Best PhD and Doctoral Programs in Arizona: Online & Campus
Arizona offers a wide range of doctoral programs designed to help students advance their education and career goals — both online and on campus.
With respected public universities, growing research initiatives, and affordable tuition for residents, Arizona provides excellent opportunities for both academic researchers and working professionals.
Whether you’re pursuing a research-based PhD or a career-focused professional doctorate, the state’s universities offer flexible options that balance academic rigor, real-world application, and accessibility.
This guide highlights the top PhD and doctoral programs in Arizona, outlines common program types, and provides insight into funding opportunities and salary potential for advanced degree holders.
Top PhD and Doctoral Programs in Arizona
Arizona’s leading universities combine academic excellence with innovation and flexibility.
Below are three of the state’s top doctoral institutions offering high-quality, affordable, and flexible programs.
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a top-ranked research institution with strong doctoral programs in health, engineering, and social sciences.
School Highlights:
- Notable Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | PhD in Optical Sciences | PhD in Environmental Science | Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
- Format: Primarily on-campus with some hybrid options.
- Funding: Most PhD students receive funded research or teaching assistantships, which include stipends and full tuition coverage.
- Reputation: UArizona is nationally recognized for STEM and health-related research, as well as its leadership in environmental studies.
Why it stands out: UArizona offers world-class research opportunities and strong financial support, particularly for full-time PhD candidates.
Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University (GCU), a private Christian university, provides several online and evening doctoral programs focused on leadership, education, and applied research.
School Highlights:
- Notable Programs: Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership | PhD in General Psychology | Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Format: Online and hybrid formats designed for working adults.
- Tuition: Approximately $700 per credit hour, depending on the program.
- Completion Time: Most programs take 3–5 years.
Why it stands out: GCU’s accessible, flexible programs are built for professionals who need to balance education, work, and family while advancing their careers.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is one of the largest and most innovative public research universities in the U.S., offering over 100 doctoral programs, including several that can be completed fully online.
School Highlights:
- Notable Programs: PhD in Biomedical Engineering | PhD in Computer Science | PhD in Education Policy and Evaluation | Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) | Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Format: Online, hybrid, and on-campus options available.
- Funding: Graduate fellowships, assistantships, and tuition support for full-time students.
- Duration: Typically four to six years, depending on program structure and research requirements.
Why it stands out: ASU’s combination of research excellence, accessibility, and flexible learning options makes it a strong choice for both full-time scholars and working professionals.
Types of Doctoral Programs in Arizona
Arizona’s universities offer diverse doctoral pathways to match students’ academic goals, professional backgrounds, and schedules.
Here’s a look at the most common types available across the state.
Full-Time Doctoral Programs
In a full-time PhD program, your courses and dissertation preparation take up much of your time. This type of program is hard to balance with a full-time job and is designed for students who want to immerse themselves in their coursework fully.
To learn more about how this type of program is structured, check out the aerospace engineering program at Arizona State University and the linguistics program at the University of Arizona.
Part-Time Doctoral Programs
If you want to get your PhD but need to balance your coursework with a job, family obligations, or other responsibilities, part-time on-campus or online PhD programs in Arizona might be for you.
It often takes longer to graduate from these programs, but they take up less of your day-to-day time. Online part-time PhD programs also fit even better with a busy schedule since they eliminate a commute to and from campus.
Examples of part-time programs include the PhD in finance from Arizona State University and the PhD in school psychology program from Northern Arizona University.
Fully Funded Doctoral Programs
Fully funded PhD programs include a financial award that covers the cost of tuition and provides a stipend for living expenses.
This is a great option for those who want to commit to their degree without a huge strain on their finances, though these programs can be more competitive.
Many universities in Arizona offer these awards, including Northern Arizona University with the Presidential Fellowship Program and Arizona State University with the Dean’s Fellowship.
No-GRE Doctoral Programs
Similar to how undergraduate programs require ACT or SAT scores, some graduate programs require applicants’ Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores. If you have test-taking anxiety or prefer to skip this requirement, look into no-GRE programs.
Fortunately, Arizona has many high-quality no-GRE doctorates. These include the American Indian Studies program at the University of Arizona and the environment and society program at Northern Arizona University.
Accelerated Doctoral Programs
In accelerated PhD programs, the pace of coursework is intense. There’s more pressure to complete your dissertation on an accelerated timeline, but the payoff is a faster graduation date.
Some on-campus and online PhD programs in Arizona can be completed in as little as one year. This type of degree is ideal for anyone looking to start their postdoctoral career as fast as possible, though you should have considerable time to devote to your degree during the one-to-two-year program.
Accelerated programs in Arizona include a PhD in management at Arizona State University and a doctorate in organizational leadership at the University of Arizona Global Campus.
No Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in Arizona
One of the most common, and anxiety-inducing, PhD requirements is the dissertation. This intensive research project can cause many late nights, stress when the research doesn’t go as planned, and weekends spent working on this project.
If doing a large research paper doesn’t align with your career goals, consider a no dissertation PhD program. These programs are especially good for those looking to enter the private sector instead of a research-heavy area like academia.
The Doctorate of Business Administration at Grand Canyon University and the doctorate of healthcare administration at the University of Phoenix are just two of several no dissertation PhDs in Arizona.
Popular Fields to Earn Your PhD and Doctoral Degree in Arizona
Business Administration
If your goals include entering a leadership position in the business world or conducting research on effective business practices, you should consider getting your doctorate in business administration.
