Ranking: Top Online EdD Programs in 2024
Online EdD programs have become increasingly popular among mid-career educators who wish to attain the highest levels of leadership. However, selecting the right program can be challenging. It is essential to comprehend accreditation requirements, evaluate costs, and ensure the program format is flexible enough to accommodate a busy schedule. Our college rankings provide an excellent starting point, listing the top online EdD programs based on key criteria such as affordability, accreditation, and the level of student support services provided. Discover which schools rose to the top in 2024 and identify the online EdD program that best suits your needs.
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
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).
- 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.
- Career placement and academic counseling services.
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings, followed by online learning and academic quality metrics (equally weighted).
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of graduate students at the school taking at least one class online.
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for graduate students per academic year.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Schools with lower ratios ranked higher.
- Percentage of students admitted. More selective schools ranked higher.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Whether you're a seasoned teacher who wants to move into administrative roles or you're an education student who wants to get a terminal degree to instruct the future teachers of your community's schools, the Doctor of Education program at Regent University can help you achieve your goals. Designed for those who want to pursue jobs as school principals, superintendents, university professors, or instructional coordinators, this program focuses on education innovation. When you graduate, you should have a deep understanding of the seminal scholarly research and the skills needed to apply the theory to administration practice. The program has several concentrations to choose from, so you can focus your studies on areas such as educational psychology, adult education, higher education leadership and management, or curriculum and instruction.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Education
- Credits: 61
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $800/credit
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
2
Muncie, Indiana
When you earn a doctorate in education administration and supervision from Ball State University, you'll develop the advanced knowledge and skills needed to be an effective school administrator. You'll also have the opportunity to earn a superintendent's license, which is required for administrators in Indiana. This online program gives busy educators maximum flexibility because they're able to take courses on an asynchronous basis. This means you don't have to worry about attending prescheduled lectures that would cut into your busy professional calendar. In addition to taking classes that cover fiscal management, education finance and ethics, and human resource development, you also participate in an internship to get hands-on experience working in a leadership role at a school. During this time, you'll be supervised by a seasoned administrator to see how they handle the daily challenges of their jobs.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision
- Credits: 90
- Length: 5 years
- Cost: $451/credit in-state; $676/credit out-of-state
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: CAEP
3
Gainesville, Georgia
Brenau University's doctorate of education degree program allows you to learn from those who understand the challenges of school administration best—professionals who have had leadership roles in public and private schools. This online program allows you to concentrate on one of five topics: elementary education, higher education leadership, higher education teaching and learning, middle grades education, and special education. No matter which path you choose, you'll be required to participate in two weekend residencies on campus in addition to completing online coursework. Also, a dissertation is required, where students use the qualitative and quantitative research methods they've honed to conduct original studies.
Program Highlights:
Doctor of Education
- Credits: 60
- Length: 3 years
- Cost: $1037/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
4
Natchitoches, Louisiana
5
River Forest, Illinois
6
Mississippi State, Mississippi
7
Commerce, Texas
8
Kennesaw, Georgia
9
Lubbock, Texas
10
Clemson, South Carolina
11
Cedar Falls, Iowa
12
Greeley, Colorado
13
Huntsville, Texas
14
College Station, Texas
15
Washington, District of Columbia
16
Bloomington, Indiana
17
Manhattan, Kansas
18
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
19
Biddeford, Maine
20
Boston, Massachusetts
Types of Online Doctorates in Education
Given the professional goals and demographics of most EdD students, online EdD programs are typically designed for working professionals and individuals with family or personal obligations. As a result, EdD programs available online are developed with flexibility in mind, often allowing students to self-pace. Students will be happy to find that numerous options exist for online doctorates in education that can bring their professional goals within reach. These options include:
Full-Time Online EdD Programs
Prospective students frequently inquire about the expected length of time required to complete an online EdD program when reviewing program brochures and websites. Most programs estimate that completion will take approximately three years. However, this timeframe is based on full-time study, which generally involves taking one to three courses per semester year-round for three semesters per year. A full-time course load is ideal for individuals who wish to earn their degree quickly and have a professional and personal schedule that can accommodate it.
Part-Time EdD Programs Online
While most EdD programs offer a full-time track to accommodate students with full-time jobs, some individuals may have additional professional or personal obligations that make it challenging to manage even this accommodating curriculum. In such cases, a part-time track may be a better option, allowing students to more effectively balance work, family, and community responsibilities with their studies. This option is also well-suited for individuals who are not in a hurry to complete their degree and prefer a learning style that is less pressured. Typically, a part-time curriculum adds one to two years to the overall length of time required to complete an online EdD program.
Hybrid or Blended
Many online programs that offer the Doctor of Education have their coursework available 100% online, including the capstone project or dissertation. But some schools may have on-campus requirements before graduation, such as a dissertation defense that must be conducted in-person before a committee. These EdD programs can be considered as hybrid or blended online programs, with elements of in-person and online coursework. While not as convenient as programs that are 100% online, they can still be desirable if you wish to have face-to-face interactions with faculty, advisors, and fellow classmates.
