderbilt University is designed for those who are passionate about addressing the complex social issues affecting communit...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

95PhD / Doctorate

QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Education Policy and Leadership (Ph.D.)

Vanderbilt University — The Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership at Vanderbilt University provides an in-depth exploration of educational systems, policies, and the role of leadership in sha...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

96PhD / Doctorate

QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Educational Leadership and Policy (Ed.D.)

Vanderbilt University — The Educational Leadership and Policy Doctorate (Ed.D.) program at Vanderbilt University is designed for individuals aspiring to become leaders in education. This program...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

Programs at other levels

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

Browse by subject

Business & Management Engineering Computer Science & IT Medicine & Health Sciences Social Sciences & Psychology Education Science Life Sciences

Popular collections

Bachelor's Programs Social Sciences & Psychology Programs Business & Management Programs Medicine & Health Sciences Programs Master's Programs Education Programs Bachelor's Social Sciences & Psychology Programs Engineering Programs Computer Science & IT Programs Bachelor's Business & Management Programs

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).

Get your destination country university & scholarship updates

New scholarships, application deadlines and admission guides — a couple of emails a month, no spam.