When looking at campus, hybrid, or online PhD programs in Arizona, make sure you know if you want a more general administration program or one which specializes in a specific area of business, such as finance or marketing.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Healthcare Administration
A doctorate of healthcare administration prepares you for an executive role in a healthcare system. This degree is perfect for those who already work in healthcare management and want to grow their expertise in the field.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Education
A doctorate of education is often a requirement to work as a principal, superintendent, or leader in the education space.
When looking at campus and online PhD programs in Arizona, consider the specializations offered at a university. Doctorates of education are available in higher education, K-12, and niche interests, such as curriculum development.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
- University of Arizona
- Northern Arizona University
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Psychology
A doctorate of psychology prepares you to work as a licensed psychologist with patients or conduct research in the field. Because psychology is such a diverse field, you’ll most likely have to choose a subspecialty, such as industrial psychology or clinical psychology.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Linguistics
A PhD in linguistics prepares you for a career as a linguistics professor or academic researcher. Depending on the subspeciality you choose, there may be other positions available, such as a language consultant to an AI company.
If you’re interested in this degree, you should already have an undergraduate and/or master’s degree in a related field.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Earning Your PhD or Professional Doctorate Online in Arizona
Arizona’s universities offer numerous online and hybrid doctoral programs, providing flexibility for students who want to earn their degree without relocating or leaving their jobs.
Examples:
- ASU: Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH), EdD in Leadership and Innovation, and DNP in Nursing Practice (all online).
- GCU: Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Education (EdD), and PhD in Psychology (fully online).
Online programs often feature asynchronous coursework, allowing students to complete assignments on their own schedule, while maintaining access to faculty mentors and virtual research resources.
Best Online Doctoral Programs in Arizona
Arizona State University has two online doctoral programs to choose from. First up is the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation. Students progress through the program in a cohort model, which facilitates collaborative learning through community groups, primarily during years two and three of the program. With the help of this group, students develop and implement changes to their current positions in education. The second doctoral program is the Doctor of Behavioral Health. Offered in either the clinical or management concentrations, students complete the bulk of coursework online, although each track has in-person internship requirements. To better fit the online coursework into their busy schedules, each class lasts just 7.5 weeks and covers subjects such as population-based health management and behavioral health entrepreneurship.
Program Highlights:
EdD in Leadership and Innovation
- Credits: 90
- Length: About 3 years
- Cost: $9,233/year
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: HLC
Doctor of Behavioral Health
- Credits: 84
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $13,709/year
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: HLC
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio25
Northern Arizona University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is specifically designed for current nurses who already have a master's degree and want to gain leadership expertise for serving rural and underserved patients. Because many DNP students continue working while in school, the majority of the courses can be completed online, although some courses are in a hybrid format. To some extent students can self-pace their learning, though they will still need to meet specific course deadlines throughout the semester. Other program requirements include 1,000 hours of clinicals and an oral thesis defense. Of the 74 credits required to graduate, at least 69 will be in graduate nursing courses and at least five will be in coursework related to scholarly research.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Credits: 74-79
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $610/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: CCNE
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio21
The Doctorate of Education (EdD) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are the two doctoral degrees from the University of Arizona that can be completed mostly online. The EdD curriculum focuses on educational leadership and is perfect for education professionals looking to shift into new roles. Much of what students learn revolves around identifying problems faced by academic institutions and developing solutions. The curriculum is self-paced, with program completion possible in as little as three years. The DNP program is one of the biggest at the University of Arizona in terms of specialization options. There are six concentrations, some of which include Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesia. The bulk of the coursework in these programs is available online, but students should expect to complete in-person clinicals or practicums to gain hands-on training.
Program Highlights:
EdD in Educational Leadership
- Credits: 63
- Length: About 3-4 years
- Cost: $625/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: HLC
Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Credits: 30-86
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $1,053/credit or $1,296/credit (for Nurse Anesthesia concentration)
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: CCNE
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio17
Paying for Your PhD or Doctoral Degree in Arizona
Earning a doctorate is a significant investment, but Arizona offers strong financial aid opportunities through public universities, scholarships, and fellowships.
Common funding sources include:
- Graduate assistantships and teaching fellowships (at ASU and UArizona)
- Institutional scholarships for academic excellence
- Employer tuition reimbursement programs for working professionals
Example: The University of Arizona offers a Graduate College Fellowship, which provides tuition coverage and stipends to full-time PhD students in STEM and social science fields.
Earnings for Doctorate Holders in Arizona
A doctoral degree can lead to substantial salary growth and expanded career opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctoral degree holders typically earn 20–30% more than those with only a master’s.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $120,370 | $208,00 |
| Computer Research Scientist | PhD in Computer Science | $141,440 | $208,000 |
| Data scientist | PhD in Data Science | $99,330 | $131,340 |
| Human Resources Executive | Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $119,400 | $189,830 |
| Instructional Coordinator | Doctor of Education (EdD) | $60,500 | $80,660 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | PhD in Nursing | $166,060 | $208,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | $121, 070 | $162,820 |
| Physical Therapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | $95,590 | $127,740 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | PhD in Education | $60,390 | $98,070 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) / PhD in Psychology | $105,000 | $124,090 |
| School Principal/Administrator | Doctor of Education (EdD) | $79,910 | $117,420 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics