Best PhD Programs in Massachusetts - Online & Campus
Are you exploring PhDs or professional doctorates in Massachusetts? This guide can help you find the best online and on-campus degree programs in the state, and show you how they work, how much they cost, and what you can earn after you graduate.
Whether you’re pursuing a research-driven PhD or a career-focused doctorate, Massachusetts offers programs designed to help you advance your education and expand your impact.
Many schools now feature online and hybrid formats, letting you balance doctoral study with work, family, and professional commitments.
This guide highlights top PhD and doctoral programs in Massachusetts, outlines common program types, and explore funding options and salary potential for advanced-degree holders across the state.
Popular PhD and Doctoral Programs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ universities consistently rank among the best in the country by combining strong academics, research excellence, and flexibility for working professionals.
Below are standout schools offering exceptional doctoral programs both on campus and online.
Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a leader in experiential education, emphasizing applied research and industry partnerships across its doctoral offerings.
Programs Offered:
- PhD in Computer Science
- Doctor of Law and Policy (DLP) – Hybrid format
- Doctor of Education (EdD) – Online
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) – Online
Format: Fully online, hybrid, and in-person options depending on program.
Funding: Fellowships, graduate assistantships, and employer-based tuition support.
Why it stands out: Northeastern’s flexible doctoral programs combine academic theory with real-world application, ideal for working professionals seeking advancement or career transitions.
Boston University
Boston University (BU) offers more than 90 doctoral programs spanning arts, sciences, and professional fields.
Programs Offered:
- PhD in Biomedical Engineering
- PhD in Psychology
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Format: Primarily on-campus, with select online and hybrid options.
Funding: Most full-time PhD students receive full tuition coverage and stipends through research or teaching assistantships.
Why it stands out: BU’s combination of prestigious research, comprehensive funding, and interdisciplinary collaboration makes it one of the most competitive doctoral destinations in the region.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst is part of the state’s respected UMass system and offers multiple doctorate and PhD options across diverse disciplines.
Programs Offered:
- PhD in Counseling and School Psychology
- PhD in Clinical Psychology
- PhD in Environmental Sciences
- PhD in Nursing
- PhD in Public Policy
Format: Most programs are campus-based, but select courses are available online or hybrid.
Funding: Teaching assistantships and research fellowships are available, along with competitive doctoral stipends.
Why it stands out: UMass combines high research standards with public university affordability, giving doctoral students broad access to funding and mentorship opportunities.
Types of Doctoral Programs in Massachusetts
Doctoral students in Massachusetts can choose from multiple formats depending on their goals, timelines, and professional experience.
Here’s an overview of the most common types available throughout the state.
Full-Time Doctoral Programs
Best for: Students who can commit to research full-time.
- Typically take 4–5 years to complete
- Include advanced coursework, comprehensive exams, and a dissertation
MA Examples:
- Harvard University – PhD in Economics
- Boston University – PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Part-Time Doctoral Programs
Best for: Professionals balancing career and academic goals.
- Often take 5–7 years to finish
- Allow students to complete coursework at a slower pace
MA Examples:
- Northeastern University – Doctor of Law and Policy (DLP)
- UMass Boston – PhD in Public Policy
Fully Funded Doctoral Programs
Best for: Research-focused students seeking financial support.
- Cover tuition and fees, often with a living stipend
- Require participation as research or teaching assistants
MA Examples:
- Boston University – PhD in Biomedical Engineering
- Harvard University – PhD in Psychology
No-GRE Doctoral Programs
Best for: Applicants with strong professional or academic backgrounds.
- Waive GRE requirements in favor of work experience, GPA, and recommendations
MA Examples:
- Northeastern University – Doctor of Education (EdD)
- UMass Boston – PhD in Nursing
Accelerated Doctoral Programs
Best for: Motivated students who want to finish faster.
- Can be completed in 3–4 years, depending on field and format
- Often focus on professional practice instead of research
MA Examples:
- Northeastern University – EdD (Online, 3 years)
- Boston University – Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
No-Dissertation Doctoral Programs
Best for: Professionals in applied or clinical fields.
- Replace a dissertation with a capstone project, portfolio, or clinical practicum
- Common in education, business, and healthcare
MA Examples:
- UMass Lowell – Doctor of Education
- Northeastern University – Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Popular Doctoral Fields in Massachusetts
Education
Massachusetts is a great state to earn a doctorate or PhD degree in education because of the variety of programs.
A PhD in education can lead you to a wide range of career paths, including leadership roles in school systems, learning design, multicultural and specialized education, college-level instruction, administration, and public policy.
Examples of On-Campus Programs
Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Nursing
Obtaining a doctorate or PhD in nursing in Massachusetts opens doors and gets you on track for advanced leadership positions within the healthcare area. It also allows you to expand your specialized skills in a rapidly growing field.
Examples of On-Campus Programs
Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Psychology
Earning a PhD in psychology in Massachusetts prepares you to dive into, and lead, groundbreaking research or start your career as a clinical psychologist or research lead in human behavior and mental processes.
Be sure you’re earning an accredited degree in a program recognized by the American Psychological Association.
Examples of On-Campus Programs
Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Business
Graduating with a PhD in business opens a plethora of career pathways for students.
A doctoral business program will accelerate your career, leading to exclusive research opportunities, prestigious leadership and management roles in companies, and the opportunity to develop and apply new theories and specialized knowledge in accounting, management, marketing, strategy, and technology.
Examples of On-Campus Programs
Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Engineering
Whether your focus is on electrical, computer, civil, biomedical, polymer science, mechanical, industrial, or environmental engineering, continuing your education by obtaining a doctorate degree in engineering further sets you up for career success.
A PhD in engineering in Massachusetts allows you to start research programs, work with new technologies, become a respected expert in your field, and even continue on an academic track as a faculty member.
Examples of On-Campus Programs
Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Earning Your PhD or Doctorate Online in Massachusetts
Earning a doctoral degree requires a high level of commitment and dedication. Not only is it an investment in your career, but it’s also a major time commitment as well. Thankfully, more higher-level education institutions offer hybrid and online PhD and doctoral programs in Massachusetts, allowing students the same high-quality education as in-person programs but with more flexibility.
Various schools offer fully online PhD programs in Massachusetts, allowing students to work remotely without visiting campus while benefiting from a global education community. The University of Massachusetts Amherst encourages prospective PhD and doctorate students to explore its 10 online programs, which include accounting, education, finance, hospitality and tourism management, management, marketing, nursing, nutrition, operations and information management, and sociology. The University of Massachusetts Global also allows students to search for online-specific doctoral programs, as does Boston University. Northeastern University offers six doctoral programs, either 100% online or with a part-time in-class component, including workshops, seminars, or special class sessions for core or lab classes.
For students specifically seeking to earn a PhD in education, four schools in Massachusetts offer a doctor of education program online: Bay Path University, Boston College, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. These programs only require students to make a few trips to campus for required residencies, usually once per academic year.
While Harvard University doesn’t offer fully online doctoral programs, the Ivy League school does offer an extensive catalog of certificate-based online courses and multi-week programs, including business, professional development for educators, and medical education.
To learn more about quality online doctoral programs in Massachusetts, review our 2024 college rankings below.
Ranking the Best Online Doctorates in Massachusetts
American International College offers fully online and hybrid programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. To set up distance learners for success, the school offers an orientation class to help them become accustomed to online learning and the school's specific technology tools. Students have access to academic support services, including writing and editing assistance, virtual advising, and tutoring. There is also technology support that helps students navigate the school's learning management system and library services, and more personal support includes access to an online employment database. On the doctoral level, American International College offers a post-professional occupational therapy doctorate degree. This program is for practitioners who have earned a master's and want to prepare for a leadership position in occupational therapy settings, teach, or conduct research. This degree, which is offered entirely online, takes about two years to complete.
Program Highlights:
Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate
- Credits: 30
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $1,175/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio17
If you're interested in pursuing graduate study online, Endicott College has a variety of degree programs, including master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificate programs. For example, the school offers a PhD in education, which prepares people to conduct education research that adds to the knowledge base of the field. There are two concentrations offered for this degree: curriculum and teacher education, and higher education. In the curriculum and teacher education concentration, you will learn about advanced curriculum theory and teacher development, which you can use to work in a teacher preparation program. In the higher education concentration, you can prepare for leadership roles in colleges and universities. You will learn about the political, sociocultural, administrative, and financial influences that affect higher education. No matter which concentration you choose, you'll have the opportunity to take advantage of a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.
Program Highlights:
Applied Behavior Analysis PhD
- Credits: 60
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $7,376/semester
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Nursing PhD
- Credits: 45
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $49,680 for program
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Education PhD
- Credits: 60
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $3,300/class
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio13
For over 100 years, Bay Path University has been dedicated to providing career education programs that allow students to respond to the cultural, economic, and technological influences that drive the workforce. The school has always prided itself on creating innovative solutions to learning, so it's no surprise that Bay Path has online programs to provide flexibility to professionals who want to advance in their education. One of the online doctoral programs is the Doctor of Health Science, which is completed 100% online. The program has several diverse concentrations, so whether you're interested in focusing on health informatics management, leadership and negotiation, productive aging, or public health, you will have the opportunity to sharpen your expertise in a specific subsection of health science. Bay Path also allows you to learn with a small group of students, so your experience is more interactive and you receive more attention from instructors.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Health Science
- Credits: 48
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $995/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
EdD in Educational Leadership
- Credits: 42
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $995/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation New England Commission of Higher Education
Occupational Therapy Doctorate
- Credits: 36-54
- Length: 2-4 years
- Cost: $1,060/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio12
Founded in 1899, Simmons University was established to provide women with a liberal arts education that would help them expand their futures. With its well-established, student-centered philosophy, the school now offers coeducational online doctoral programs that are created with the same passion for excellence that Simmons had when it first opened. The proof of its effectiveness is in its record: Since launching its first online program in 2013, over 4,000 students have earned degrees from the school virtually. Simmons offers doctoral degrees in social work, nursing, health professions education, and behavior analysis online. All of these programs focus heavily on collaboration, so students from around the country have the opportunity to share ideas and explore their perspectives in a safe, welcoming environment. In addition to weekly online class sessions, students participate in live chats, small group breakout sessions, and interactive whiteboards.
Program Highlights:
PhD in Behavior Analysis
- Credits: 48
- Length: 4-7 years
- Cost: $1,158/credit
- Mode Fully online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
PhD in Health Professions Education
- Credits: 48
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $1,300/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Doctorate of Social Work
- Credits: 48
- Length: 2-3 years
- Cost: $1,148/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio9
Regis College offers online degrees that provide the flexibility busy adult learners need without compromising on the quality of curriculum traditional students enjoy. For nurses who want advancement, the school offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree that allows them to enroll whether they have graduate school experience or not. If you have a bachelor's degree and know you want to continue to the doctoral level, the school has a BSN to DNP degree offered fully online. There are several nursing specialties you can concentrate your studies on, including women's health, pediatric, and family nursing. If you're a nurse who already has a master's, you can earn the MSN to DNP degree, which is a great choice if you want to enter a leadership position, conduct clinical research, or practice the highest level of nursing. To help you prepare for the next steps in your career, Regis College offers courses in advanced epidemiology, healthcare informatics, and advanced research methods.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP)
- Credits: 27-76
- Length: 2-4 years
- Cost: $1,425/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio10
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio18
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio14
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio11
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio15
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio18
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio12
Unlocking Financial Aid for Your Massachusetts PhD
According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of earning a doctorate degree is $103,700. While the price tag is high, don’t let that stop you from enrolling in a program and becoming a respected expert in your field. Several financial aid opportunities are available to doctoral students in Massachusetts to help offset the costs of earning their degrees. From scholarships and grants, fellowships, work-study programs, and graduate research assistantships, you’ll have many options to consider to help fund your PhD or professional doctorate degree in Massachusetts. Check out these options to learn more:
- American Association of University Women – Has awarded more than $135 million in fellowships and grants to more than 13,000 scholars and organizations in 50 states; Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; Gaum; and 150 other countries, making this one of the world’s largest scholarship programs for women.
- American Psychological Association – Offers a range of fellowships and scholarships for graduate psychology students.
- Boston University’s Fully Funded PhD Programs – Boston University’s PhD programs on the Charles River Campus subscribe to a full funding model. This system guarantees all PhD students in good standing five years of stipend support, a 100% tuition scholarship, and a health insurance credit.
- Fulbright Program – An international program from the U.S. State Department with hundreds of research and fellowship opportunities worldwide.
- Harvard College Griffin Financial Aid Office – The Griffin Financial Aid Office provides need-based aid that allows the school to bring the best students to Harvard, regardless of their ability to pay. About 20% of students pay nothing to attend, and more than half receive need-based scholarships.
- MIT Finding Fellowships – The institute receives funds from individual donors and corporations for fellowships and scholarships. In addition, government agencies and foundations offer fellowships that they award either directly to outstanding students for use at institutions of their choice or, in a few cases, to institutions to administer on behalf of students.
- Northeastern University Fellowships – Offers graduate students the opportunity to apply their talents at research centers, universities, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. Students refine their skills as they work to address issues of regional, national, and international importance.
- University of Massachusetts Amherst Office of National Scholarship Advisement – Acts as a campus representative for a nationally renowned and competitive scholarship portfolio.
- University of Massachusetts Boston Scholarships & Fellowships – Nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships available for University of Massachusetts Boston students.
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Scholarships & Fellowships – Nationally competitive, discipline-specific scholarships and fellowships targeted at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth students.
- University of Massachusetts Lowell Office of National Scholarships – Allows students to apply to more than 500 University of Massachusetts Lowell endowed and internal scholarships with one application, as well as University of Massachusetts system scholarships and other national opportunities.
- Valuing Diversity PhD Scholarship – Awarded to an underrepresented minority doctoral student who has completed at least one year of doctoral study in marketing or advertising.
Income Outlook for Doctorate Holders in Massachusetts
While earning a PhD or professional doctorate in Massachusetts requires a significant investment of both time and money, the long-term benefits make it all worth it. Along with excelling in your field, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average PhD or doctorate degree holder earns a median weekly rate of $2,109. This is 34% more than bachelor’s degree holders who earn $1,493/week and 19% more than master’s degree holders who earn $1,737/week. Some career fields, including being an economist, human resource executive, professor, or nurse practitioner, yield higher earnings. For Massachusetts specifically, a professional with a doctorate living and working in Boston averages $151,830 per year.
Study the table below to learn about earning potential for popular careers requiring a doctorate or PhD degree.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings (2024) | 90th Percentile Earnings (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Manager | PhD in Computer Science | $203,300 | $239,200+ |
| Economist | PhD in Economics | $103,170 | $216,900 |
| Aerospace Engineer | PhD in Engineering | $152,210 | $204,760 |
| Human Resources Executive | Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $176,510 | $239,200+ |
| Nurse Practitioner | Doctor of Nursing Practice | $138,890 | $205,230 |
| Physical Therapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | $102,260 | $128,160 |
| Physicist | PhD in Physics | $153,890 | $222,390 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | PhD in Education | $83,620 | $208,000 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD); PhD in Psychology | $128,180 | $167,400 |
| Education Administrators (Postsecondary) | Doctor of Education (EdD) | $122,970 | $215,950 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025