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

121PhD / Doctorate

QS World #467 #104 in United States United States

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences

University of Alaska - Fairbanks — The Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks prepares students for advanced research and academic careers focused on the complexities of biologi...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Biology

View program → About the university

122PhD / Doctorate

QS World #467 #104 in United States United States

Ph.D. in Computer Science

University of Alaska - Fairbanks — Program OverviewThe Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is designed for students who aspire to push the boundaries of knowledge in computer sc...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Computer Science

View program → About the university

123PhD / Doctorate

QS World #467 #104 in United States United States

Ph.D. in Psychology

University of Alaska - Fairbanks — The Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks offers an intensive curriculum designed for students who are eager to advance knowledge in psychological res...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Psychology

View program → About the university

124PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Aeronautical Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Aeronautical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute delves deep into the principles of flight, focusing on advanced design and analysis of aircraft an...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

125PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Biochemistry and Biophysics

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD program in Biochemistry and Biophysics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers an in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms that govern biological proce...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Life Sciences

View program → About the university

126PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Biology

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers an exceptional opportunity for students to delve deep into biological sciences, fostering a strong understan...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Life Sciences

View program → About the university

127PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Biomedical Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute provides an advanced education blending engineering principles with biomedical sciences to tackle he...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

128PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Chemical Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD program in Chemical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute provides an in-depth exploration of the subject, merging advanced theoretical concepts with pr...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

129PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Chemistry

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers an in-depth understanding of chemical science, blending theoretical principles with practical research app...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

130PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Civil Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD program in Civil Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is designed for individuals seeking to advance their knowledge and expertise in various areas of...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

131PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Computer Science

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute empowers students to engage in cutting-edge research, delving into crucial areas such as artificial intell...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Computer Science & IT

View program → About the university

132PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Computer and Systems Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Computer and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is designed for students who seek to make significant contributions to the fields of compu...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

133PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers an unparalleled interdisciplinary approach to understanding complex decisi...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

134PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Electrical Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Electrical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an advanced program designed for those seeking to contribute to the field through research and in...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

135PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Environmental Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — Program OverviewThe PhD in Environmental Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers an in-depth exploration of the environmental challenges facing our world t...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

136PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Geology

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Geology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute focuses on advanced research and study in Earth sciences. This program covers a wide range of topics including mine...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

137PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Health Science Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD program in Health Science Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute equips students with the interdisciplinary skills needed to tackle complex health-relate...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Medicine & Health Sciences

View program → About the university

138PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Management

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Management program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a comprehensive curriculum aimed at developing advanced research skills necessary for tackling co...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

139PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Mathematics

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD program in Mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a robust curriculum designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and research skills in va...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

140PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Physics

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers an in-depth exploration of fundamental concepts of physics through rigorous research and advanced coursework...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

141PhD / Doctorate

QS World #545 #125 in United States United States

PhD in Business

CUNY Baruch College — The PhD in Business program at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is designed to prepare students for academic and professional careers in business-related fields through rigo...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

142PhD / Doctorate

QS World #545 #125 in United States United States

PhD in Business

CUNY Baruch College — The PhD in Business at CUNY Baruch College is designed for academically ambitious students seeking to make a significant contribution to the field of business through res...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

143PhD / Doctorate

QS World #545 #134 in United States New York, United States

Anthropology

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — Program OverviewThe PhD in Anthropology at CUNY Graduate School and University Center provides a comprehensive understanding of human cultures, social structures, and the...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

144PhD / Doctorate

QS World #545 #134 in United States New York, United States

Art History

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD in Art History at CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers an in-depth exploration into the historical, cultural, and critical contexts of art across dif...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Arts, Design & Architecture

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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