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

145PhD / Doctorate

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

Biochemistry

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD in Biochemistry at CUNY Graduate School and University Center is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and research skills...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Life Sciences

View program → About the university

146PhD / Doctorate

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

Biology

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD in Biology at CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers a rigorous academic program designed to equip students with advanced knowledge in the field of bio...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Life Sciences

View program → About the university

147PhD / Doctorate

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

Business

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — Overview of the PhD in Business The PhD in Business at CUNY Graduate School and University Center is a rigorous program designed for those who aim to attain an advanced u...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

148PhD / Doctorate

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

Chemistry

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in Chemistry at the CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers a rigorous and comprehensive approach to advanced study in the field of chemistry. S...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

149PhD / Doctorate

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

Computer Science

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in Computer Science at CUNY Graduate School and University Center is designed to prepare students for advanced research and scholarship in various areas o...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Computer Science & IT

View program → About the university

150PhD / Doctorate

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

Criminal Justice

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in Criminal Justice at CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers a comprehensive exploration of the criminal justice system, including its complex...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Law

View program → About the university

151PhD / Doctorate

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

Earth and Environmental Sciences

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in Earth and Environmental Sciences at CUNY Graduate School and University Center provides a comprehensive and rigorous education in the study of Earth's...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Agriculture & Environment

View program → About the university

152PhD / Doctorate

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

Economics

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in Economics at CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers an in-depth exploration of economic theory and its practical applications. This program...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Economics & Public Policy

View program → About the university

153PhD / Doctorate

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

Educational Psychology

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD in Educational Psychology at CUNY Graduate School and University Center provides an in-depth exploration of the psychological principles that underpin the educati...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

154PhD / Doctorate

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

English

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in English at the CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers an intensive and comprehensive exploration of literary studies, critical theory, and m...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Languages & Linguistics

View program → About the university

155PhD / Doctorate

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

French

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The Ph.D. program in French at CUNY Graduate School and University Center is designed for those who wish to deeply explore French literature, culture, and language within...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Languages & Linguistics

View program → About the university

156PhD / Doctorate

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

History

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in History at CUNY Graduate School and University Center provides an extensive and rigorous exploration into various historical periods, methodologies, an...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

157PhD / Doctorate

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

Latin American, Iberian, and Latino Cultures

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in Latin American, Iberian, and Latino Cultures at CUNY Graduate School and University Center explores the rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and histo...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Languages & Linguistics

View program → About the university

158PhD / Doctorate

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

Mathematics

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD in Mathematics at CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers an in-depth exploration of the core areas of mathematics, including algebra, analysis, geometr...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

159PhD / Doctorate

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

Neuroscience

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in Neuroscience at CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers a rigorous training environment for students to explore the complexities of the nervo...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Life Sciences

View program → About the university

160PhD / Doctorate

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

Physics

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The Ph.D. program in Physics at the CUNY Graduate School and University Center is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental and advan...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Science

View program → About the university

161PhD / Doctorate

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

Psychology

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD in Psychology at CUNY Graduate School and University Center provides a comprehensive study of human behavior, mental processes, and the various factors that influ...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

162PhD / Doctorate

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

Social Welfare

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD in Social Welfare at CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers an advanced scholarly approach to societal issues and the mechanisms of social services. Th...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

163PhD / Doctorate

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

Sociology

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — Course OverviewThe PhD in Sociology at CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers an intensive curriculum designed to explore the complexities of social behavior,...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Social Sciences & Psychology

View program → About the university

164PhD / Doctorate

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

Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD program in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at CUNY Graduate School and University Center is designed for individuals seeking advanced knowledge and research skil...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Languages & Linguistics

View program → About the university

165PhD / Doctorate

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

Theatre and Performance

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The PhD in Theatre and Performance at CUNY Graduate School and University Center offers a unique opportunity for students to delve into the artistic, cultural, and histor...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

166PhD / Doctorate

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

Urban Education

CUNY Graduate School and University Center — The Urban Education PhD program at CUNY Graduate School and University Center is designed to explore the complexities of education in urban environments. This multidiscip...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Education

View program → About the university

167PhD / Doctorate

QS World #574 #155 in United States United States

Adult Education and Human Resource Development (Ed.D.)

Florida International University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Business & Management

View program → About the university

168PhD / Doctorate

QS World #574 #155 in United States United States

Architecture

Florida International University — The PhD in Architecture at Florida International University offers a comprehensive examination of architectural design, theory, and research methodologies. This program i...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Arts, Design & Architecture

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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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).

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