To earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree — or PhD, as they’re more commonly called — is perhaps the highest academic achievement. Not only do you prove your top-notch research skills through these programs, but you also gain expertise in your respective field and boost your career prospects. And Pennsylvania is a great place to earn a PhD — with the job market for hiring PhD grads notably “very active,” according to some job search sites.
You can earn a doctoral degree in many fields, whether your passions are nursing, business, education, psychology, or something else altogether. So read on to discover the best program for your interests, as this guide will help connect you with reputable PhD programs in Pennsylvania.
Top-Rated PhD and Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania for 2024
What are you looking for in a doctoral program in Pennsylvania? There’s a good chance you’re seeking a school offering high-quality education, flexible study options, and affordability. The programs below make the cut, providing abundant support resources to help you earn your degree and secure your future. Here are three spotlight schools to consider in 2024:
University of Pittsburgh
A leader in scholarly research and training, the University of Pittsburgh offers several quality PhD and doctoral programs for medical and nursing careers as well as careers in higher education, computer science, psychology, and public health. While none of their doctoral programs are offered 100% online, all educational leadership doctoral (EdD) programs are available in hybrid formats, which combine online and in-person learning experiences for busy professionals. And a further benefit: All EdD students pay Pennsylvania tuition rates, no matter where in the United States they live.
Doctoral tuition rates vary among departments at the University of Pittsburgh but range between $1,070 and $2,000 per credit. For example, in the school of education, you’d pay $1,003 per credit as a Pennsylvania resident and $1,728 per credit as a nonresident.
Villanova
If you’re considering a PhD program in Philadelphia in which you’ll study philosophy, theology, or nursing, then Villanova University may be the perfect fit. The university’s philosophy and theology programs are offered only on campus; however, in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, students choose between the post-master’s track and the nurse anesthesia track, which offer online and accelerated options as well as various tuition reduction and scholarship opportunities.
As a PhD student at Villanova, you’ll have up to eight years to earn your degree.
Per-credit rates for religious studies are $808 for graduate students, while the cost of a philosophy PhD is $890 per credit. Doctoral nursing degrees range from $1,300 to $1,525 per credit. Villanova charges $50 in general fees each semester.
University of Pennsylvania
Known for outstanding graduate and professional programs, the University of Pennsylvania boasts a robust catalog of dozens of PhD degrees among 12 notable schools. Along with a variety of traditional on-campus courses, the university offers online doctoral degrees in nursing practice and clinical social work.
Penn students benefit from a wealth of online resources for PhD students, a graduate student center, and a leave of absence policy for those who face unanticipated events and emergencies while studying.
Tuition rates vary between programs but usually cost around $45,000 per year for full tuition and $7,400 for reduced tuition. Since the University of Pennsylvania is committed to making graduate school affordable, PhD and doctoral students can apply for funding opportunities that include research assistantships, apprenticeships, and fellowships.
Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Available in Pennsylvania
No matter how you’re hoping to earn your doctoral degree — full-time, part-time, online, hybrid or something else altogether — there’s an option for you. Below, discover the most common delivery methods of PhD programs in Pennsylvania. Read more about them, and see which choice is right for you.
Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
Most full-time PhD and doctoral programs in Pennsylvania take between four and six years to complete. Incoming full-time students can expect to begin with two years of coursework before taking qualifying exams or beginning their dissertation.
Full-time programs are the most common type of doctoral program, so they’re available in most disciplines, usually on campus. Two examples of quality full-time PhD programs in Pennsylvania include Wharton College’s PhD in Health Care Management and Economics and the University of Pennsylvania’s PhD in Higher Education.
Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
Part-time PhD and doctoral programs are designed for students with busy lives. These programs tend to take twice as long to complete as full-time programs, with students spending six to eight years in school. Two great part-time doctoral programs available in Pennsylvania are Rockhurst University’s Online EdD in Education and Leadership and Drexel University’s Doctorate in Education.
Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
Universities commonly offer fully funded PhD and doctoral degrees in Pennsylvania and across the nation. In these programs, students typically receive a living stipend, health insurance, and tuition assistance in exchange for teaching or conducting research for the university. Two examples of popular, fully funded doctoral programs in Pennsylvania are Drexel University’s PhD in Education and Drexel’s EdD in Educational Leadership and Management.
No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
GRE scores are a common application requirement for graduate schools. However, some doctoral programs do not require GRE scores. For many students, the GRE is an inaccessible barrier to entry, so many schools have created admission requirements that allow students to skip this exam. Notable no-GRE PhD programs in Pennsylvania include Slippery Rock University’s Doctor of Education in Special Education and Carnegie Mellon University’s PhD in Computer Science.
Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
While most PhD and doctoral programs require four to seven years of study, you can earn your degree faster than traditional students in an accelerated program. Some of these programs are designed to last only one year; most last less than three years. Accelerated doctoral programs in Pennsylvania include the Doctor of Physical Therapy at Neumann University.
No Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
PhD programs are known for their heavy dissertation requirements — large scholarly projects that can take years to write. But not every PhD program in Pennsylvania requires dissertations. In no-dissertation PhD programs, you might complete hands-on capstone projects where you apply what you’ve learned in a professional environment or work on smaller research projects. Two popular, no-dissertation programs in Pennsylvania are Duquesne University’s Philosophy of Engaged Learning and The University of Scranton’s DNP in Nurse Anesthesia.
Top Fields for Earning Your PhD or Doctoral Degree in Pennsylvania
Accounting
If you’re a finance or business professional who values accounting theory and practice, you can soar in a PhD in accounting program. Accounting PhD students prepare for rewarding careers in academia or as researchers or financial analysts. The field attracts professionals from diverse academic backgrounds, including economics, statistics, and mathematics, especially as these fields relate to accounting research.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Nursing
Earning a nursing degree lets you move beyond the work of a registered nurse and into leadership, academic, or administrative roles, where you can do more to improve healthcare. Nursing doctoral and PhD programs in Pennsylvania create skilled, competitive healthcare professionals who work in a variety of specializations that include nurse practitioners, neonatal nursing, and psychiatric mental health nursing.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Health Science
If you see yourself as a future expert in the health and wellness field, consider a doctoral degree in health science. These degrees attract a range of different professionals, from physical therapists and occupational therapists to nurses, chemists, and biologists. This degree will give you all the necessary knowledge and tools to advance human health through scholarship and research.
Quality Example of On-Campus Program
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Psychology
Earn a PhD in psychology, and you’ll grow beyond general knowledge to obtain expertise in your chosen specialization. A PhD will make you competitive as a clinical psychologist if that’s your calling. But if your career goals include research or academia, you’ll need a PhD to get there.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Education
Professionals eager to master educational theory while diversifying their career choices tend to pursue PhD and doctoral degrees in education. The degree offers several specializations like curriculum and instruction, educational technology, policy, counselor education, and educational leadership. Education PhD holders can pursue academic leadership roles or research and teaching positions in higher education.
Quality Example of On-Campus Program
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Earning Your PhD or Professional Doctorate Online in Pennsylvania
If you’re a busy professional, you may need the flexibility of online learning modalities rather than an on-campus learning environment. Fortunately, many PhD programs in Pennsylvania are available in both fully online and hybrid formats. All online and hybrid programs work differently, but many of them allow you to learn asynchronously and set your own hours.
Online and hybrid PhD and doctoral programs are most common in schools that belong to major university systems. The flexibility of these programs tends to consist of a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning environments, where some parts of the curriculum require you to go to campus for classes or for research or clinical hours while you complete the bulk of your coursework online.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Doctor of Social Work is a hybrid program that combines in-person learning with online coursework. By contrast, the Pennsylvania State World Campus offers popular, fully online doctoral programs, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Doctor of Engineering, where students complete all research and coursework online.
To help you find a PhD or professional doctorate program you can feel confident about, we’ve listed the best universities in Pennsylvania offering online doctoral programs. Learn more about which schools rose to the top this year in our college rankings below.
Best Online Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania for 2024
A collaboration between California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and Edinboro University, Pennsylvania Western University provides students with a wide array of online doctoral programs to choose from. There's the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, which has a hybrid format of online coursework and in-person clinical internships. The Doctorate in Health and Science and Exercise Leadership is a fully online program and ideal for those looking to learn advanced skills and knowledge relating to improving health through disease prevention and wellness. The Doctor of Education in Education Administration and Leadership includes a capstone project and provides students with a state-approved Superintendent Letter of Eligibility. Finally, there's the Doctor of Criminal Justice. The curriculum begins with a five-day residency (that can be completed in person or online), followed by about 24 months of online coursework.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Credits: 27
- Length: 6 semesters
- Cost: $516/credit (resident) and $774/credit (nonresident)
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: CCNE
Doctorate in Health Science and Exercise Leadership
- Credits: 48
- Length: 2-3 years
- Cost: $516/credit (resident) and $774/credit (nonresident)
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
Doctor of Criminal Justice
- Credits: 42
- Length: 2-3 years
- Cost: $516/credit (resident) and $774/credit (nonresident)
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio19
Cabrini University offers two online doctoral programs. For educators and school administrators, there's the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. This is a hybrid program in which students progress through the program as a cohort. Courses last eight weeks and consist of online synchronous courses and on-campus courses. Most students complete the program in about three years but can take longer if necessary. Students choose from four concentrations: District Leadership, PreK-12 School Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, and Curriculum and Instruction leadership. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organization Development and Change is a degree for established professionals. By completing online synchronous and blended courses, students develop the skills to lead and learn advanced concepts and theories about organizational leadership, with a goal of developing and implementing their own leadership principles.
