best education phd programs in us

• Future Students
• Current Students
• Faculty/Staff

Programs & Degrees

• Programs & Degrees Home
• Master's
• Undergraduate
• Professional Learning
• Student Voices

You are here

Doctoral programs.

The goal of the GSE PhD in Education is to prepare the next generation of leading education researchers. The cornerstone of the doctoral experience at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is the research apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well.

In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a multi-year funding package that consists of opportunities each quarter to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the courses they take as part of their program, students are prepared over an approximately five-year period to excel as university teachers and education researchers.

The doctoral degree in Education at the GSE includes doctoral program requirements as well as a specialization, as listed below, overseen by a faculty committee from one of the GSE's three academic areas.

Doctoral programs by academic area

Curriculum studies and teacher education (cte).

• ‌ Elementary Education
• ‌ History/Social Science Education
• ‌ Learning Sciences and Technology Design
• ‌ Literacy, Language, and English Education
• ‌ Mathematics Education
• ‌ Science, Engineering and Technology Education
• ‌ Race, Inequality, and Language in Education
• ‌ Teacher Education

Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS)

• ‌ Developmental and Psychological Sciences

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education (SHIPS)

• ‌ Anthropology of Education
• ‌ Economics of Education
• ‌ Education Data Science
• ‌ ‌Educational Linguistics
• ‌ Educational Policy
• ‌ Higher Education
• ‌ History of Education
• ‌ International Comparative Education
• ‌ Organizational Studies
• ‌ Philosophy of Education
• ‌ Sociology of Education

Cross-area specializations

Learning sciences and technology design (lstd).

LSTD allows doctoral students to study learning sciences and technology design within the context of their primary program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Race, Inequality, and Language in Education (RILE)

RILE trains students to become national leaders in conducting research on how race, inequality, and language intersect to make both ineffective and effective educational opportunities. RILE allows students to specialize within their program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Other academic opportunities

• ‌ Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies
• ‌ PhD Minor in Education
• ‌ Stanford Doctoral Training Program in Leadership for System-wide Inclusive Education (LSIE)
• ‌ Certificate Program in Partnership Research in Education
• ‌ Public Scholarship Collaborative

“I came to Stanford to work with faculty who value learning in informal settings and who are working to understand and design for it.”

Doctoral graduates were employed within four months of graduation

of those employed worked in organizations or roles related to education

For more information about GSE admissions and to see upcoming events and appointments:

To learn more about the Office of Academic Affairs:

Stanford Graduate School of Education

482 Galvez Mall Stanford, CA 94305-3096 Tel: (650) 723-2109

• Contact Admissions
• GSE Leadership
• Site Feedback
• Web Accessibility
• Career Resources
• Faculty Open Positions
• Explore Courses
• Academic Calendar
• Office of the Registrar
• Cubberley Library
• StanfordWho
• StanfordYou

Improving lives through learning

• Stanford Home
• Maps & Directions
• Search Stanford
• Emergency Info
• Terms of Use
• Non-Discrimination
• Accessibility

© Stanford University , Stanford , California 94305 .

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

The Johns Hopkins School of Education’s full-time PhD program offers an individually tailored learning experience based on a student’s interest in finding solutions to pressing education problems. Select applicants receive full tuition and a stipend.

The School of Education will pause admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD) program for the 2025-26 academic year while we add several programmatic improvements. The next intake for admission to the PhD program will be for students who want to matriculate in the Fall 2026 semester. The online application will open in August 2025 to begin accepting submissions, and the application completion deadline will be December 16, 2025. Please complete our Request for Information Form to receive updates and announcements for the next admission period.

The program provides rigorous interdisciplinary training that develops students’ abilities to conduct evidence-based research on real-world educational challenges. Instruction and mentorship emphasizes the development and evaluation of policies and practices that address real-world educational problems.

Students benefit from a one-to-one apprenticeship model that pairs exceptional interdisciplinary candidates with nationally acclaimed faculty mentors, along with engaging coursework, sophisticated methodological training, and cohort-based learning.

Questions? Please reach out and we’ll be in touch soon.

Learn about our PhD students.

Upcoming Admissions Events

Have questions about our degree programs, the application, or financial aid and costs? Join us for an inside look at a graduate experience defined by innovation and driven by evidence-based research. Learn more about your area of interest or career path, meet some of our faculty, and connect to the Johns Hopkins School of Education community. Check out our admissions events and register for a virtual information session today.

Applied Behavior Analysis Info Session

Counseling Program Info Session

International Teaching & Global Leadership Alumni Panel

Core Faculty

Jennifer adams, phd.

Associate Professor Director, International Teaching and Global Leadership

Affiliation

Innovative Teaching & Leadership

International Teaching & Global Leadership

Robert Balfanz, PhD

Professor Co-Director, Center for Social Organization of Schools

Center for Social Organization of Schools, SOE Leadership

Education Policy & Politics, Research, Evaluation & Assessment, Social Context of Education

Ashley Rogers Berner, PhD

Associate Professor Director, Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy

Institute for Education Policy, SOE Leadership

Curriculum Studies, Education Policy & Politics, Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Rebecca Cruz, PhD

Assistant Professor

Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, Innovative Teaching & Leadership

Education Policy & Politics, Social Context of Education, Special Education

Marcia Davis, PhD

Associate Professor (Research) Co-Director, Center for Social Organization of Schools Director of Research, Baltimore Education Research Consortium

Learning & Instruction, Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Norma L. Day-Vines, PhD

Counseling & Educational Studies

Counseling & Human Development

Hunter Gehlbach, PhD

Professor Faculty Lead, PhD Program

Advanced Studies in Education

Learning & Instruction, Measurement & Research Methodologies

Odis Johnson, Jr., PhD

Bloomberg Distinguished Professor Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Safe and Healthy Schools Director, Institute in Critical Quantitative, Computational, and Mixed Methodologies

Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, SOE Leadership

Education Policy & Politics, Measurement & Research Methodologies, Social Context of Education

Richard Lofton, PhD

Center for Safe and Healthy Schools

Education Policy & Politics, Social Context of Education

Douglas J. Mac Iver, PhD

Center for Social Organization of Schools

Curriculum Studies, Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Martha Abele Mac Iver, PhD

Associate Professor Associate Dean of Research

Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Olivia Marcucci, PhD

Advanced Studies in Education, Center for Safe and Healthy Schools

Social Context of Education

Ebony McGee, PhD

Counseling & Human Development, Postsecondary Education, Social Context of Education, Urban Education

Stephen Morgan, PhD

Bloomberg Distinguished Professor

Measurement & Research Methodologies, Social Context of Education

Jonathan Plucker, PhD

Research Professor Faculty Lead, Master of Science in Education Policy

Education Policy & Politics, Gifted Education, Learning & Instruction

Eric Rice, PhD

Social Context of Education, Urban Education

Joshua C. Schuschke, PhD

Educational Technology

Alexandra Shelton, PhD

Learning & Instruction, Special Education

Angela R. Watson, PhD

Assistant Research Professor

Institute for Education Policy

Education Policy & Politics

Program Overview

With its goal of pursuing big ideas and sharing knowledge to address real-world challenges, Johns Hopkins University takes pride in its founding mission as the U.S.’s first research university. The full-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education at the Johns Hopkins School of Education embraces that tradition. We offer a world-class, research-focused program that prepares exceptional scholars to investigate and develop policies and practices that improve educational outcomes from pre-K through secondary school and beyond.

Students draw insights from different disciplines (e.g., educational psychology, learning sciences, sociology of education), synthesizing their knowledge to craft multidisciplinary, evidence-based approaches to address educational policies and practices — particularly those that can improve outcomes for historically underserved populations. Immersion in modern research methods — advanced statistical techniques, open science approaches, and data science — facilitates students’ capacities to argue for research-based educational reforms.

Students benefit from the mentorship of nationally acclaimed researchers in an apprenticeship model as well as collaborative learning opportunities from courses, research groups, and their cohort. Our graduates go on to careers in higher education as professors, policymakers, and influential scholars at research-intensive universities, institutes, and centers.

All PhD students at the School of Education are eligible for a fellowship for up to four years. The fellowship includes a yearly stipend and will cover tuition and fees. The fellowship also covers individual health, dental, and vision insurance. All PhD students must be registered full time and be in good academic standing every semester to continue to be eligible for their fellowship.

Through our PhD program, students acquire cutting-edge research skills that position them for tenure-track faculty positions in higher education, policymaking roles with state agencies or school systems, and leadership positions in educational research organizations.

• Research and Post Secondary Teaching
• University Professor
• University Researcher
• Policy Analyst

“ What set my experience apart was the chance to work with remarkable mentors who are not only impactful researchers in the field, but also genuinely care about me as a person.

The Ph.D. in Education is an interdisciplinary doctoral program that combines advances in the social sciences, sciences, arts, and humanities with deep expertise in educational research, policy, and practice to train students for careers as academics, researchers, policymakers, and leaders who will improve educational outcomes in the United States and around the world. Ph.D. candidates will collaborate with faculty from across Harvard graduate and professional schools and conduct groundbreaking research — forging new fields of inquiry that will transform education practice and policy.  Candidates for the Ph.D. in Education choose from among three concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; or Human Development, Learning and Teaching.

All Ph.D.s are granted through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

EdDPrograms.org

25 Best Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs

Learn more about admission requirements and doctorate in education specializations & coursework. And ask yourself the hard questions about earning an Ed.D. before you apply for program in your area.

Updated with 2024 Rankings on March 1, 2024

What is a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)?

A Doctor of Education is a practice-based, research-driven qualification that will prepare you for leadership roles within your school or organization. During this terminal degree, you’ll often be exploring topics such as educational leadership, effective learning strategies, curriculum design, educational policy, organizational management, and more. Before you even graduate, you’ll be able to apply this newfound knowledge to real-life challenges in your workplace.

Because of its popularity, Schools of Education now offer scores of career-focused Ed.D. specializations. For example:

• A teacher might opt to major in Curriculum and Instruction.
• An education administrator or aspiring superintendent might choose Educational Leadership.
• A college or university professional might land on a specialization in Higher Education.
• A nursing director, military officer, or business executive might be interested in Organizational Leadership.

Explore the detailed descriptions in our on-campus & hybrid rankings to learn more about how each program is structured.

Best Ed.D. Rankings: On-Campus & Hybrid

You may have seen a number of “Best Ed.D.” lists elsewhere in the metaverse. So what are the unique ingredients that go into the rankings of our Top 25 Doctor of Education programs?

• First, we analyzed Times Higher Education (THE) & U.S. News and World Report rankings for graduate education programs, including rankings in specific fields (e.g. higher education administration).
• Using Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data, we factored student completion rates into our algorithm.
• We also made sure to include data on acceptance rates and earnings for education doctorate graduates from each school.
• Finally, we considered positive signals across these categories. Schools that only did well in one area didn’t necessarily make our rankings. Instead, schools that did well across the board earned the highest scores.

As you’ll discover, we’re highlighting doctorates that are on-campus or hybrid. These innovative programs often combine weekly evening or weekend coursework with summer residencies. Anyone looking to compare virtual options can browse through our separate rankings of the Best Online Ed.D. Programs in the USA.

How Our Placements Changed in 2024

Our Best Ed.D. rankings had a facelift in 2024! Although the big-name players still dominate our top 10, they’ve been joined by even more schools with a history of positive student outcomes, CAEP accreditation, and membership in the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) . Here are a few highlights from our profiles:

• Even though it offers only one Doctor of Education, Harvard has muscled aside the other Ivies and climbed to #1 this year.
• Experienced CPED members like Texas A&M University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Denver have joined our rankings!
• Hybrid learning is gradually replacing 100% campus instruction—just be aware that you’ll still need to commute to class.
• Schools of Education are freshening up their offerings. UCLA now puts more of an emphasis on social justice; Michigan State has an unusual new program for higher education professionals.
• Many schools have been dropping niche programs and focusing more on leadership majors.

We’ve also modified our profiles to give you a better sense of the school’s strengths in research, outreach, and subject matter. Urban leadership, national educational policy, AI & technology integration, race research, higher education initiatives—whatever you’re interested in, there is a superb Ed.D. program to match.

Top Schools with Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs

25 university of southern california.

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Multiple Concentrations)

Why Choose USC’s Ed.D. Program?

It’s a name—a big name. The USC Rossier School of Education is a juggernaut in the Los Angeles area. In addition to founding Ednovate in 2012, it has developed long-running partnerships & programs with the Los Angeles Unified School District. It’s strong on equity-focused higher education , urban issues, and education psychology research. It receives outstanding reviews from graduate students. And it’s now collaborating with the USC Institute for Creative Technologies and Army University on the AI Research Center of Excellence for Education . The only big downside is the price.

Ed.D. Offerings at USC

Los Angeles educators in USC’s cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (EDL) can choose to focus on one of 4 concentrations: Educational Psychology, Higher Education Administration, K-12 Leadership in Urban Education or Leading Instructional Change. Classes are weekly & evening-based and all applicants are automatically considered for limited, merit-based scholarships of $10,000.

Check the concentration descriptions to learn more about the Dissertation in Practice (DiP)—they vary in format. For example, Higher Education Ed.D. and K-12 Leadership students finish with a traditional 5-chapter dissertation. But Educational Psychology students can focus on a design curriculum that addresses an existing problem of practice.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? USC also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

Learn More About the Ed.D. Program:

• USC Rossier School of Education
• Ed.D. Admissions
• Ed.D. Tuition

24 University of Denver

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
• Ed.D. in Higher Education

Why Choose DU’s Ed.D. Program?

DU’s Morgridge College of Education is a quiet overachiever. It’s an Experienced CPED member with an impressive track record in community engagement and an intriguing assortment of faculty research projects . The gung-ho Center for Rural School Health & Education (CRSHE) is currently collaborating with 50+ school districts in Colorado. Morgridge professors are working with Denver Public Schools on initiatives like the Black Student Success (BSS) team and School Psychology Inclusive Rural and Innovative Training (SPIRIT). And in 2023, the Marsico Institute for Early Learning became an official DU Research Institute.

Ed.D. Offerings at DU

The 3-year, cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is geared toward educators with principal, teacher-leadership, or other formal leadership preparation. It’s a CPED-inspired doctorate, so you can expect a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) with field research in Morgridge’s partner schools and districts. There’s also an optional six-credit hour administrator internship for those who are pursuing an Administrative License through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

Your other option at DU is the Ed.D. in Higher Education . This is not a “sit back” doctorate in education—you’ll be expected to consult for Denver-area colleges and universities, tackling a real-life problem of practice in executive leadership and creating an actionable report. Ed.D. students are also encouraged to take part in internships, present at conferences, and collaborate with professors on projects. View the higher education faculty profiles to explore their research interests.

• Morgridge College of Education

23 University of Central Florida

• Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Why Choose UCF’s Ed.D. Program?

Commitment. That’s the word for UCF’s College of Community Innovation & Education (CCIE) . Not only does the CCIE support a Holmes Scholars program for underrepresented Ed.D. & Ph.D. students, it won the 2024 Outstanding Holmes Program award from the AACTE. We applaud it for supporting research centers on literacy, students with disabilities, and virtual technologies. But we particularly love the fact that the UCF Center for Community Schools champions a holistic model of improvement that involves collaboration between a school district, a community-based nonprofit, a healthcare provider, and UCF. In October 2023, the Center got a $3.9 million funding boost from Florida’s legislature.

Ed.D. Offerings at UCF

UCF’s high-flying Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is available in two concentrations: the 63-credit Higher Education track and the 3-year, 54-credit Executive track for PK-12 professionals. Higher Education students will emerge with a traditional dissertation. Executive Ed.D. students tackle a Dissertation in Practice/field project report that focuses on a complex problem in an education organization.

Alternatively, you could consider the Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (or it’s online counterpart ). You’ll be able to select a 12-credit specialization in a wide range of disciplines—including Instructional Design and Technology, Educational Psychology, TESOL, Reading Education, and more. And you’ll be challenged to complete a 3-credit Laboratory of Practice/field-based experience and a Dissertation in Practice (DiP).

• College of Community Innovation & Education (CCIE)

22 Georgia State University

Why choose georgia state’s ed.d. program.

If you live anywhere near Atlanta, you’ll already know about the College of Education & Human Development . The College has been producing star-quality teachers for decades—more than 90% end up in the Metro Atlanta area and more than 85% are employed in urban high need schools. But it’s also big enough and prestigious enough to have received $29.8 million in funding in 2023 for its research & outreach initiatives . It fosters centers in urban educational excellence and principalship . It funds Ph.D. students through the Dean’s Research Doctoral Fellowship . And it supports a massive alumni network .

Ed.D. Offerings at Georgia State

Senior-level administrators in the PreK-20 arena will find Georgia State’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership can be adapted to most any situation. Concentrations include Advanced Leadership, Higher Education, and Tier II for Georgia educators. The program hits all the major bases, including central office leadership, and it includes a unique dissertation. After choosing a current issue in educational leadership policy and/or practice, Ed.D. students will be expected to create a literature review and research paper for publication in professional journals.

Aspiring instructional leaders and curriculum specialists in Georgia also have the option to pursue the cohort-based Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction in almost any K-12 subject imaginable! We’re particularly pleased that this doctorate includes a school-based residency requirement, professional engagement activities (e.g. conference presentations), study abroad opportunities, and the chance to add the curriculum and instruction certificate Service Level 7 to your résumé.

• College of Education & Human Development

21 University of Illinois Chicago

• Ed.D. in Urban Education Leadership

Why Choose UIC’s Ed.D. Program?

UIC is one of our top picks for urban educators! The College of Education has an abiding commitment to African American & Latine education and community engagement . It has a highly active & award-winning Center for Urban Education Leadership (CUEL) that’s helping to transform Chicago Public Schools (CPS). It offers scores of rigorous Ph.D. programs. And it’s putting educational leaders to work. 1 out of every 11 CPS principals prepared for their job at UIC. Take a look at the section on recent research grants to learn more about Ed.D. faculty interests. A number of their projects involve wide-scale leadership & policy issues.

Ed.D. Offerings at UIC

The flagship program at UIC is the cohort-based Ed.D. in Urban Education Leadership , designed for aspiring and current school principals. After the first 1.5 years of coursework and supervised practicum experiences, you’ll be eligible to apply for the Illinois Principal Endorsement. After another 2.5-3 years and a culminating capstone, you’ll have a doctorate that has been recognized as an Exemplary Educational Leadership Preparation Program by the UCEA. You may even wish to add on a few courses to earn the Illinois Superintendent Endorsement. This is a competitive program, so get your ducks in a row before applying.

• College of Education

20 University of Pittsburgh

• View All Hybrid Ed.D. Degrees

Why Choose Pitt’s Ed.D. Program?

Connections! Pitt’s School of Education has a global alumni network of 32,000+ educators and a vibrant calendar of networking events for graduate students. Pitt is also an excellent pick if you’re involved in inner city leadership and Black education in Pennsylvania. The Center for Urban Education (CUE) has been active since 2003 and it hosts an educator forum every summer. Take a moment to investigate the Practices of Freedom Project and the PittEd Justice Collective . The Collective has spearheaded efforts such as the Higher Education and Racism Initiative (HEAR), which enables graduate students to publish research on institutional anti-racism in colleges and universities.

Ed.D. Offerings at Pitt

Another bonus? Pitt’s 3-year Hybrid Ed.D. Program is available in a dizzying array of topics, including majors in Education Leadership, Higher Education, and Urban Education. All Ed.D. students participate in a full-day campus orientation, a one-week campus experience, online coursework, and monthly visits to the campus (usually on Saturdays).

Although each major is different, the plan of study is guided by improvement science and applied research—Pitt has been a CPED member since 2010. You’ll also take part in a Laboratory of Practice and complete a Dissertation in Practice (DiP). The Lab is available as a job-embedded, aspirant, or global studies experience.

• School of Education

19 Texas A&M University – College Station

• Ed.D. in Educational Administration: PK-12 Educational Leadership

Why Choose TAMU’s Ed.D. Program?

You’ll be among heady company when you choose TAMU’s School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) for your doctorate! 25% of its students are first generation and almost a quarter are Latino. It’s a particularly strong pick for educators in multilingual settings. The School supports research centers in urban schools, technology-infused learning, and dual language & literacy acquisition. It’s invested in programs like the Project Enhancing Quality Teacher Preparation Through Research-based Instructional Best Practices for Bilingual and English Learners (EBEST) . And it has thousands of alumni working in Texas schools.

Ed.D. Offerings at TAMU

Aspiring school leaders who live in Texas should apply for the Ed.D. in Educational Administration: PK-12 Educational Leadership . This cohort-based, weekend program fulfills the requirements for Superintendent Certification in the state of Texas and meets State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) standards for the superintendent certificate. For your final project, you can tackle a district analysis/redesign, a set of journal-ready articles, or a traditional dissertation.

• School of Education & Human Development

18 Pennsylvania State University – Main Campus

• Ed.D. in Comparative and International Education (CIED)
• Ed.D. in Higher Education (HIED)
• Ed.D. in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education

Why Choose Penn State’s Ed.D. Program?

A global outlook on education. Unique dual degrees. A firm commitment to social equity . These are just three of the reasons Penn State’s College of Education should be on your shortlist. We’re deeply impressed by the sheer variety of faculty projects and the work being done in the College’s many research centers & institutes . From civil rights and educational disparities to rural education and adult literacy, Penn State scholars are involved in nearly every aspect of learning. The College supports a Humphrey Fellowship for international mid-career professionals. It offers plenty of graduate scholarships . And it runs an alumni mentoring program . What’s not to like?

Ed.D. Offerings at Penn State

PreK-12 educators & administrators in Pennsylvania can investigate the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership . It’s a sturdy offering that covers everything from law and policy to organizational theory & practice. You may even wish to take advantage of the Joint Law Degree and Educational Leadership Program . Planning on working overseas? Be sure to consider the Ed.D. in Comparative and International Education . This unusual dual degree explores the analysis & operation of world education systems.

It doesn’t stop at high school! The College of Education also offers an Ed.D. in Higher Education that puts a premium on flexibility—an advisor will work with you to design an individualized program of study. In the Ed.D. in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education , you’ll dig into topics such as family literacy, adult learning theory, and program planning.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? Penn State also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

17 University of Georgia

• View All On-Campus & Hybrid Ed.D. Degrees

Why Choose UGA’s Ed.D. Program?

Engagement is at the heart of UGA’s Mary Frances Early College of Education . The College has invested a great deal into its outreach units and it’s doing some fascinating work in autism research and Latino achievement & success . Check out the currently funded research projects , including deep-dives into STEM topics. Student reviews of the College are glowing. Faculty are often praised for their helpfulness and passion. And diversity is prioritized. In addition to hosting an annual DEI Conference , the College runs a Graduate Students of Color Research Mentoring Program and Holmes Scholar Program for historically underrepresented doctoral students.

Ed.D. Offerings at UGA

School and district administrators in the Georgia area are welcome to explore the 3-year, cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Leadership . This innovative program includes blended coursework, an Advanced Leadership Residency with 750 hours of fieldwork, and an action research dissertation. Teachers even have the option to advance their practice with a doctorate in science education or music education .

Working in the realms of higher education? Consider the 2-year Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Management , with weekend campus intensives, leadership seminars, and an experiential trip abroad. Cohorts begin each January. The College also offers doctoral programs in adult learning and workforce issues & policy , as well as a hands-on Ed.D. in Student Affairs Leadership that features supervised internships and occasional campus meetings.

16 Ohio State University – Main Campus

• Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Educational Administration
• Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA)
• Ed.D. in Kinesiology: Physical Education

Why Choose Ohio State’s Ed.D. Program?

It may not be big, but Ohio State’s College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE) punches above its weight. The College has an abiding commitment to early childhood education ; it even has its own School for Early Learning. Run your eyes down the list of faculty research interests and you’ll also notice strengths in urban education, adolescent & at-risk youth, and social justice. There are multiple opportunities for Ed.D. students to get involved in EHE graduate groups & forums . You may even wish to contribute to the EHE’s Inspire Podcast series.

Ed.D. Offerings at Ohio State

Ohio educators will find two sturdy options in the Department of Educational Studies . The cohort-based Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Educational Administration is built on the department’s P.L.A.C.E. Framework. This 3-year program makes a point of applying “practice, planning, and problem-solving” to real-life issues encountered in professional settings. In contrast, the Ed.D. in Educational Studies: Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) trains mid-career college & university administrators in the skills needed to reform organizations, improve learning, and evaluate teachers.

Unusually, Ohio State also offers an education doctorate in physical education. Current K-12 PE teachers can up their game with the Ed.D. in Kinesiology: Physical Education , offered by the Department of Human Sciences. For the final project, this Ed.D. degree contains a thesis or a non-thesis option.

• College of Education and Human Ecology

15 University of Virginia

• Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision (Hybrid)

Why Choose UVA’s Ed.D. Program?

It’s no wonder that U.S. News and World Report ranks UVA’s School of Education and Human Development as one of the best in the country. It’s keen on community outreach and rich in interdisciplinary research centers & labs . We especially want to highlight its work on the Partnership for Leaders in Education (PLE) initiative. By combining savvy business advice and thoughtful education research, PLE is turning around struggling schools. Over a multi-year timeline, K-12 administrators and teacher leaders learn how to implement system-wide and school changes that are in tune with their community’s needs.

Ed.D. Offerings at UVA

If you’re lucky enough to live in Virginia, UVA has two content-rich & practice-focused Ed.D. programs. In lieu of a dissertation, all Ed.D. students at UVA complete a capstone project. With small cohorts and monthly Saturday meetings, the Hybrid Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision is an ideal choice for the working professional looking to finish a doctorate within 4 years. Or you could consider the innovative and part-time Ed.D. in Higher Education , with service projects and a content minor of your choice.

• School of Education and Human Development

14 Indiana University Bloomington

Why choose iub’s ed.d. program.

IUB isn’t resting on its laurels! The energetic School of Education supports a huge range of undergraduate & graduate programs, backed by 120+ faculty members with interests in everything from art education to Chinese ESL. Browse through the faculty bookshelf to learn more. As an Ed.D. student, you can explore ways to become involved in the School’s global engagement projects, learn from its current research initiatives (e.g. Equity in Action), or help develop its PK-12 outreach . The possibilities are practically endless. If you need a hand in navigating your choices, reach out to graduates. The School has a massive alumni network .

Ed.D. Offerings at IUB

Like many schools, IUB offers a cohort-based Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Leadership —for K-12 leaders and aspiring superintendents who wish to dive deep into senior-level issues—and a similar Ed.D. in Higher Education for college and university administrators. The Educational Leadership program takes ~3 years to complete. Higher education students who are able to identify a dissertation topic by the end of their second year can finish the Ed.D. degree in 3-4 years.

13 The University of Texas at Austin

• Ed.D. in Cooperative Superintendency
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (Hybrid)

Why Choose UT Austin’s Ed.D. Program?

Yes, UT Austin is one of the best public universities in the country. And, sure, the College of Education has outstanding rankings across the board. But what truly impresses us is how much effort they’ve put into improving the lives of students in their state. Half of its research centers & institutes are focused on Texas educational challenges. The College runs the University of Texas at Austin High School Special Purpose District (UTHSD) . It’s using GEAR UP Partnership grants to support college readiness among underrepresented students in Central and Deep East Texas. And it’s advocating for research-driven policy changes.

Ed.D. Offerings at UT Austin

Aspiring superintendents and chief executives in Texas state education agencies should put UT Austin’s cohort-based Cooperative Superintendency Program on their shortlist. This highly-ranked Ed.D. readies leaders for the mercurial world of public education systems. You’ll take classes like School Restructuring & Renewal and School District Functions and complete a Superintendent Practicum. It takes 30 months/2.5 years to complete.

If you’re aiming for executive or high-level administration roles in education, you can apply to the Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership . In this blended doctorate, you’ll learn about technology in education, student success and learning, and policy and governance from a renowned and diverse faculty. Some e-learning components are offered alongside on-campus work.

• Executive Ed.D. Tuition

12 University of Maryland-College Park

• Ed.D. in School System Leadership (Hybrid)

Why Choose UMD’s Ed.D. Program?

Over the years, UMD’s College of Education has been building up a rock-solid reputation for quality. Alumni praise the encouraging advisors, excellent staff, and flexibility of programs for working educators. (Reviews of the Ph.D. programs are not as fulsome.) Thanks to its position as a major research university near Washington, D.C., UMD has plenty of resources available for practice-based investigations. Within its research centers , you’ll find work on urban initiatives and innovation & improvement in public schools. Within the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, you’ll encounter Dr. Sophia Rodriguez and her ImmigrantEdNext lab . The College also hosts a huge number of colloquiums, conferences & events .

Ed.D. Offerings at UMD

UMD’s 3-year doctorate in education is ideal for Maryland K-12 administrators who wish to tackle current school system challenges, collaborate with like-minded peers, and implement system improvement initiatives. Better yet, this Ed.D. is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education for Superintendent II Certification.

The cohort-based Hybrid Ed.D. in School System Leadership is offered in a blended format, with all-day Saturday seminars and online modules. It contains an 8-credit apprenticeship. And—in lieu of a dissertation—it features a real-world capstone project. Bear in mind that you must have Maryland Administrator I Certification or the equivalent to apply.

11 Michigan State University

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Administration (Hybrid)
• Ed.D. in Leadership for Equity-Minded Change in Postsecondary Education

Why Choose MSU’s Ed.D Program?

It’s easy to fall in love with MSU’s College of Education ! It has a superb national reputation . It makes a point of partnering with Michigan schools on outreach programs. And faculty within its Department of Educational Administration (EAD) are refreshingly diverse. MSU is an especially strong pick for educational leaders with STEM and urban interests. The College funds a dynamic Create for STEM Institute and a number of its current research projects revolve around improving math & science literacy. It has also developed an innovative Urban Educators Cohort Program and Urban Immersion Fellowship for teaching students.

Ed.D. Offerings at MSU

The EAD supports two Ed.D. programs. The 3-year Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Administration aims to develop diverse leaders for Michigan schools and community organizations. This CPED-approved program blends face-to-face and online learning with summer intensives. In the third year of the program, group capstone projects bring a team of students face-to-face with a community problem of practice. Ed.D. students will also be prepared to meet the standards for achieving Michigan Central Office Administrator (COA) certification.

In 2024, the EAD launched a new degree—the on-campus and cohort-based Ed.D. in Leadership for Equity-Minded Change in Postsecondary Education for higher education professionals. Over the course of 3 years, students in this program will be able to collaborate together on higher education challenges, complete an individual Dissertation in Practice (DiP), and design & sequence a common 45-credit curriculum. This engaging program is the brainchild of MSU’s Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) unit, supported by the Center for Higher and Adult Education (CHAE) .

10 Boston College

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (PSAP)

Why Choose BC’s Ed.D. Program?

It’s no accident that BC’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development prioritizes holistic learning, equity, and community outreach! Jesuit schools have a long history of thinking beyond the classroom. Skim through the section on centers & initiatives and you’ll find innovative work being done in international higher education, educational policy, equitable instruction, and Catholic education. Follow the breadcrumbs to the section on Urban Outreach Initiatives and you’ll discover details on the School’s work with mental health and K-12 teacher education.

Ed.D. Offerings at BC

BC’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a Professional School Administrator Program (PSAP) for systems-level educational leaders and aspiring superintendents. It’s an on-campus, cohort-based doctorate that’s been shaped by CPED principles and refined through consultation with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) and the Center for Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools (BHELS) at William James College. On a full-time schedule, you can earn this Ed.D. in 3 years.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? BC also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

• Lynch School of Education and Human Development

9 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Why choose uiuc’s ed.d. program.

If you can dream it, UIUC can help you build it. The College of Education has created scores of Ed.D. programs in curriculum & instruction, learning design, language & literacy—the list goes on. In 2023, the College had 70+ tenure-track faculty members (including 30% from underrepresented populations), $74 million in active grants, 1,500+ graduate students, and more than 36,000 alumni. Read the Impact Report and be amazed by the work in AI and embodied & immersive technologies. Pay a visit to the research section and be astounded by the sheer number of centers and faculty-helmed research sites .

Ed.D. Offerings at UIUC

The first place to start is UIUC’s program finder . This will give you an overview of the possibilities. There are plenty of conventional offerings, such as the Hybrid Ed.D. in Educational Administration & Leadership with optional principal or superintendent endorsements. But you may wish to specialize in a field such as diversity & equity and apply a completely fresh way of thinking to your work in P-16 learning environments.

Keep in mind, too, that plans of study & delivery methods will vary widely. For example, students in the on-campus Ed.D. in Higher Education can “build their own” curriculum—only a few research courses are mandatory.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? UIUC also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

8 University of California Berkeley

• Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) Ed.D. (Hybrid)

Why Choose Berkeley’s Ed.D. Program?

Mention the Berkeley School of Education (BSE) to anyone in the world of education and watch their expressions turn to respect. Founded in 1889, this School has seasoned & diverse faculty , abiding research interests in the intersection of technology with education , and a flurry of positive reviews from alumni. It oversees initiatives in literacy & academic talent development. It collaborates with other top-tier California universities on the Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) project. And it’s part of an amazing network of university and community partners called UC-Links . Check out their innovative programs .

Ed.D. Offerings at Berkeley

There is only one Ed.D. offering at Berkeley, but, boy, is it spectacular! The competitive, cohort-based LEAD doctorate only admits 10-12 students every other year. It’s available in a hybrid format, which means you’ll be required to attend a 4-week summer intensive and 20 all-day sessions (14 Saturdays and 6 Fridays) each year. Some—but not all—weekday courses (late afternoon & evening) are available online. You can work full-time while you study.

You’ll follow a 3-year plan of study, tackling 3 core courses each semester in the first year. Berkeley’s innovative doctorate in education also includes research seminars, LEAD field visits, and a dissertation that’s explicitly designed for submission to journals. Graduates of the LEAD program pursue leadership positions in school districts (e.g. superintendent), as well as C-level roles in non-profit leadership, policy, global educational ventures, and more.

• Berkeley School of Education
• LEAD Frequently Asked Questions

7 University of California – Los Angeles

Why choose ucla’s ed.d. program.

Practice, practice, practice—UCLA’s School of Education & Information Studies (ED&IS) has been sounding the drum for real-world research for decades. The School has created a constellation of K-12 Teaching Schools , which act as sites for research-practice partnerships. It has significant stakes in 20+ centers & labs . Plus it’s the home of the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) and its Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP). This is the largest and oldest empirical study of higher education in the country. Be sure to reach out to current Ed.D. students for their opinions—UCLA lists contact info in its student directory .

Ed.D. Offerings at UCLA

Although it tends to focus more on Ph.D. and M.Ed. programs, the Department of Education does offer one education doctorate—the urban-focused Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for PK-16 professionals. This program melds experiential learning and practice. It also contains strong elements of social justice leadership, anti-racism, and diversity. Because of its flexibility, Ed.D. graduates can work in community colleges, universities, school districts, educational associations, and the like.

Wondering how it will fit in your busy schedule? The 3-year doctorate contains classes on Thursday evenings and Saturdays. In the first year, you’ll work to improve your research skills and educational practices—coursework covers topics like education law, policy, and educational enterprises. In the second year, you’ll focus heavily on research, equity-centered leadership and field experiences. The third year includes a dissertation practicum.

• School of Education & Information Studies (ED&IS)

6 University of Washington – Seattle Campus

• Ed.D. in Leadership for Learning (L4L)
• Ed.D. in Teacher Education & Teacher Learning

Why Choose UW’s Ed.D. Program?

UW’s College of Education is small enough to have a friendly feel and large enough to support 125+ faculty and scores of research centers . Better yet, 43% of the College’s students identify as BIPOC and—since 2006—9 alumni have been named Washington State Principal of the Year. We love the fact that graduate students praise the support of advisors and the care that goes into programs. And we celebrate the College’s commitment to outreach. It has developed 300+ partnerships with schools and communities, including unique initiatives such as the District Leadership Design Lab (DL2) .

Ed.D. Offerings at UW

The Ed.D. in Leadership for Learning (L4L) is designed for professionals in K-12 school systems. From summer leadership institutes to a 360-hour internship, this cohort-based Ed.D. degree is designed to be challenging. There will be coursework in equitable systems and inquiry-focused leadership, online learning experiences, and a rigorous capstone. You’ll also have the option of earning Washington State Superintendent or Program Administrator certification.

Or you could consider personalizing your studies with the Ed.D. in Teacher Education & Teacher Learning . This program focuses on the transformation of educational systems and explores enactments of justice from communities, families, youth, and teachers. Doctoral students are allowed to work with UW advisors to create a tailor-made plan of study.

5 Vanderbilt University

• Ed.D. in K-12 and Higher Education Leadership and Policy

Why Choose Vanderbilt’s Ed.D. Program?

Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development has one of the best reputations for education in the country—and it lives up to it. Faculty efforts to advance the fields of leadership & policy are backed by tangible results and initiatives like The Possibilities Project (TPP) . Coursework is evidence-based. And alumni can be found across the country. Be sure to talk to the program coordinator about your professional interests. Peabody has thrown its weight behind all kinds of research centers, including race research & justice and PEER , a research-practice partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Ed.D. Offerings at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt’s Ed.D. programs are housed in the Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations (LPO) . Anyone in the Tennessee area should consider the on-campus Ed.D. in Leadership and Policy . It’s available in a K-12 or Higher Education concentration. For 3 years, you’ll attend courses on Friday evenings and Saturdays, explore the realms of advanced leadership, learning & performance, and collaborate with your cohort. The degree culminates in a year-long capstone project.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? Vanderbilt also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

• Peabody College of Education and Human Development

4 New York University

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
• Ed.D. in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities
• Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration

Why Choose NYU’s Ed.D. Program?

Starry student reviews. A global reputation for excellence. A commitment to holistic learning and interdisciplinary collaborations. That’s why NYU Steinhardt is consistently in the top 5 of our Ed.D. rankings, year after year. Visit the research section and learn more about Steinhardt’s work on equity & transformation in New York City schools. Attend the in-person events or conferences . Read through the bios of education & leadership faculty . Whether you’re on the verge of applying for a directorial position or seeking to advance your career in theatre education, Steinhardt is ready to assist.

Ed.D. Offerings at NYU

Steinhardt offers two in-person doctorates for K-20 educators. The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies is available in a full-time or part-time plan of study, with coursework that covers everything from educational reform to policy analysis. In contrast, the cohort-based Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration is delivered in a 3-year, part-time plan of study. It’s packed with engaging elements, including a 2-week research design workshop and a culminating prospectus & workplace project.

Best of all? Steinhardt offers a unique Ed.D. in Educational Theatre with 4 specializations and all kinds of NYC opportunities. You can take part in NYU’s main-stage productions in the Blackbox Theatre and the historic Provincetown Playhouse, sign up for study abroad programs, and/or attend relevant conferences. Ed.D. scholarships are available.

Note: Looking for a virtual alternative? NYU also appears in our Best Online Ed.D. Rankings!

• NYU Steinhardt

3 Columbia University in the City of New York

• View All Ed.D. Degrees

Why Choose Columbia’s Ed.D. Program?

Columbia’s Teachers College (TC) bills itself is a Graduate School for Education, Health, and Psychology. This explains the interdisciplinary flavor of its research , and its commitment to considering every aspect of learning & development. In fact, over 33% of tenured faculty are psychologists or health educators, lending extra weight to programs such as the Ed.D. in Cognitive Science in Education. If you live in NYC, take a close look at the work being done in urban education and diversity in public schools . The Center for Educational Equity also plays a part in supporting the annual Civic Learning Week.

Ed.D. Offerings at Columbia

When all the Ed.D. concentrations are taken into account, Columbia runs 50+ Doctor of Education programs , easily surpassing the other schools in our rankings. In this top-tier academic candy store, you can have your pick of everything from an Ed.D. in Anthropology and Education to an Ed.D. in Applied Exercise Physiology. Many of these doctorates in education come with certification and non-certification tracks; some feature bilingual extensions.

Aspiring educational leaders may wish to investigate the more conventional offerings in higher & postsecondary education and urban education . The latter is a part-time, cohort-based program that can lead to NYSED School District Leader (SDL) Licensure. Applicants must have a combined 8-12 years of teaching and leadership experience.

• Teachers College

2 University of Pennsylvania

• View All On-Campus & Hybrid Ed.D. Degreees

Why Choose Penn’s Ed.D. Program?

Unlike some public research universities that swallow students in their gaping maw, the Penn Graduate School of Education (GSE) is committed to a personalized experience. The School only has 40 tenured & tenure-track faculty and just over 1,600 students. But small doesn’t mean lazy. Penn is making huge strides in education research . It’s supporting entrepreneurial ventures like Catalyst@Penn . It’s spearheading school partnerships and community engagement activities in Philadelphia. And it’s fostering a global outlook . More than 70% of GSE faculty members are involved in international initiatives.

Ed.D. Offerings at Penn

Penn has created 7 doctorates in education—use the the program finder to narrow down your choices. Mid- to senior-level professionals may wish to pay particular attention to the Mid-Career Ed.D. in Educational Leadership , the Penn Chief Learning Officer Ed.D. and the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management . These programs often blend online courses and monthly weekend meetings with week-long summer sessions.

Prefer a customizable program of study? Explore the part-time Ed.D. in Higher Education , with a whopping 16 electives, and the Ed.D. in Reading, Writing, and Literacy , which will allow you to choose one or more concentrations, including Adult Literacy Education. Penn also offers practice-based doctorates in teaching, learning, and teacher education and educational linguistics.

• Penn Graduate School of Education

1 Harvard University

• Ed.D. in Leadership

Why Choose Harvard’s Ed.D. Program?

Because it’s the best of the best. Put aside the name and instead look at what the Graduate School of Education is doing in the areas of public education leadership, childhood development, and policy research. Learn more about its impact work in areas like climate change and immigration education. Read the latest issue of the Harvard Educational Review (HER) . And take a minute to scroll through the 4- and 5-star student reviews online. Getting into Harvard isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about being part of a world-class Ed.D. experience.

Ed.D. Offerings at Harvard

Whenever you decide to take the reins in school environments, non-profit settings, private companies, or government departments, the Ed.D. in Leadership will be waiting. This full-time, 3-year Ed.D. degree brings together a diverse cohort of 25 students and encourages them to shake up the status quo and translate visionary ideas into successful programs. A full-tuition funding package, stipends, and a paid residency are offered to all students.

In the first two years, you’ll engage with classes such as Thinking Strategically about Education Reform and Practicing Leadership Inside & Out. The third year is consumed by a paid residency, where you’ll work with one of the school’s partner organizations to gain practical experience and make a personal contribution. A strategic project and written capstone go hand-in-hand with the 10-month residency so you can reflect on your successes and challenges.

• Graduate School of Education

How to Choose an Ed.D. Program

Combing through our Best Ed.D. list and other Online Ed.D. rankings can be overwhelming. Here is a list of things to consider when choosing a doctorate in education. Rank them according to your values and priorities.

• Delivery Format: Would you prefer a 100% online, campus-based, or a hybrid Ed.D. degree?
• Program Length: Is the doctorate in education part-time or full-time? Can you fit it into your current work schedule?
• Specializations: Do available Ed.D. concentrations align with your educational and career goals?
• Required Ed.D. Coursework: Are Ed.D. course topics relevant, up-to-date, and applicable to your job?
• Internship & Fieldwork Requirements: Are you interested in supervised leadership experiences?
• Dissertation or Capstone: Would you prefer a traditional, 5-chapter dissertation or a less traditional final project?
• Institutional Reputation: Is your university regionally accredited?
• College of Education & Program Reputation: Does the college hold CAEP accreditation? Is it a member of the CPED ? Does it have a strong research arm?
• Faculty Quality: Are Ed.D. professors currently engaged in the profession? Do their research interests align with yours? Is their experience relevant to your leadership goals?
• Total Cost: Is any internal funding available (e.g. scholarships)? How much do Ed.D. students usually take out in loans? Will you be eligible for a substantial salary bump after graduation?

Ed.D. vs. Ph.D. vs. Ed.S.

There are significant differences between the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) credentials. All of them are advanced degrees, and most require a master’s degree to apply to the program. However:

• Ed.D. The Ed.D. degree sets itself apart from the Ph.D. by focusing on the practical application of knowledge & research, rather than pure theory. Ed.D. programs will contain a traditional dissertation, Dissertation in Practice (DiP), or capstone project.
• Ph.D. in Education: A Ph.D. in Education may have more of a theoretical slant than an Ed.D., with coursework that applies to aspiring professors in academia or research institutions. Ph.D. in Education programs will include a traditional dissertation.
• Ed.S. An Ed.S. typically requires fewer credits than an Ed.D. or Ph.D. — it’s roughly the equivalent of receiving a second master’s degree. It usually does not contain a dissertation.

A Ph.D. in Education and Ed.D. are both research-focused and are—for the most part—considered equivalent degrees. Most institutions simply offer one or the other. That means your choice of program will depend on your career goals.

Pursue an Ed.D. to:

• Become a leader at an educational institution
• Teach courses at the university level (e.g. adjunct professor)
• Get hands-on leadership skills
• Pursue a broader focus on applied research and practical knowledge

Pursue a Ph.D. to:

• Teach education at the university level or become a director of institutional research
• Produce system-wide change
• Understand theories of educational practice
• Conduct rigorous and extensive original research

Pursue an Ed.S. to:

• Create a positive learning environment for students or staff
• Become a school principal, superintendent, or dean
• Focus on developing qualifications for a specific job

Visit our full guides to Ed.D. vs Ph.D. Programs and Ed.S. vs Ed.D. Programs to learn more about the differences and which degree is best for you.

The Ed.D. Admissions Process

An Ed.D. program can be challenging to get into—you’ll need to draw upon all your professional and academic credentials to make it through the admissions process. Ed.D. degrees at well-known schools are highly competitive; even less competitive doctorates in education are intended for well-prepared candidates who have already accomplished a great deal academically. Here’s how to make sure you’re one of those candidates.

Typical Ed.D. Admission Requirements

• Master’s Degree: Ed.D. programs generally require students to have earned at least a master’s degree (or an equivalent number of graduate credits). However, the master’s degree does not necessarily need to be in education. If you already hold an Ed.S. degree, you are often eligible for advanced placement.
• Minimum GPA: Where a minimum GPA is specified, an overall 3.0 (B) or higher is generally preferred.
• Work Experience: If you’ve never worked in the field of education before, it may limit your options. Because the Ed.D. is a practical degree intended for mid-career professionals, at least 3 years of relevant work experience is generally required. This is not always the case—Nova Southeastern University’s Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership is a notable exception—but it’s the norm.
• Letters of Recommendation & Personal Essay: You’re going to need at least two letters of recommendation; most programs also require a personal essay (the format of the personal essay varies widely from program to program). Applicants often treat these two requirements as an afterthought. But in highly competitive programs, the identities of the people writing your letters of recommendation, and the content of your personal essay, can be the most important parts of your application.
• GRE Scores Optional: If you hate the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), we have good news: many Ed.D. programs will accept the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as a substitute for the GRE. Start your research with our convenient list of No GRE Ed.D. programs . You’ll find 77+ schools that do not require the GRE, as well as details on their admission requirements and available program concentrations.

Ed.D. Admissions Interview

In competitive Ed.D. degrees, it is common for the school to conduct an interview with a prospective Ed.D. student prior to accepting an application. This interview is sometimes conducted online.

In most cases, the purpose of the interview is more to check in with the student — verifying the person’s identity and identifying any obvious red flags — rather than a decisive part of the process. But if the Ed.D. program you’re applying for is especially competitive, we recommend you speak to students and alumni to get a sense of what might be expected.

Ed.D. Admissions Essay

For the doctorate in education, some schools also require an admissions essay, though the format can vary. Maryville Ed.D.’s personal statement essay is fairly complex, requiring both a detailed autobiography and a short dissertation proposal, whereas Northern Arizona University merely asks you to provide a writing sample where you summarize an article in your own words. But whether the required admissions essay is simple or complex, it’s likely to be short.

International Student Requirements

In addition to addressing any relevant student visa requirements, international students who have not already demonstrated English fluency must generally earn a good score on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam.

How Ed.D. Admission Requirements Differ Between Schools

There is no single Ed.D. admissions process. All worthwhile Ed.D. degrees will require you to fill out an application and send official transcripts, but beyond that admission requirements differ from program to program:

• Some schools require a Master in Education and some don’t.
• Some schools require prior work experience in the field (e.g. 3 years or more) and some don’t.
• Some schools require a high minimum GPA (e.g. 3.0-3.5) and some don’t.
• Some schools require you to take the GRE and some don’t.
• Some schools require an admissions interview and some don’t.
• Some schools require an admissions essay and some don’t.

Since there are no universally accepted admission requirements, it’s wise to make a shortlist of regionally accredited Ed.D. programs and go from there.

Ed.D. Admissions Checklist

Here’s a simple checklist of what Ed.D. applicants should have in hand before starting the application process. Be sure to check with the specific school for admission requirements.

• Relevant contact information for every university you’ve attended in the past, so that you can have official transcripts sent.
• A résumé that shows the necessary work experience.
• Money for the application fee(s), which typically ranges from free to $100.
• Your GRE, MAT, and/or GMAT score information, if required.
• Your TOEFL and/or IELTS score information, if required.
• Two authorities in the field who are willing to write you letters of recommendation.
• A general idea of what you might write in an admissions essay, if required to do so.

The Doctor of Education: What to Expect

During the course of your Ed.D. degree, you’ll typically be expected to tackle doctoral coursework, internships, and a research-based dissertation, DiP, or capstone project.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Coursework

Classes for the Doctor of Education vary widely by school, which is why we suggest you take a close look at the curriculum before applying. Standard coursework for all doctorates in education will include:

• Qualitative and Quantitative Research
• Writing for Research
• Doctoral Seminar or Capstone
• Dissertation, Doctoral Writing Assessment or “Consulting Project”

Sample Ed.D. Course Titles

Outside of those common denominators, schools will alter the Ed.D. coursework quite a bit. Here are a few real-life examples:

Drexel University has an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in Management with nine specializations and a set of core courses such as:

• Creative Strategies for Educational Leaders
• Educational Leadership and Change
• Transformative Leadership: Finding One’s Source

Mississippi College’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership contains courses such as:

• Comparative Philosophies of Education
• Curriculum Planning and School Improvement
• Instructional Supervision
• Intermediate and Advanced Statistics

University of Southern California (USC) offers a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership with classes like:

• Challenges in Urban Education: Accountability
• Analyzing Organizational Change and Its Effectiveness
• Education Performance Problems
• Fundamentals of Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Ed.D. Concentrations/Specializations

Some schools offer only one Ed.D. specialization/concentration; others offer ten. We’ve assembled some common titles. This is by no means an exhaustive list—there are more specializations than one could imagine!

• Adult Education
• Athletic Administration
• Curriculum Studies
• Curriculum, Teaching, Leadership and Learning
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Leadership and School Change
• Global Executive
• Higher Education Administration
• Human Resource Development
• Information Technology
• Literacy Education
• Organizational Leadership Studies
• Urban and Multicultural Education

Ed.D. Internships

Many Ed.D. programs require that students complete a focused internship. This allows students to combine theory with practical knowledge in a supervised environment. Internships create a situation for students to learn from other professionals, become more effective leaders, and apply the skills they have learned in their coursework.

• For some Ed.D. degrees, like ETSU’s Ed.D. with an Administrative Endorsement , this is a 540-hour requirement. All internships are planned and completed in district offices, schools, and community settings under the guidance of a faculty member.
• UNCW’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Educational Administration) includes one internship and other applied learning experience, as well as multiple certificate options that can be completed during the program.

Internships for a doctorate in education often differ by concentration. For example, an internship at a multinational corporation might be arranged for a global executive specialization, whereas a non-profit internship might be arranged for organizational leadership studies. This is yet one more area for students to look into when researching Ed.D. degrees.

Ed.D. Dissertation, Dissertation in Practice (DiP) or Capstone

All Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programs will contain a large, research-based project. Some Ed.D. degrees opt for a traditional dissertation along the lines of a Ph.D. Other Ed.D. programs contain a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) or capstone project.

Traditional Dissertation

• Doctorates in education that require a traditional dissertation include classes to assist students with each of the steps required to write one (e.g. how to come up with a dissertation topic, how to structure the dissertation, and how to conduct effective research).
• After the dissertation is planned, proposed, and written, the final step is defending it. Typically, an Ed.D. committee will read the student’s dissertation, and—on a set date—faculty members will ask questions of the student to ensure they fully understand the focus area of their dissertation.
• Questions will be open-ended so that Ed.D. students must think critically about their work. The thought of defending a thesis can be stressful, but students are given months to prepare. And committees generally want students to succeed, not fail!

DiP or Capstone Project

Questions to consider before committing to an ed.d., why do i want to earn a doctorate in education.

An Ed.D. can put your résumé at the top of the pile for many positions. But not every position. Do a little market research before making a commitment. Ed.D. holders tend to become school administrators, college administrators, college-level teachers (e.g. adjuncts), and instructional coordinators. If you’re considering one of these roles, it’s doubtful you’ll regret the knowledge gained from this degree.

Do I Really Need an Ed.D. Degree?

The short answer is no—an Ed.D. is not always necessary in order to snag a job in K-20 leadership. However, salaries for elementary and secondary school administrators vary widely; the top 10% make more than $150,000, while the bottom 10% earn less than $66,000. The gap is even more pronounced for postsecondary administrators . A doctorate in education can often help you secure a stronger salary and better job options.

Have a look at our guide to Ed.D. Careers & Salaries for detailed advice on this question.

Should I Study Part- or Full-Time?

If life circumstances allow a full class load, then full-time study is ideal. An accelerated Ed.D. degree takes 2+ years. That’s short enough to avoid feeling too much of a sting from lost income, yet long enough to take advantage of more internship opportunities and on-campus networking.

However, while part-time Ed.D. students may only have time to get the work done (and little else), most will likely walk away with less student debt, which may be worth it even if the doctorate in education takes longer.

What Are the Pros and Cons of an Ed.D. Degree?

• Advancement possibilities in your career
• New learning can revive a passion for your industry
• Opportunity to become a scholar and researcher in your field
• Earn the title of “Doctor”
• Opportunity costs—the time and length of the degree means potentially forgoing other useful ways to spend those years
• May be expensive in terms of both program cost and lost income due to reducing work hours
• Balancing family/work commitments can be challenging

Do I Opt for a Ph.D. in Education or an Ed.D.?

Ed.D. programs might not pack the same punch as Ph.D.s in terms of “perceived” prestige for academic positions, but they serve an important role in terminal degree studies and they’re well-recognized by employers.

The practical application of the Ed.D. is the hallmark of the program. Whereas Ph.D. programs have a strong theoretical research component, Ed.D. programs stress the importance of real-life function and application.

Check out our guide to the Ed.D. vs Ph.D. if you need more help in this area.

Best universities in the US for education degrees 2024

Explore the best universities in the us for education degrees, using data from the times higher education world university rankings 2024.

Top 10 universities in the US for education degrees 2024

Scroll down for the full list of best universities in the US for education degrees

To become a teacher in the US, you must be licensed by the state in which you want to teach, and most teacher-training courses begin at the postgraduate level. Aspiring teachers will often complete an undergraduate degree in any subject, then enrol in an accredited teacher programme. 

However, education can also be studied at many levels beyond teacher training. Education as an academic discipline brings together fields such as sociology, politics, history and psychology to investigate a broad range of education-related problems, from social mobility to international policy. Some universities offer undergraduate education courses as majors or minors. 

Below are the best universities for education degrees in the US. 

Best universities for education degrees  Best universities in Australia for education degrees Best universities for education degrees in the UK Best universities in Canada for education degrees

5.  University of California, Los Angeles  (UCLA)

The education and social transformation major at  UCLA  analyses issues in education through social justice. An education studies minor can also be taken at an undergraduate level, aiming to give students an understanding of the research issues in education and the politics behind American education policies.

There are also five academic master’s and doctoral degrees in education on offer at  UCLA  covering topics such as higher education and organisational change, human development and psychology, social research and methodology, social sciences and comparative education and urban schooling. All courses are offered at both the MA and PhD level, except urban schooling, which is limited to a PhD.

Postgraduate students can take professional education degrees, either a master’s of education (MEd) or a doctor of education (EdD), which range in duration from one to two years.

4.  University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

The  University of Michigan-Ann Arbor  offers two bachelor’s degrees in education, covering elementary or secondary education . The elementary programme awards students with a bachelor’s degree in education. The secondary programme is three terms long, beginning in a student’s junior year, allowing them to graduate with both an undergraduate degree and a secondary teacher certification.

Postgraduate courses include a master’s in higher education, which looks at institutional research, public policy, and student access and success. The educational studies programme offers courses in design and technologies for learning among a range of other topics.

The doctor of philosophy programme focuses on education and psychology, educational studies, English and education, or higher education. Past graduates have gone on to work as education consultants, policymakers and research specialists.

3.  Harvard University

  Harvard University  mainly offers education courses at a postgraduate level, but students can also choose classes relating to education as an undergraduate.

Students enrolled in a master’s programme choose one programme to develop a specific expertise. Programmes include education policy and analysis; education leadership, organisations and entrepreneurship; human development and education; and learning design, innovation and technology.

Harvard offers two main education doctoral degrees: the three-year practice-based doctor of education leadership programme, and the five-year doctor of philosophy in education programme, which focuses on research and its impacts.

Since 2018, Harvard undergraduate students have been able to take secondary classes in educational studies. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences offers foundational courses for students wishing to pursue this option, including education in the economy, the social responsibilities of universities, and education and culture.

What can you do with an education degree?

2.  Stanford University

Stanford University  offers several pathways to study education. The undergraduate minor in education provides students with an introduction to the subject through research, theory and practice. It is usually taken by those who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree in the field.

Undergraduates can also choose to take an honour’s programme to apply their chosen major to education. This option will include taking additional courses and producing a thesis relating to an educational issue.

Full-time master’s courses in education include the Stanford Teacher Education Program, as well as curriculum and teacher education, policy, organisation and leadership studies, learning, design and technology, international comparative education and education data science. Master’s courses range in length from nine to 18 months.

There are several doctoral education programmes on offer, in which all students undertake a research apprenticeship. Several programmes can be chosen, including elementary education, teacher education and sociology of education.

1.  University of California, Berkeley

Similar to other US universities, the  University of California, Berkeley  does not offer an undergraduate education major, but students can opt for a minor in education. Full education courses are then offered from a postgraduate level through the Graduate School of Education.

The master’s degrees offered can be completed via two routes, either through 20 semester units and a master’s thesis, or through 24 semester units and a written exam.

There are two doctoral-level education degrees. The doctorate of philosophy programme is geared towards those interested in research, whereas the doctorate of education degree is better suited to those seeking an advanced professional career in education. The latter focuses on educational leadership, human development and programme evaluation and assessment, and usually includes two years of field-based coursework.

Best universities in the US for education degrees 2024

Click each institution to view its full  World University Rankings 2024  results

You may also like

.css-185owts{overflow:hidden;max-height:54px;text-indent:0px;} Everything you need to know about studying in the US

Joy Hunter, Grace McCabe

Scholarships available in the US for international students

Seeta Bhardwa

Best universities in the United States 2024

Register free and enjoy extra benefits

2024 Best Grad Schools in the United States for Doctorate Degrees

Choosing the best grad school for you, higher than average earnings, taking out student loans, more ranking factors that are important, one size does not fit all, top doctorate degree schools in the united states, rest of the top 50 best doctorate degree schools in the united states, narrow doctorate degree schools by region, rocky mountains, middle atlantic, great lakes, new england, plains states, far western us, other u.s. territories, rest of the top 15% doctorate degree schools in the united states.

Honorable Mentions

More Rankings

Bachelor's degrees, returning adults, master's degrees, notes and references, popular reports, compare your school options.

This site uses various technologies, as described in our Privacy Policy, for personalization, measuring website use/performance, and targeted advertising, which may include storing and sharing information about your site visit with third parties. By continuing to use this website you consent to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Best online doctor of education programs for 2024.

Online Doctor of Education programs have become as rigorous as their on-campus counterparts. For many Education Ed.D. candidates, an online degree might even be the smarter choice. Online programs offer flexibility, affordability, access to innovative technologies, students from a diversity of career backgrounds, and global opportunities.

Showing 1 - 25 of 66 results

Arizona state university - doctor of education (ed.d.) in leadership and innovation, from the school, baylor university - online doctor of education (ed.d.) in learning and organizational change, university of dayton - online doctor of education (ed.d.) in leadership for organizations, university of southern california - doctor of education (ed.d.) in organizational change and leadership online, vanderbilt university - online doctor of education in leadership and learning in organizations, a.t. still university of health sciences - doctor of education in health professions, abilene christian university - online doctor of education (ed.d.) in organizational leadership program, andrews university - ed.d. in educational leadership, arcadia university - doctor of education in educational leadership (deel), aspen university - doctor of education (ed.d.) in leadership and learning, boise state university - doctor of education in educational technology, boston college - doctor of education (ed.d.) in educational leadership (psap) program, bradley university - online doctor of education-higher education administration program, cabrini university - doctor of education (edd) in organizational learning and leadership online, capella university - doctor of education program, concordia university chicago - ed.d. program in leadership, drexel university - online doctorate in educational leadership and management (ed.d.), edgewood college - doctoral program in educational leadership, florida state university - educational leadership & policy - ed.d. program, fordham university - doctor of education (ed.d.) in educational leadership, administration and policy, grand canyon university - online ed.d. degree: doctor of education, indiana university - online doctor of education in literacy, culture, and language education, johns hopkins school of education - online ed.d. program, kennesaw state university - education doctorate in educational leadership (ed.d.), lamar university - doctor of education in educational leadership.

Enrollment Advisor

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 1

1-877-LEARN-30

Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM ET

Sat-Sun 9AM-8PM ET

Student Support

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 2

Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM ET

Sat-Sun 8:30AM-5PM ET

Partnerships

• Teach or Tutor for Us

College Readiness

International

Advertising

Affiliate/Other

• Enrollment Terms & Conditions
• Accessibility
• Cigna Medical Transparency in Coverage

Register Book

Local Offices: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM

• SAT Subject Tests

Academic Subjects

• Social Studies

Find the Right College

• College Rankings
• College Advice
• Applying to College
• Financial Aid

School & District Partnerships

• Professional Development
• Advice Articles
• Private Tutoring
• Mobile Apps
• International Offices
• Work for Us
• Affiliate Program
• Partner with Us
• Advertise with Us
• International Partnerships
• Our Guarantees
• Accessibility – Canada

Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information | Your Opt-Out Rights | Terms of Use | Site Map

©2024 TPR Education IP Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University

TPR Education, LLC (doing business as “The Princeton Review”) is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, a firm owned by Chinese nationals with a principal place of business in Hong Kong, China.

Info for Morgan State University

• Future Students
• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Parents & Families
• Alumni & Friends
• For the Media

Search Morgan State University

Commonly searched pages.

• Payment Plan
• Housing Application
• Comptroller
• Urban Educational Leadership
• UEL Faculty
• PhD in Education (Urban Educational Leadership)
• EdD in Urban Educational Leadership

Urban Educational Leadership Program

PhD in Education with a concentration in Urban Educational Leadership

The PhD in Education equips students to systematically examine the theoretical and practical challenges evident across the P-20 educational pipeline to address the issue of inequity. The degree program will prepare individuals for careers in academia, research, and policy centers, as well as for high-level administration and curricular positions at educational institutions and agencies. Learn more about the PhD in Education program here .

The concentration in Urban Educational Leadership is recommended for students interested in careers in research and policy who are focused on the problem of inequity across educational sectors.

For more information please contact   Karoline Ruhdorfer   at   [email protected]

The educational objectives for the PhD in Education are the following:

• To advance research on inequity issues within the full P-20 educational pipeline.
• To prepare students to use original and existing research to transform educational practice.
• To equip future educational researchers with innovative teaching experience and cutting-edge transdisciplinary research experience to become attractive job candidates on the academic market.
• To prepare candidates to create a collaborative learning community that integrates all the various educational contexts.
• To prepare candidates to be critical thinkers who focus on leadership, policy, ethics, and social justice.

Candidates for the PhD in Education degree must complete a minimum of 54 academic credit hours, pass the comprehensive exam, and submit and successfully defend a research-based dissertation. All students in the program will be expected to complete academic core and research courses of 27 credits and concentration courses of 27 credits. The concentration courses are presented on the the relevant pages and in the   PhD Program Handbook .

The Core 27 credits consist of the following:

Academic Core (9 Credits):

• ASLP 600 Introduction to Doctoral Studies and Academic Writing (3)
• ASLP 640 Race and Public Policy in Education (3)
• ASLP 642 Equity and Social Justice in Education (3)

Research (15 Credits)

• ASLP 620 Introduction to Educational Research (3)
• ASLP 700 Methods of Inquiry (3)
• ASLP 710 Quantitative Research Methods (3)
• ASLP 712 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
• *Students will complete an additional 3 credits of advanced research electives related to their chosen methodology.

Dissertation (3 credits)

• ASLP 997/998 (3)

Prospective students should complete this brief   interest form   to be connected to a faculty member for more information.

Admission Application Deadlines:

• January 15 - Priority deadline (Especially for those seeking graduate student funding)
• February 15 - Final deadline to begin an application
• March 1 - Final deadline to submit a complete application

All application materials must be received by this date for consideration

The School of Graduate Studies   coordinates the application process. 

Students can complete the PhD program as either high residency or low residency programs.

• High residency students will take courses on-campus, hybrid-flex, and remote synchronous modalities. Students in the high residency option should be able to come to campus for evening courses.
• Low residency students will take remote synchronous courses scheduled in the evenings and will be required to come to Baltimore for an in-person retreat during the Fall and spring semesters. 

Learn more about our delivery options  here .

Our program offers three types of funding:

• Graduate Research Assistantships
• Graduate Teaching Assistantships
• Tuition Awards

Many of our students also leverage their Tuition Remission benefits from local institutions like the   USM schools ,   JHU , or   Morgan State . Tuition Remission is determined and coordinated by your institution. We encourage you to speak with your HR representative about how to use these benefits. 

Contact Information

Dr. Camika Royal Program Director & Associate Professor Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership and Policy Banneker Building #315D

P: (443) 885-5404 E:   [email protected]

Interested in Our Programs? Please contact us: https://forms.gle/YU6U6CcEDYyhSraj8

• Voter Guide
• Public Safety
• Indiana Politics
• Investigations
• Season for Sharing

U.S. News 2025 top colleges list is out. Here's how Indiana schools rank

High school juniors, take note.

U.S. News & World Report has issued its 2025 Best Colleges rankings.

One university in Indiana made the top 20 list of Best National Universities .

The University of Notre Dame tied for the 18th spot on the list, which ranks schools that offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and doctoral programs. 

How Indiana colleges rank on U.S. News & World Report Best National Universities

• University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, #18 (tie)
• Purdue University, West Lafayette, #46 (tie)
• Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, #73 (tie)
• Indiana University-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, #196 (tie)
• Ball State University, Muncie, #204 (tie)
• Marian University,  Indianapolis, #273 (tie)
• University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, #296 (tie)
• Oakland City University, Oakland City, #315 (tie)
• Indiana State University, Terre Haute, #377 (tie)

 The full list is at usnews.com.

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at [email protected] or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X:  @cherylvjackson .

• Voter Guide
• Crime & Courts
• National Politics
• News Columnists
• Women Of The Century
• The American South
• Coronavirus

University of Tennessee drops on best colleges list, but which UT program rose 41 spots?

While the University of Tennessee at Knoxville dropped four spots this year in the U.S. News and World Report list of best colleges, individual programs within the state's flagship university have climbed the ranks, including a 41-spot jump for undergraduate programs in the College of Nursing.

The rankings came out Sept. 24 and placed UT in a tie with eight other schools for the 52nd spot among public universities, down one spot from last year. In the overall ranking, which includes private schools, UT fell four places and tied with 11 other schools for the 109th spot.

While the undergraduate programs in the College of Nursing rose 32 spots to 19th among public universities, the college made even bigger strides among all schools, landing 41 spots higher than last year at 26th overall.

UT is in the middle of a $108 million effort to build and open the Croley Nursing Building in time for next year's fall semester. The facility will include seven classrooms, a 250-seat auditorium, 17 nursing simulator spaces and an outdoor teaching and event plaza.

Additionally, the supply chain management program at UT landed at No. 3 among public schools and No. 4 overall, marking the fifth year in a row the program has been top five nationally and first in the Southeastern Conference.

" Record retention and graduation rates are a testament to the commitment of faculty and staff to our students’ success,” Provost John Zomchick said in a news release. “This achievement is the result of our dedication to collaborative engagement with our students and innovative curricula and programming to ensure that students are not only staying on track but thriving throughout their academic journey.”

The Haslam College of Business ranked 25th among public universities and 40th nationally. The Tickle College of Engineering finished at 37th in public universities and 66th nationally.

How UT performed in other U.S. News and World Report rankings

These following rankings are for all universities, not just public schools:

• Supply Chain Management/Logistics: 4th
• Nursing: 26th (tie)
• Accounting: 42nd
• Computer Science: 53rd
• Most Innovative Schools: 63rd (tie)
• Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs: 66th (tie)
• Best College for Veterans: 70th
• Best Value Schools: 95th
• Economics : 102nd

Where Tennessee's top five universities place on national list

• Vanderbilt: 18th (tie)
• University of Tennessee at Knoxville: 109th (tie)
• Union University: 209th (tie)
• Belmont University: 220th (tie)
• Lipscomb University: 244th (tie)

How did every SEC school including University of Tennessee rank in national list?

• University of Florida: 30th (tie)
• University of Texas at Austin: 30th (tie)
• University of Georgia: 46th (tie)
• Texas A&M: 51st (tie)
• Auburn University: 105th (tie)
• University of Missouri: 109th (tie)
• University of South Carolina : 121st (tie)
• University of Oklahoma : 132nd (tie)
• University of Kentucky : 152nd (tie) 
• University of Alabama : 171st (tie)
• University of Mississippi : 171st (tie)
• Louisiana State University : 179th (tie)
• University of Arkansas : 189th (tie) 
• Mississippi State University : 214th (tie)

How UT compares to aspirational peers in public school rankings

UT Knoxville has created a list of schools it aspires to be like when it comes to admissions, enrollment, graduation, retention and university employee metrics. UT uses data and analysis to create goals by comparing itself to these schools.

• University of Florida : 7th (tie)
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign : 9th (tie)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison : 13th (tie)
• Purdue University : 18th (tie)
• University of Georgia : 18th (tie)
• University of Minnesota : 23rd (tie)
• North Carolina State University : 26th (tie)
• The Pennsylvania State University : 30th (tie)
• Michigan State University : 30th (tie)
• University of Tennessee at Knoxville: 52nd (tie)

How Tennessee compares to peer schools in public ranking

UT Knoxville also has created a list of comparable schools, which the university also uses to help set goals.

• Virginia Tech : 21st (tie)
• Clemson University : 39th (tie)
• University of Colorado Boulder : 46th (tie)
• Auburn University : 51st (tie)
• University of Missouri : 52nd (tie)
• Iowa State University : 61st (tie)
• University of South Carolina : 61st (tie) 
• University of Oklahoma : 68th
• University of Nebraska : 81st (tie)
• University of Kentucky: 81st (tie)
• University of Alabama : 92nd (tie)
• Lousiana State University : 97th (tie)

U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges methodology changes

Two factors - first-generation graduation rates and first-generation graduation rate performance - were dropped in this year's rankings for the National Universities list.

More than half of a school's rank relates the institution's success in enrolling students from different backgrounds, graduating those students, managing those students' debt and those students' post-graduation success.

Data for the 2025 U.S. News rankings was gathered in the spring and summer of 2024. The organization collects a variety of information about each school, including student retention and graduation rates, faculty resources, test scores and alumni giving.

Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Email  [email protected] . X, formerly known as Twitter  @specialk2real .

Support strong local journalism by subscribing to  subscribe.knoxnews.com .

Miami remains among top 3 public schools for Undergraduate Teaching

University recognized in several U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges categories

501 E. High Street Oxford, OH 45056

• Online: Miami Online
• Main Operator 513-529-1809
• Office of Admission 513-529-2531
• Vine Hotline 513-529-6400
• Emergency Info https://miamioh.edu/emergency

1601 University Blvd. Hamilton, OH 45011

• Online: E-Campus
• Main Operator 513-785-3000
• Office of Admission 513-785-3111
• Campus Status Line 513-785-3077
• Emergency Info https://miamioh.edu/regionals/emergency

4200 N. University Blvd. Middletown, OH 45042

• Main Operator 513-727-3200
• Office of Admission 513-727-3216
• Campus Status 513-727-3477

7847 VOA Park Dr. (Corner of VOA Park Dr. and Cox Rd.) West Chester, OH 45069

• Main Operator 513-895-8862
• From Middletown 513-217-8862

Chateau de Differdange 1, Impasse du Chateau, L-4524 Differdange Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

• Main Operator 011-352-582222-1
• Email [email protected]
• Website https://miamioh.edu/luxembourg

217-222 MacMillan Hall 501 E. Spring St. Oxford, OH 45056, USA

• Main Operator 513-529-8600

Initiatives

• Miami THRIVE Strategic Plan
• Miami Rise Strategic Plan
• Boldly Creative
• Annual Report
• Moon Shot for Equity
• Miami and Ohio
• Majors, Minors, and Programs
• Inclusive Excellence
• Employment Opportunities
• University Safety and Security
• Parking, Directions, and Maps
• Equal Opportunity
• Consumer Information
• Land Acknowledgement
• Privacy Statement
• Title IX Statement
• Report an Accessibility Issue
• Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
• Report a Problem with this Website
• Policy Library

Cobb Schools expanding Georgia Best degree program

COBB COUNTY, Ga. - The Cobb County School District is expanding its program that funds graduate degrees for district staff at no cost to them, adding 150 more educators.

Since the program launched last year, more than 700 staff members have been accepted, offering them a valuable opportunity to further their education without financial burden.

The program is open to any full-time, certified district employee. Those selected for the latest round will begin their graduate studies in January.

For more information, visit the Georgia’s BEST page on: CobbK12.org .