Why This Matters
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37% OF POSTSECONDARY ADMINISTRATOR JOBS REQUIRE A DOCTORAL DEGREE
According to O*NET, 37% of postsecondary administrator jobs require a doctorate, while an additional 48% require a master’s degree.
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7,700 MORE POSTSECONDARY ADMINISTRATORS NEEDED BY 2032
The number of jobs for postsecondary administrators is expected to grow 4% over the next decade.
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POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $190,000
Postsecondary administrators earn an average salary of $99,940 per year, with the top 10% making more than $196,420. Completing a doctorate program will help you reach the high end of your salary potential.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online doctorate in higher education degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online doctorate in higher education degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 51 hours to write this article
- 78 universities and colleges we assessed
- 84 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Doctorate in Higher Education Programs
Discover More Options
What You Should Know About This Degree
When researching your degree options, you may be considering the differences between a master’s degree and a doctorate degree. It’s important to keep in mind that while both degrees can prepare you for a successful career in this field, a doctorate degree is more research-based and helps you develop particularly strong analytical skills.
Regardless of the program you choose to enroll yourself in, it’s vital that you choose a school that’s accredited by an approved organization. You can check a school’s accreditation status by visiting the Departent of Education’s accreditation database.
After you obtain your doctorate, there are several professions that you’ll be qualified to enter. That includes college president, provost, academic dean, and professor.
While further licensing and certification isn’t typically required in these professions, you will most likely need to pass a criminal background check prior to working in a school setting.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in higher education programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? The timeline for obtaining a doctorate in higher education online depends on your schedule and level of commitment to completing the program quickly. While some are able to finish and obtain their degree in about two years, most students take between six and eight years to complete doctorate programs.
- Am I eligible for this program? While every school has different prerequisites, most doctorate programs in higher learning require students to have a degree in a similar field of study, such as education.
As you research programs that interest you, make sure to keep track of important application information, including special essays you may need to submit and application deadlines. If you need assistance paying for your degree, also be sure to keep track of deadlines for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities.