Why This Matters
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37% OF POSTSECONDARY ADMINISTRATOR JOBS REQUIRE A DOCTORAL DEGREE
According to O*NET, 37% of postsecondary administrator jobs require a doctorate, while an additional 48% require a master’s degree.
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7,700 MORE POSTSECONDARY ADMINISTRATORS NEEDED BY 2032
The number of jobs for postsecondary administrators is expected to grow 4% over the next decade.
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POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $190,000
Postsecondary administrators earn an average salary of $99,940 per year, with the top 10% making more than $196,420. Completing a doctorate program will help you reach the high end of your salary potential.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online doctorate in higher education degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online doctorate in higher education degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Higher Education degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 51 hours to write this article
- 78 universities and colleges we assessed
- 84 education programs we compared
Best 29 Online Doctorate in Higher Education Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Nova Southeastern University
Intelligent Score: 98.66In-state: $32,370
Out-of-state: $32,370
In-state: $20,618
Out-of-state: $20,618
SAT: 1030-1240
ACT: 20-27
$1,505
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
55
Andrews University
Intelligent Score: 96.49In-state: $29,808
Out-of-state: $29,808
In-state: $27,936
Out-of-state: $27,936
SAT: 1030-1380
ACT: 21-28
$1,471
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60-61
Maryville University
Intelligent Score: 95.53In-state: $24,766
Out-of-state: $24,766
In-state: $14,346
Out-of-state: $14,346
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$922
Online
Higher Learning Commission
48
Gwynedd Mercy University
Intelligent Score: 95.12In-state: $36,027
Out-of-state: $36,027
In-state: $13,967
Out-of-state: $13,967
SAT: 950-1140
ACT: 18-21
$1,076
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
54
Concordia University Chicago
Intelligent Score: 94.36In-state: $32,660
Out-of-state: $32,660
In-state: $9,090
Out-of-state: $9,090
SAT: 990-1180
ACT: 19-25
$753
Online
Higher Learning Commission
61-67
UF College of Education
Intelligent Score: 94.17In-state: $4,477
Out-of-state: $25,694
In-state: $10,770
Out-of-state: $10,770
SAT: 1290-1460
ACT: 29-33
Resident: $518
Non-Resident: $656
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
90
Regent University
Intelligent Score: 93.92In-state: $17,220
Out-of-state: $17,220
In-state: $15,552
Out-of-state: $15,552
SAT: 940-1220
ACT: 21-29
$800
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
67
Colorado State University
Intelligent Score: 92.29In-state: $9,426
Out-of-state: $28,147
In-state: $10,520
Out-of-state: $10,520
SAT: 1070-1280
ACT: 23-29
$945
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
University of Memphis
Intelligent Score: 92.14In-state: $8,208
Out-of-state: $12,048
In-state: $9,216
Out-of-state: $9,216
SAT: 990-1200
ACT: 19-26
$606
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
54
Indiana State University
Intelligent Score: 90.98In-state: $9,186
Out-of-state: $20,290
In-state: $7,668
Out-of-state: $7,668
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Resident: $438
Non-Resident: $861
Online
Higher Learning Commission
72
Saint Peter's University
Intelligent Score: 90.4In-state: $37,660
Out-of-state: $37,660
In-state: $21,186
Out-of-state: $21,186
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$795
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
48
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Intelligent Score: 88.31In-state: $7,770
Out-of-state: $24,900
In-state: $6,138
Out-of-state: $6,138
SAT: 1110-1320
ACT: 22-28
Resident: $357
Non-Resident: $750
Online, Hybrid
Higher Learning Commission
63
Missouri Baptist University
Intelligent Score: 87.46In-state: $27,946
Out-of-state: $27,946
In-state: $10,256
Out-of-state: $10,256
SAT: 840-1050
ACT: 18-23
$769
Online
Higher Learning Commission
42
University of Alabama
Intelligent Score: 87.33In-state: $10,780
Out-of-state: $30,250
In-state: $10,780
Out-of-state: $10,780
SAT: 1070-1330
ACT: 23-31
$740
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
66
University of North Georgia
Intelligent Score: 86.4In-state: $3,969
Out-of-state: $14,123
In-state: $4,140
Out-of-state: $4,140
SAT: 990-1180
ACT: 19-25
$303
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
Liberty University
Intelligent Score: 86.02In-state: $14,791
Out-of-state: $14,791
In-state: $7,935
Out-of-state: $7,935
SAT: 1040-1250
ACT: 21-29
$595 - $650
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
University of Southern Mississippi
Intelligent Score: 83.65In-state: $8,786
Out-of-state: $10,786
In-state: $8,786
Out-of-state: $8,786
SAT: N/A
ACT: 19-26
$519
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
54
University of Mississippi
Intelligent Score: 83.39In-state: $8,718
Out-of-state: $24,990
In-state: $8,718
Out-of-state: $8,718
SAT: 1010-1230
ACT: 22-30
$514
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
48
What You Should Know About This Degree
When researching your degree options, you may be considering the differences between a master’s degree and a doctorate degree. It’s important to keep in mind that while both degrees can prepare you for a successful career in this field, a doctorate degree is more research-based and helps you develop particularly strong analytical skills.
Regardless of the program you choose to enroll yourself in, it’s vital that you choose a school that’s accredited by an approved organization. You can check a school’s accreditation status by visiting the Departent of Education’s accreditation database.
After you obtain your doctorate, there are several professions that you’ll be qualified to enter. That includes college president, provost, academic dean, and professor.
While further licensing and certification isn’t typically required in these professions, you will most likely need to pass a criminal background check prior to working in a school setting.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in higher education programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? The timeline for obtaining a doctorate in higher education online depends on your schedule and level of commitment to completing the program quickly. While some are able to finish and obtain their degree in about two years, most students take between six and eight years to complete doctorate programs.
- Am I eligible for this program? While every school has different prerequisites, most doctorate programs in higher learning require students to have a degree in a similar field of study, such as education.
- What financial aid opportunities are available? With the help of grants, fellowships, and other resources, you may even be able to earn your doctorate for free.
As you research programs that interest you, make sure to keep track of important application information, including special essays you may need to submit and application deadlines. If you need assistance paying for your degree, also be sure to keep track of deadlines for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities.