Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs 2025
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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 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.
To help find the best online Ph.D. program for you, we’ve compiled a list of accredited colleges that offer a wide selection of online doctoral programs.
Accredited Online Ph.D. Programs 2025
To be included in our list below, schools had to be nonprofit, hold institutional accreditation, and offer at least five online Ph.D. programs. These schools are unranked and listed alphabetically.
Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School
Capitol Technology University is a small private university offering 37 online Ph.D. programs. Popular programs include computer science, engineering management, and astronautical engineering. Capitol also has unique Ph.D. programs like space cybersecurity and quantum computing.
Highlights
- Has no requirements for on-campus classes or residences for most of its online Ph.D. programs
- Offers discounts for active and retired military, as well as full-time high school and community college faculty and staff
- Provides personalized support, including academic advising, career services, and technical help
Know Before You Apply
- Some programs, like the Ph.D. in business analytics, require an annual residency and other types of in-person attendance.
- It's possible to enroll in the technology combination MS/Ph.D. program with an undergraduate degree; others need at least a master's to enroll.
- In-State$25,830
- Out-of-state$25,830
- In-State$11,340
- Out-of-state$11,340
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled823
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Mississippi State University
- Mississippi State, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School
Mississippi State University offers 13 online Ph.D. programs. Degrees in high-demand fields include computer science and engineering. MSU also offers a Ph.D. in plant and soil sciences with concentrations in agronomy, weed science, or horticulture.
Highlights
- Provides tuition waivers for senior citizens in Mississippi
- Offers in-state tuition rates for all online Ph.D. students
- Has three application windows throughout the year: fall, spring, and summer
Know Before You Apply
- Some programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last four semesters of undergraduate work; others require a 3.5.
- International students must take the TOEFL and score over 550 to be eligible for admission.
- Prospective students can take an online readiness assessment on MSU's website to determine their readiness for online learning.
- In-State$9,248
- Out-of-state$25,294
- In-State$9,398
- Out-of-state$25,444
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled22,657
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Online
Why We Chose This School
Nova Southeastern University is a medium-sized private university with eight online Ph.D. programs. Criminal justice, health sciences, and nursing are among the most popular choices. More unique options include cybersecurity management and conflict analysis and resolution.
Highlights
- Offers $220 million in scholarships to graduate students
- Provides the flexibility to earn a Ph.D. while continuing to work
- Partners with employers who offer discounted tuition to their employees
Know Before You Apply
- Application and start times vary; some only accept applications in the fall, while others have multiple application and start times throughout the year.
- Most programs require some in-person attendance, such as a residency, but some are completely online.
- In-State$34,500
- Out-of-state$34,500
- In-State$22,062
- Out-of-state$22,062
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled20,877
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School
Texas Tech University has 13 fully online Ph.D. programs, primarily in education-related fields such as higher education administration and educational psychology. Texas Tech's noneducational Ph.D. programs include technical communication and rhetoric, systems and engineering management, and personal financial planning.
Highlights
- Offers tracks for STEM, teaching, counseling, psychology, administration, research, and policy
- Has a job placement of almost 100% for graduates from the personal financial planning Ph.D. program
- Provides generous flexibility for some programs, such as the Ph.D. in educational leadership, available for students living abroad
Know Before You Apply
- Some online Ph.D. programs may require campus attendance for a course or activity.
- Coursework and key milestones like the qualifying exam, proposal defense, and final dissertation defense require live, synchronous interaction for some programs.
- Application deadlines vary; some program applications are open year-round, while others open on a limited basis.
- In-State$8,934
- Out-of-state$21,174
- In-State$6,956
- Out-of-state$15,136
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled40,773
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Western Michigan University
- Kalamazoo, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School
Western Michigan University offers eight online Ph.D. programs, six of which are in science education with concentrations in biological sciences, chemistry, geosciences, and more. Other Ph.D. programs include K-12 leadership and evaluation, measurement, and research.
Highlights
- Provides rolling deadlines so students can apply at any time
- Offers chances to join grant-funded research and present findings at conferences
- Charges online students the same tuition per credit hour as in-state students
Know Before You Apply
- Some programs require an overall minimum 3.0 GPA for all post-bachelor's work.
- Certain programs require applicants to submit GRE or TOEFL scores.
- In-State$14,494
- Out-of-state$18,118
- In-State$17,539
- Out-of-state$26,308
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled17,559
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
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 school you attend is nonprofit and accredited, the degree is the same as one earned in person.
While annual graduate tuition and fees average $12,596 for a public institution and $29,931 for a private nonprofit one, 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 $616 more per week than workers with a bachelor’s degree in 2023.
- Doctorate-holders boast one of the lowest unemployment rates at 1.6%.
- 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.
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 if you plan to receive federal financial aid or potentially transfer your credits to a different graduate program. Employers only recognize degrees from accredited schools, and depending on your field, your Ph.D. program may also need to hold specialized accreditation to qualify you for state licensure and/or industry certifications.
Legitimate accreditors are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Find Online Ph.D. Programs in Your Field
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 Ph.D. programs earn a relatively high average base salary of $110,000 a year, according to January 2025 Payscale data.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Political Scientist | $132,350 | 3% |
| Mathematician | $116,440 | 4% |
| Economist | $115,730 | 5% |
| Biochemist or Biophysicist | $107,460 | 9% |
| Statistician | $104,110 | 12% |
| Postsecondary Education Administrator | $102,610 | 3% |
| Medical Scientist | $100,890 | 11% |
| Psychologist | $92,740 | 7% |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $84,380 | 8% |
| Epidemiologist | $81,390 | 19% |
| Historian | $72,890 | 6% |
| Anthropologist or Archaeologist | $63,800 | 8% |
