If you’re an educator who wants to lead a school or one of its departments, instruct other educators, oversee curriculum design, or research and shape educational policy, getting your doctorate in education (EdD) is essential. With many online EdD programs to choose from, deciding the one that best supports your needs and career goals may be a challenge.
In the college ranking below, we’ve listed the best online EdD programs for 2024 to help jumpstart your search. It identifies standout programs offering flexible study plans and customizable degree tracks designed to give you an individualized learning experience. These programs allow you to study when you want and how you want, all while giving you the specialized skills you need to advance your career in education. Learn more about this year’s top-ranked online EdD programs and see which one is the best fit for you.
Top Online Doctorate Degrees in Education for 2024
We have ranked the top schools below. Our Rankings Data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES.) Click the About the Ranking link below for more information about our methodology.
- Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Assign Weightings
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
- For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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River Forest, ILPrivate not-for-profit $$
Concordia University – Chicago offers several online EdD/PhD programs to meet a variety of student needs and goals. Those who want district-level administrative responsibility can enroll in the Educational Leadership track with Ohio Superintendent Licensure. For students looking for school-level responsibility, the Principal Preparation track is best suited for their needs. The final leadership track is in Teacher Leadership with Ohio Teacher Leader Endorsement. For all of these programs, students will have the benefit of receiving the most affordable education doctorate tuitions in the state, as well as the ability to network with other teachers and administrators across the state.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Education
- Credits: 61-67
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $468/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Online Programs
6
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Anyone who wants to pursue leadership positions in higher education should consider getting their Doctorate in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service in Higher Education from Cardinal Stritch University. The program from Stritch places a heavy emphasis on research, so graduates will leave being great researchers and preparers of research. This program is ideal for those holding leadership positions in two- and four-year colleges, universities, and community and technical colleges. After graduating from the program, students will be able to go back to these positions with the means of creating substantial change within their organization.
Program Highlights:
Doctorate in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service in Higher Education
- Credits: Varies
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $810/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Online Programs
4
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
9/1
-
Jackson, TNPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Students pursuing an Ed.D from Union University have the option of specializing in either P-12 school administration or higher education. For those who choose the P-12 school administration specialization, they can enroll in three different tracks: instructional leadership, teacher leadership, or leadership in school reform. No matter which program/track a student enrolls in, they can complete all requirements online. All of these degree options will blend theory and practice, classic knowledge and current research, analysis and synthesis, and macro-perspective and micro-functionality so graduates can take on leadership and teaching positions at any education level.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Education
- Credits: Varies
- Length: 3-3.5 years
- Cost: $715/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
10/1
-
Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profit $$
Liberty University offers multiple online EdD programs to meet a wide range of student goals and needs. These include specializations in administration and supervision, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, and higher education administration. Each of these specializations offer different tracks as well. While enrolled in one of these doctorate programs from Liberty, students wil conduct their own research that culminates in a capstone project that provides practical solutions to modern challenges in education. Graduates will be prepared to be educational administrators, university faculty members, senior-level educational leaders, or educational policymakers.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Education
- Credits: 54
- Length: 2.5 years
- Cost: $495/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Programs
4
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Bethel University offers two online Doctor of Education degrees to meet a variety of student needs. The first is an EdD in Higher Education Leadership and the other is an Ed.D. in K-12 Administration. The higher education leadership specialization is a great option for those looking to make positive change in education by becoming effective and inspiring leaders. Those who graduate with this degree will be prepared to take on leadership roles at colleges and universities in a range of different departments that include academics, advising, enrollment, diversity and inclusion, student development, and career services among many others. On the other hand, the K-12 administration specialization is great for students who want to pursue leadership roles in the K-12 settings. After graduation, students will be prepared to be principals, superintendents, deans and assistant principals, and equity directors. Both programs are offered fully online and can be completed in as little as 3 years, plus a dissertation.
Program Highlights:
Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership
- Credits: 61
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $45,750 (total tuition)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Ed.D. in K-12 Administration
- Credits: 61
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $47,580 (total tuition)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Boiling Springs, NCPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Baldwin City, KSPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
10/1
-
Henniker, NHPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Lubbock, TXPublic $$
Online Programs
4
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Jackson, MSPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
8/1
-
Gainesville, GAPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
-
Lincoln, NEPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Bloomington, INPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Gainesville, FLPublic $$$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Austin, TXPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Jefferson City, TNPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Laramie, WYPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Bourbonnais, ILPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Joliet, ILPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Jonesboro, ARPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Ashland, OHPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Muncie, INPublic $$
Online Programs
3
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Dekalb, ILPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Denver, COPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
-
Tuscaloosa, ALPublic $$$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
-
Williamsburg, VAPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
-
Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Tucson, AZPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Miami Gardens, FLPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
-
Murray, KYPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Lexington, KYPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Champaign, ILPublic $$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
-
University, MSPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profit $$$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
-
Bethany, OKPrivate not-for-profit $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Vermillion, SDPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Manhattan, KSPublic $$$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
-
Boise, IDPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Hattiesburg, MSPublic $$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Missoula, MTPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
2
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
12/1
-
Greeley, COPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
-
Kingsville, TXPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
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Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
Affordability
Support Services
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
Knowledge & Skills You’ll Acquire Earning Your Online EdD
Online EdD programs teach you the administrative skills and policy knowledge needed to work in education, whether as an organizational leader, a teacher or trainer, or a public official. Through instruction by experienced experts, you’ll build a professional profile that qualifies you for high-level strategic roles in educational institutions and other arenas. Here are just a few of the learning outcomes you can expect to achieve by the time you graduate with an online EdD.
Education Policy and Pedagogy Knowledge
Earning a doctorate in education makes you a highly qualified education professional ready to not only teach others but also influence and analyze the public policy measures that affect education delivery throughout the U.S. You’ll also learn about how policy has developed historically and will have plenty of opportunities to refine your own approach to education pedagogy, whether in the boardroom or traditional classroom.
Management and Administrative Skills
Doctoral programs in education also give you transferable and in-demand management and administrative skills. The degree puts you in a good position to coordinate and oversee wide-ranging educational programming in a number of contexts and to modify them when necessary in light of shifting objectives and stakeholder input. You’ll also be well equipped to manage education-based organizations, engage in strategic planning, and implement operations measures backed by evidence-based inquiry.
Research and Assessment
Most doctoral programs focus on research, but online EdD programs narrow that focus further by also emphasizing program assessment. You’ll develop hard research skills rooted in the social sciences and will learn to analyze data using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Independent research projects allow you to explore your interests, and courses in assessment and evaluation empower you to improve the programming under your supervision.
Professional Ethics
Graduates of online education doctorate programs also gain a clear sense of professional ethics and the ability to enforce them in different organizations. You’ll become familiar with the code of conduct and set of ethical rules that govern education professionals, and you’ll learn how to develop new ethical codes that support organizational goals. Additionally, you’ll build key skills in staff onboarding, training, and personnel management.
Common Courses in Online EdD Programs
While each online EdD program differs somewhat based on the school and available specializations, most share a common structure with similar course offerings. Core courses provide a sound foundation in the main theories and practices used by education professionals, while free electives or concentration-specific classes allow you to build specialized expertise. Here are some common offerings you can expect to encounter in your studies.
Program Assessment and Evaluation
Education professionals at the highest levels must be able to assess the programming under their supervision and evaluate it in light of organizational outcomes. This class teaches you how to execute this process with a range of objectives – research grants and other funding opportunities, organizational reform, public policy initiatives, and so on – in view. The course looks at key case studies and prompts you to analyze them while developing your own processes for independent assessment and evaluation.
Multicultural Education and Cultural Competence
This course prepares education professionals for work in diverse, multicultural contexts as leaders, educators, and practitioners. You’ll examine issues of cultural competence and use prominent pedagogical theories and other best practices to develop actionable solutions. Topics may include ethnic origins and societal change, race and gender, language, economic structures, and the role of globalization. Special attention is given to how principles of intersectionality affect dominant philosophies in education and organizational development.
Methodology and Research Design in Education
In this class, you’ll develop working proficiency with the primary methods of research-based inquiry in education and the social sciences more broadly. It prepares you for independent research for your dissertation or other endeavors and looks at varying approaches to research and data analysis. The class also builds core skills in research design and helps you develop, conceptualize, and implement a range of projects rooted in proven research practices.
Theories of Strategic Leadership
This course takes an organizational approach and explores best practices in leadership with a special focus on their applications in secondary and postsecondary educational settings. You’ll learn to engage in high-level organizational planning and practice working through decision-making processes in light of case studies and other simulated scenarios. There is also the opportunity to assess and evaluate dominant strategic planning procedures in educational institutions and to develop individual approaches to organizational leadership.
Systems Thinking and Organizational Development
A class on systems thinking and organizational development examines a range of organizational theories and systems-thinking approaches and discusses their uses in educational structures. It looks at the historical and philosophical development of those theories and prompts you to analyze them as you consider contemporary problems and issues. You’ll also learn to understand how systems-thinking approaches can enhance organizational outcomes and generate key stakeholder feedback. Depending on this school, this course may call for research prerequisites.
Dissertation or Capstone Seminar
All doctoral education programs conclude with a dissertation component or a project-based capstone seminar. In this course, you’ll synthesize the skills and knowledge gained across your studies by applying them to real-world questions or problems explored through independent research. You are expected to make original contributions within your specialization and the broader field of education. Most schools administer this course using a cohort model and have you defend your research before a faculty committee.
FAQs About Earning Your Education Doctorate Online
Earning your education doctorate online is a huge undertaking, and you likely have many unanswered questions. Getting the answers you need before committing to a program will help you select one that meets your needs and positions you for future success. Below are answers to some of the most common questions those beginning their search for an online EdD often have.
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Can I earn my EdD completely online?
Programs like Boise State’s EdD in Educational Technology, Concordia University Chicago doctorates, and Lamar University’s Educational Leadership doctorates all use fully online formats ideal for busy working professionals. You may need to attend an in-person orientation session before you start classes, but all program requirements can be completed remotely. Other programs, like Texas A&M’s Higher Education Doctorate (EDD) and the University of Arkansas’ Doctor of Education in Adult and Lifelong Learning, offer hybrid or blending learning options.
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What careers are available for EdD graduates?
Online doctoral programs in education provide a versatile and transferable course of study that opens a range of career opportunities and set you up for long-term career advancement. Graduates are fully prepared for leadership roles and high-level positions as teachers, education administrators, program directors, and research consultants. Here are just a few positions available to graduates of an online EdD program.
- Academic Dean or Provost
- Curriculum Director
- Instructional Coach
- Policy Researcher
- School Superintendent
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What accreditation should online education doctoral programs have?
All online EdD programs should be administered by schools with proper institutional accreditation, which comes from independent agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA and ensures that a school’s academic programming meets acceptable standards of quality and excellence. Some programs also possess programmatic accreditation, an extra credential that provides additional backing and value. Most online EdD programs receive programmatic accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
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What’s required to get into an online EdD program?
Admissions requirements for online EdD programs are similar to other graduate programs except that applicants must hold relevant master’s degrees. Additional components include a recent resume or curriculum vitae, official academic transcripts, recommendation letters from past teachers or supervisors, and a personal statement that speaks to career goals and intent to study. GRE requirements vary widely. Programs like Morehead State University’s EdD make the test optional while others, like Indiana University for its EdD in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education, waive it completely.
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How much do online doctoral programs in education cost?
Key factors affecting the overall cost include the type of school (i.e., public vs. private colleges), availability of financial aid, and your residency status. Public universities like Indiana University and the University of West Florida offer cheaper tuition rates starting at around $400 per credit for in-state residents to just over $600 for out-of-state residents, while private schools like Drexel cost more at $1,396 per credit. Some schools, like Liberty University at just under $36,000, charge a flat rate for online study.
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How long will it take me to earn my education doctorate online?
Most online EdD programs last three to five years. Johns Hopkins’ Doctor of Education, Baylor’s EdD, and the University of Dayton’s EdD in Leadership for Organizations give you a good idea of what you can expect in terms of length and pacing for most programs. Individual courses of study do vary, though, and your enrollment status can extend or expedite your timeline with full-time students typically graduating sooner than part-time learners who work while earning their EdDs. Additionally, attending an accelerated program like the Doctor of Education in Leadership program at Trevecca Nazarene University graduates you in just over two years.
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What specializations are available for online EdD programs?
Available specializations focus your studies and give you a deeper set of skills in the area of your choice. Virtually all online doctoral programs in education offer specializations in subjects like curriculum design, educational leadership or administration, and public policy. As you weigh your options, consider your interests and career goals alongside the options available at each school. Here are a few specializations you can expect to encounter in your search.
- Curriculum Development / Instructional Design
- Educational Administration
- Educational Leadership
- Education Policy
- Higher Education
- Human Resource Development
- Reading and Literacy
- Special Education
Examining the Value of Earning Your Online EdD
Higher levels of educational attainment lead to higher pay and lower rates of unemployment overall. This means that when you earn your online EdD you’re not just obtaining the highest credential in your field, but you’re also setting yourself apart as a desirable job candidate with transferable, in-demand skills. The careers below are all attainable with an online EdD, and each profession logs higher earnings and greater job growth potential than average.
| Career | Median Annual Earnings (2021) | Job Growth (2021-2031) |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $96,910 | 7% |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,130 | 7% |
| Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals | $98,420 | 5% |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $79,640 | 12% |
| Instructional Coordinators | $63,740 | 7% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
