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Doctoral Degrees

Doctoral Degrees: Types, Costs, Salaries & Top Programs

A doctoral degree is the highest academic credential you can earn. It signals mastery of a field, either by producing original research (a PhD) or by applying advanced knowledge in professional practice (a professional doctorate such as the EdD, DNP, or DBA). This guide covers the types of doctoral degrees, how long they take, what they cost, what they pay, and where to find the right program by subject, format, and state.

Doctoral degree at a glance

  • Typical length: 3 to 7 years depending on field, format, and dissertation requirements
  • Federal loan limit for new graduate borrowers (from July 1, 2026): $20,500 per year and $100,000 aggregate for most doctoral programs; $50,000 per year and $200,000 aggregate for qualifying professional programs
  • Median weekly earnings, doctoral degree holders (2024): $2,278 (vs. $1,840 with a master's degree)
  • Unemployment rate, doctoral degree holders (2024): 1.2%, the lowest of any education level

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Education Pays 2024 (workers age 25+); One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) federal loan provisions.

What Is a Doctoral Degree?

Doctoral programs combine advanced coursework, qualifying exams, and a major culminating project: a dissertation, capstone, or clinical project. Most require a master's degree, though some accept students straight from a bachelor's.

Before you commit several years, read whether a doctorate degree is right for you. For a full rundown of the options, see our complete list of doctoral degrees.

Types of Doctoral Degrees

Research doctorates (PhD). Focused on producing original research that advances a field. Common for academic, research, and senior policy careers.

Professional doctorates. Focused on applying research to practice in fields like education (EdD), nursing (DNP), business (DBA), psychology (PsyD), healthcare administration (DHA), and law (JD). Our guide to the differences between a professional doctorate and a PhD explains which fits your goals.

After a doctorate, some researchers pursue further training; learn what a post-doctoral position involves.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Doctoral Degree?

Professional doctorates often take three to four years, while PhDs commonly take five or more, with the dissertation as the biggest variable. Faster options exist: compare the shortest online doctoral programs, 18-month doctorate programs without a dissertation, and doctoral programs that accept transfer credits.

How Much Does a Doctoral Degree Cost?

Many full-time PhD students receive tuition waivers and stipends through assistantships and fellowships. Professional and online doctorates are more often self-funded, so cost comparisons matter more. Start with how to pay for a doctoral degree, then compare the most affordable online PhD and doctoral degrees.

Federal borrowing changed on July 1, 2026. Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers, and most doctoral students can now borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal loans, with a higher $50,000 limit only for qualifying professional programs such as law and medicine. Education leaders can also review grants and scholarships for doctoral students in educational leadership.

Online Doctoral Degrees

Online doctorates from accredited universities follow the same academic standards as campus programs, often with short in-person residencies. Compare the best online PhD and doctoral programs, then look at flexible formats: self-paced PhD and doctoral programs and competency-based doctoral degrees.

Doctoral Degree Salary: Is It Worth It?

Doctoral degree holders earned a median of $2,278 per week in 2024, and professional degree holders earned $2,363, the highest of any education level. The payoff is strongest in healthcare, business, technology, and leadership roles.

For a look at flexible learning models across every degree level, see our overview of competency-based education.

Browse Doctoral Degrees by Subject

Find programs, rankings, and career guides for your field.

Healthcare & Medical

Rankings

Program guide

Careers & outcomes

Nursing

Program directory

Rankings

Business, Management & Finance

Program directory

Rankings

Program guide

Careers & outcomes

Computers, IT & Data

Program directory

Rankings

Program guide

Cybersecurity & AI

Program directory

Rankings

Education

Program directory

Rankings

Program guide

Careers & outcomes

Psychology, Counseling & Social Work

Program directory

Rankings

Program guide

Careers & outcomes

Criminal Justice, Law & Security

Rankings

Program guide

Engineering, Trades & Technology

Program directory

Arts, Media & Communication

Program directory

Social Sciences, Humanities & Religion

Rankings

Program guide

Careers & outcomes

Browse All Doctoral Programs

Doctoral Degrees by State

In-state public schools often charge far less, even for online programs. Find options in your state.

Affordable Online PhD & Doctoral Degrees by state: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Doctoral Degrees at Specific Schools

Program details, costs, and requirements at individual schools and providers.

Doctoral Degree FAQs

What's the difference between a PhD and a doctorate? A PhD is one type of doctorate, focused on original research. Professional doctorates such as the EdD, DNP, and DBA focus on applying research to practice. See professional doctorate vs. PhD.

Do you need a master's degree to get a doctorate? Usually, but not always. Some programs admit students directly from a bachelor's degree and award a master's along the way.

Can you get a doctorate without a dissertation? Yes. Many professional doctorates replace the traditional dissertation with an applied capstone or project. Compare doctorate programs without a dissertation.

Is a doctoral degree worth it? It can be. Doctoral degree holders had a 1.2% unemployment rate and median weekly earnings of $2,278 in 2024, according to BLS data. The return depends heavily on field and on how much you borrow.

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