Program Highlights:
EdD in Educational Leadership
- Credits: 54
- Length: 3-4 years
- Cost: $830/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
PhD in Organization Development and Change
- Credits: 70
- Length: About 3 years
- Cost: $26,010/year
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio14
The online Executive Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership and Innovation is one of the newer programs at Saint Francis University. It follows a hybrid model of online classes and on-campus residencies to facilitate group learning and networking. Incoming classes are arranged into cohorts, and each residency occurs over a weekend (one per semester). To save time, coursework and dissertation preparation occur simultaneously throughout the program. After completing the curriculum, students will be better prepared to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their organization by applying sustainable, ethical, and innovative strategies. Even though this is an EdD, the program is helpful to almost any professional, whether they work in education, business, nonprofits, governments, or healthcare.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Innovation
- Credits: 51
- Length: 32 months
- Cost: $6,375/semester
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio14
Slippery Rock University has an online Doctor of Education (EdD) degree that provides two concentration pathways. The first is Special Education and offers coursework to prepare future school administrators overseeing special education teachers. This program is also suited for education professionals seeking to shift into academia who wish to train future special education instructors. Online classes are offered synchronously and asynchronously during the fall and spring, with in-person classes required during the summer. The second concentration pathway is in educational leadership. Among other things, the curriculum examines recent changes to education administration and school regulations to help train future school leaders. Coursework can be completed year-round with 100% online courses. However, students may opt to complete the required Dissertation Seminar in person or online.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Education
- Credits: 60
- Length: About 3 years
- Cost: $516/credit (resident) and $568/credit (nonresident)
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio19
Thomas Jefferson University is one of the premier institutions of higher learning in Philadelphia, so it's no surprise that the school has several online doctoral-level programs to choose from. These include a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which is open to BSN- and MSN-prepared students and consists of both online and in-person curriculum requirements. Students more interested in healthcare policy can enroll in the Doctor of Health Science program, which can be completed fully online. Currently practicing midwives who want to take a more managerial role in their practice can apply to the first-ever professional Doctor of Midwifery program, with mostly online coursework. Lastly, there's the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Population Health Science. This hybrid program consists of asynchronous online and on-campus coursework and provides five areas of specialization.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Health Science
- Credits: 51
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $1,010/credit
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
Doctor of Midwifery
- Credits: 35
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $1,040/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
PhD in Population Health Science
- Credits: 62
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $1,234/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: MSCHE
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio13
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio10
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio12
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio10
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio13
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio11
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio19
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio17
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio11
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio13
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio14
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio11
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio13
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio11
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio10
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio13
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio13
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio10
CounselingYes
PlacementYes
Faculty Ratio15
Unlock Financial Aid for Your Pennsylvania PhD Program
If you’re concerned about paying for your PhD program in Pennsylvania, you can find financial assistance through work-study programs, scholarships and fellowships, various grant opportunities, and graduate research or teaching assistantships.
For example, the Penn State Graduate Schools grants Student Recognition Awards and Distinguished Graduate Fellowships as well as a Graduate Assistant Tuition Rate Eligibility Program, which provides access to Graduate Assistant (GA) tuition rates for eligible graduate students not funded by the university. The school also lists external fellowship opportunities for graduate students.
Similarly, the University of Pennsylvania funds graduate students through scholarships, fellowships, and research assistantships and apprenticeships for doctoral and PhD students. The Pennsylvania State University lists several graduate assistantships in their Women’s, Gender and Sexuality studies program as well as a wealth of college and university funding and award opportunities. And at Temple University, students can apply for the Federal Work-Study program. Students in PhD programs in Pennsylvania can also visit StudentAid.Gov to apply for work-study jobs.
Pennsylvania PhD Degree Holders: Exploring Their Earnings Potential
One of the many perks of earning a PhD is increased pay for degree holders. On average, the weekly wage for professionals with PhD and doctoral degrees nationwide is $335 more than for professionals with master’s degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Take a look at the table below to find BLS data on various professions in Pennsylvania where doctoral degrees turn professionals into high earners.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Research Scientist | PhD in Computer Science | $108,300 | $208,000 |
| Economist | PhD in Economics | $98,400 | $158,920 |
| Historian | PhD in History | $68,790 | $97,480 |
| Human Resources Executive | Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | $120,130 | $206,540 |
| Nurse Practitioner | Doctor of Nursing Practice | $106,700 | $165,900 |
| Physical Therapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | $95,890 | $121,230 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) / PhD in Psychology | $107,540 | $130,210 |
| School Principal/Administrator | Doctor of Education (EdD) | $99,210 | $130,930 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | PhD in Applied Language and Speech Science | $78,670 | $121,630 |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | PhD in Biology | $63,940 | $94,240 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021