Online EdD with No GRE
Many schools require applicants to submit their GRE or other standardized test scores as part of the admissions process, particularly at more competitive programs and well-known schools. However, not all individuals interested in pursuing an EdD can afford the time and expense required to prepare for and take this exam. In recognition of this additional challenge, some schools have made the GRE optional or replaced it with another application item, such as a writing assessment. Some schools have even eliminated the GRE requirement altogether.
Online EdD Program Concentrations
In recognition of the diversity of the education field, most EdD programs online make available a host of concentrations or specializations for students to focus on. Some are fairly common while others are more unique. If you’re interested in a common concentration, you have a wider range of programs to choose from. If you’re interested in one that’s less common, understand that you’ll have a far more limited number of programs you can consider. We discuss some of the more popular concentrations below.
Leadership
When most people think of a successful school, they think of great teachers and disciplined students. But creating this environment conducive for learning is not so simple. It takes the ability to manage multiple individuals at different levels and various areas of expertise. EdD students who focus on this area of specialization will learn how to create this successful learning environment. This includes learning communication, management, and analytical skills to coordinate the many moving parts within an academic setting.
Curriculum & Instructions
This concentration focuses on the development of research-based theories and principles to create the most effective learning environment possible for teachers and students. This means creating strategic academic goals and a curriculum that’s able to meet those goals. The curriculum will focus mostly on the classroom setting, but EdD students may learn about improving education within a corporate setting as well.
Higher Education
As its name implies, this concentration places an emphasis on education at the post-secondary level, primarily in colleges and universities. The curriculum will focus on learning styles and considerations of adult learners. Coursework will examine past, current and potential future issues in higher learning, including policy, governance, finance, and diversity in not just the academic setting, but government, nonprofit, and corporate settings as well.
Quantitative Methods in Education
This concentration is tailored for individuals who prefer numbers, statistics and using quantitative methods for policy analysis. The classes will therefore not only cover quantitative methods for research and data analysis, but also teach students to apply these findings to modify existing teaching methods, engage in independent research, and shift academic policy within an organizational setting.
How Much Does an Online EdD Cost?
The cost of obtaining an online EdD degree can vary significantly depending on several factors, including state of residency, type of school (public versus private), prior academic coursework, pace of learning, time to completion, and the availability of scholarships, grants, or other forms of gift-based financial aid. It is difficult to provide an exact figure for the cost of an EdD program. However, we have compiled a selection of various schools with online EdD programs to provide you with a rough idea of what you can expect in terms of tuition.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of New England Online | 51 | $920 | $46,920 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 48 to 54 | $1,458 | $69,984 to $78,732 |
| Capella University | 64 (quarter credits) | $745 | $47,680 |
| Baylor University | 54 | $1,785 | $96,390 |
| Vanderbilt University | 54 | $1,938 | $104,652 |
How Long Do Online EdD Programs Take?
It’s hard to predict how long an EdD program will take due to the self-pacing provided by an online curriculum. In addition, there’s the final capstone project or dissertation, where students have some flexibility on how long they can take to complete it. But generally speaking, the typical student will take about three years to complete their EdD degree when taking classes full-time. Many programs allow for an extra few years for students to complete the required coursework as well as their dissertation or capstone project.
EdD vs PhD in Education: What’s the Difference?
The EdD, or Doctor of Education, is similar to the PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, in that they are both terminal degrees in the education realm. However, they are not necessarily interchangeable. Depending on your career goals and desired job, one degree is far more useful and appropriate than the other.
For example, the EdD is best suited for those wishing to work in an administrative role concerning education policy and strategy. In contrast, a PhD is better suited for those who wish to work in academia, whether it be teaching future education leaders, developing post-secondary education curriculums to train future teachers, or engaging in research.
What Are the Admissions Requirements for an Online EdD Program?
Admissions requirements for online EdD programs vary by school and program. Some of the general requirements for a doctorate program in education include:
Online application
Transcripts for all post-secondary education
Letters of recommendation
Personal statement
Application fee
Curriculum vitae or resume
Proof of an undergraduate and master’s degree
However, students applying to some of the more competitive programs, or those interested in a specific concentration, may also be required to provide:
GRE or other standardized test scores
A minimum undergraduate GPA (usually at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
Writing sample
Proof of a minimum amount of relevant professional experience
Do You Need to Complete a Dissertation?
The majority of EdD online programs culminate in a dissertation or capstone project. Dissertations typically involve theoretical research resulting in a research project that must be defended before a committee. In contrast, a capstone project usually involves a different type of deliverable, such as a report or portfolio, and focuses on a practical problem or issue. However, in most EdD programs, the differences between a dissertation and capstone project are relatively minor. Both provide opportunities for students to engage in research and apply what they have learned to a practical issue or concern within the education field.
