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Compare Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Compare Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Why This Matters

Our Research

This list features some of the best online doctorate in educational leadership 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 educational leadership 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.

  • 69 hours to write this article
  • 100 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 146 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs

Top Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs Badge
01

Liberty University
01

Ball State University
01

University of Arkansas
01

East Carolina University
01

Texas Tech University
01

Appalachian State University
01

Colorado State University
01

Central Michigan University
01

Lamar University
01

Florida State University
01

East Tennessee State University
01

Carson-Newman University
01

University of the Cumberlands
01

Northwest Nazarene University
01

Clarkson College
01

University of Kentucky
01

Drexel University
01

Abilene Christian University
01

Andrews University
01

Concordia University Chicago
01

American University
01

National University
01

UMass Lowell
01

City University of Seattle
01

Rowan University
01

Arizona State University
01

Edgewood College
01

Belhaven University
01

Fordham University
01

University of Missouri
01

JHU School of Education
01

Arkansas State University
01

Maryville University
01

University of Memphis
01

Morehead State University
01

Wilmington University
01

Baylor University
01

Nova Southeastern University
01

Regent University
01

St. Thomas University
01

Vanderbilt University
01

University of Florida
01

Union University
01

California State University
01

Southwestern College
01

Minnesota State University Moorhead
01

Indiana State University
01

North Greenville University
01

University of North Dakota
01

University of Southern California

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What You Should Know About This Degree

You can pursue educational leadership studies in a PhD or EdD program. PhD programs have a greater focus on research, while EdD programs are aimed at practitioners who intend to become educational leaders. You may also see educational administration programs, which are focused on preparing future principals.

Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.

School principals are licensed in the state where they work. Other career paths that may require certification include instructional coordinator and school superintendent. People choosing to enter the corporate world in jobs such as chief learning officer are unlikely to need certification.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in educational leadership programs:

  • How long does it take to complete this online degree? Online doctorate in educational leadership programs are generally completed over three years of full-time study. Coursework is completed in the first two years and students focus on their dissertation in the third. There are also accelerated programs and part-time study options available.
  • What licensing or certifications are required? If you plan to become a school principal, you will need a license in the relevant state. All states have different requirements for school principals, but for most you’ll need a master’s degree at minimum, plus teaching experience and certification.

As you research, make sure you keep track of application deadlines and the information you need to submit when you apply. This information is available from school websites or the admissions department.

You should also consider how to pay for your education by researching scholarships, grants, and subsidized loans. Also, check if your employer offers tuition assistance.


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