Best Schools with Online PhD Programs: List of Top Schools

There are several excellent universities across the United States that offer online PhD programs. We've listed some of our top choices below in alphabetical order.

1. Capitol Technology University

Capitol Technology University is a private university in Maryland just outside of Washington, D.C. It was originally founded in 1927.

The university is classified as having a special focus in engineering, but it also has degrees in business and education.

There are currently 34 online PhD programs offered by Capitol Tech. These include PhDs in:

• artificial intelligence
• counterterrorism
• space operations
• sustainability

2. Clemson University

Known for its school color of vibrant orange, Clemson University is a public university in Clemson, SC.

The university was founded in 1889 and is the second-largest university in the state. It averages around 25,000 students a year.

Clemson University currently offers seven online PhDs, as well as doctoral degrees in education and nursing.

Some of the online PhD programs available include:

• healthcare genetics and genomics
• literacy, language, and culture
• parks, recreation, and tourism management
• rhetorics, communication, and information design

3. George Washington University

George Washington University (GWU) is a private, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. It offers several online doctoral programs.

The university was chartered in 1821 and has over 300,000 alumni including J. Edgar Hoover, Jaqueline Kennedy, and Brian Williams.

Students at George Washington can earn PhDs online but also doctorates in education, engineering, law, medicine, and more.

The online PhD programs available at GWU include:

• nursing
• public health
• systems engineering
• translational health

4. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, MD. It's well known for its teaching hospital.

The university was founded in 1876 and includes a variety of alumni like Virginia Apgar, Wolf Blitzer, Wes Craven, and Woodrow Wilson.

The majority of Johns Hopkins' online programs are for nurse practitioners, but there are a few PhD programs available as well. These include:

• education
• mechanical engineering
• public health

5. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University is a public research university based in Lubbock, TX. It was founded in 1923 and is the flagship university of the Texas Tech University System.

Over 200,000 alumni have graduated from Texas Tech, and about 40,000 students are enrolled every year. The graduation rate is just above 60%.

Texas Tech offers PhDs as well as doctorates in education. Many of the online PhD programs are also education-focused.

Online PhD programs at Texas Tech include:

• curriculum and instruction
• educational leadership policy
• systems and engineering management
• technical communication and rhetoric

6. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, FL. It's one of the oldest and largest universities in the State University System of Florida.

The university was founded in 1853 and enrolls about 60,000 students each year. Its alumni include notable athletes, actors, and politicians.

Most of the university's online doctoral programs are in education, but it does offer two online PhD programs. One is in classical civilization, and the other in Latin and Roman studies.

7. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri is a public school system in Missouri. It's flagship university, nicknamed Miszzou, is based in Columbia.

Aside from Mizzou, there are three other institutions: the University of Missouri–Kansas City, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

The University of Missouri system offers PhDs in addition to doctorates in nursing practice and occupational therapy.

Online PhD programs available include:

• agricultural education
• architectural studies
• information science and learning technologies
• nursing

8. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a public research university based in Grand Forks, ND. It was founded in 1883 before North Dakota was even an official state.

The university is part of the North Dakota University System. Around 14,000 students attend UND annually, and the graduation rate sits at about 60%.

The majority of the university's online degree programs are PhD programs, but it also offers a few online programs in education.

UND offers 15 PhD programs online in a variety of subjects. Fields of study include:

• communications
• engineering
• health
• science