Best Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs 2024
A Ph.D., or doctor of philosophy, is the highest level of academic degree that you can attain. Consisting primarily of research, a Ph.D. prepares you for a career in academia or research in the field you study.
Students who choose to pursue a Ph.D. online will find it can be completed in less time. Online students also get the added benefit of being able to complete their work from the comfort of home. The overall cost may also be less compared to an in-person program.
We’ve compiled a list of the best accredited online Ph.D. programs to help you start your search.
Are Online Ph.D. Programs Worth It?
An online Ph.D. program is an ideal choice if you want to balance your career and family responsibilities along with your education.
While there are some preconceived notions that online programs aren’t legitimate, as long as the program you choose is accredited, the degree is the same as one earned in person.
While the annual tuition cost to earn a Ph.D. online averages $12,394 for a public institution and $26,621 for a private university, doctoral graduates enjoy a lower unemployment rate and higher weekly salary than those with less education, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Did You Know…
- According to the BLS, workers with a doctoral degree earned a median of $651 more per week than workers with a bachelor’s degree in 2022.
- Doctorate-holders boast some of the lowest unemployment rates at 1%.
- In 2019, research found that 39.8% of graduate students were enrolled in online learning.
- The number of doctorates awarded between 2020 and 2021 dropped by 5.4%.
- Not all Ph.D.-holders end up working in academia.
Explore Our Featured Online Doctoral Programs
Top Schools for Online Accredited Ph.D. Programs
How We Rank Schools
Accredited Schools Online uses a custom ranking system to evaluate schools on their quality, affordability, and reputation.
We rank schools using factors like graduation rate, admission rate, tuition costs, financial aid, and program offerings. All our ranked schools hold institutional accreditation.
For this page, we created a directory of online accredited Ph.D. programs that meet our criteria. The list is organized alphabetically rather than ranked.
Learn more about how we create school rankings on our methodology page.
Does Accreditation Matter for Online Ph.D. Programs?
A college is accredited after being recognized by an independent institution that verifies the school’s courses and programs meet set quality standards.
The school you choose must be accredited in order for your Ph.D. to be recognized by employers, earn professional licensures, and qualify you for federal financial aid.
Legitimate accreditors are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
How Much Does an Online Ph.D. Cost?
In general, you can expect to pay around $13,000-$30,000 per year in tuition and fees for your online Ph.D.
Several factors affect how much your Ph.D. program will cost, including:
- Whether the program is fully funded
- Whether your school is public or private
- Whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student
- How long your program lasts (most Ph.D. programs take 5-7 years to complete)
- How much financial aid you get
While many in-person and online doctoral programs in the U.S. are fully funded, these tend to be highly competitive.
One way to save money on your online Ph.D. is to attend a program that offers in-state tuition to residents. Make sure you submit the FAFSA each year so you can secure federal financial aid.
You may also need to budget for occasional travel to and from campus and research sites, especially as you work on your dissertation.
What’s the Difference Between a Ph.D. and a Doctorate?
While a Ph.D. and a doctoral degree, or doctorate, both signify the same level of education completed, their uses are different.
Doctorate is the broader term — a Ph.D. is a type of doctorate. Specifically, a Ph.D. is an academic degree that prepares you for a career in research or teaching in your field of study (such as science, English, or economics).
Besides a Ph.D., other types of doctorates include a doctor of medicine (MD), a doctor of education (Ed.D.), and a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.). These degrees are typically used in either an academic or professional setting.
Online Ph.D. Programs That Don’t Require a Dissertation
A dissertation is a final written project culminating in a student’s original research at the end of their Ph.D. program. A dissertation is typically presented and defended by its author. It’s typically required for degrees with an academic or research focus.
Not all Ph.D. programs require a dissertation. For example, some Ph.D. programs in humanities, education, business administration, and criminal justice require simple or no dissertations for a quicker completion time.
What Jobs Can You Get After Earning an Online Ph.D.?
Once you finish your online doctoral program, you can explore a variety of career paths both within and outside academia.
Many Ph.D. graduates, especially those who studied the humanities, go on to become professors. Other popular roles include administrator, scientist, and psychologist.
Graduates of online Ph.D. programs earn a relatively high average base salary of $105,000 a year, according to Payscale.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2022) | Job Growth Rate (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Political Scientists | $132,350 | 7% |
| Economists | $115,730 | 6% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,460 | 7% |
| Mathematicians | $116,440 | 30% | Statisticians | $104,110 | 30% |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $102,610 | 4% |
| Medical Scientists | $99,980 | 10% |
| Psychologists | $92,740 | 6% |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $82,270 | 8% |
| Epidemiologists | $81,390 | 27% |
| Historians | $72,890 | 3% |
| Anthropologists and Archaeologists | $63,800 | 4% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Ph.D. Programs
What is the quickest Ph.D. to get?
The quickest Ph.D. to earn are those that award professional degrees and don’t require extensive research projects or dissertations at completion. These Ph.D. programs can include accounting, business, education, and media.
To finish your degree faster, you can also look for accelerated programs that quicken the pace of a program and shorten the time it takes to complete.
Are online doctoral programs legit?
If the online doctoral program is accredited, it is legitimate. Accreditation ensures that the program meets the rigorous educational standards of other comparative doctoral programs.
With accreditation, employers and other institutions of higher learning will recognize your degree. As more universities turn toward online programs to serve a more diverse student population, there are a growing number of legitimate, accredited online Ph.D. programs.
How long are online Ph.D. programs?
Online Ph.D. programs, like any other doctoral program, can vary in length but typically take 5-7 years to complete. A doctoral degree balances coursework with research. Usually, students must meet a certain number of course requirements before they can start original research.
While coursework may take only a year or two, writing a dissertation that meets the program requirements varies from candidate to candidate.
Can I earn my Ph.D. entirely online?
Yes, many accredited colleges and universities offer 100% online Ph.D. programs. That said, some programs may require on-campus experiences, such as library research and a dissertation defense.
What do employers think of online doctoral programs?
It takes a high level of discipline and persistence to obtain a graduate degree, no matter the context. Most employers will recognize and value the hard work it takes to get a Ph.D., whether you completed your doctorate online or in person.
Make sure you research potential programs. If you’re attending an accredited, well-regarded school, employers will value your online Ph.D. just as much as a traditional one.
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Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed November 20, 2023.