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2024 Best Grad Schools in the United States for Doctorate Degrees

691 Colleges
$75,260 Avg Salary

There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which grad school to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Doctor's Degree Colleges ranking is part of that endeavor.

What's on This Page: * Our Methodology

Choosing the Best Grad School for You

Quality Badge

Our analysis looked at 691 grad schools in the United States to determine which ones have the best doctorate degree programs. Our ranking for the best grad schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.

Higher Than Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving a doctorate degree from the school. Recent students who earned a doctorate degree in the United States entered the job market making an average of $75,260 while those in the top 20 schools on our list made an average of $88,513.

Starting Salary  ( 75873 to 108281 )
$0
$115,303

Taking Out Student Loans

Graduate students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their doctorate so we factor that into our rankings as well. The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.

More Ranking Factors That Are Important

We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Doctorate Degree Schools ranking. On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.

We go into more detail on these factors on our graduate school ranking methodology page.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
Master's Degrees Ranking Other Graduate Rankings
If you'd rather work on your doctorate degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our rankings by place. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

Not quite ready to work on your doctorate? Check out our Best Master's Degree Schools ranking.

Top Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States

Learn more about these excellent grad schools below:

1
568 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$115,303 Average Early-Career Earnings

Our analysis found Massachusetts Institute of Technology to be the best grad school for doctorate degrees in the United States in this year’s ranking. MIT is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 568 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a doctorate degree from MIT go into careers with an average salary of $115,303 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1,254 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$97,555 Average Early-Career Earnings

The excellent doctorate degree programs at University of Pennsylvania helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,254 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from UPenn make an average of $97,555 a year.

Learn More About University of Pennsylvania

3
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California
1,105 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$98,295 Average Early-Career Earnings

A rank of #3 on our Best Doctorate Degrees in the United States list means Stanford University is a great place for students working on their degree. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 1,105 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, doctorate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $98,295 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Stanford University

4
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
1,444 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$95,158 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #4 in the United States on this year’s best doctorate degree schools ranking. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,444 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a doctorate degree from Harvard go into careers with an average salary of $95,158 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Harvard University

5
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
293 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #5 in the United States on this year’s best doctorate degree schools ranking. Princeton, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate degrees to 293 students in 2020-2021.

Full Princeton University Report

6
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
333 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 333 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Carnegie Mellon University Report

7
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
1,028 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$93,954 Average Early-Career Earnings

Northwestern University landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate degrees to 1,028 students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, doctorate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $93,954 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Northwestern University

8
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
755 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$96,200 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Chicago landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 755 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from UChicago make an average of $96,200 a year.

Learn More About University of Chicago

9
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, Texas
207 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

Rice University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States list. Rice is located in Houston, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 207 doctorate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Learn More About Rice University

10
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
1,914 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$87,196 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,914 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from USC make an average of $87,196 a year.

Learn More About University of Southern California

11
1,187 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$88,876 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of California - Berkeley ranked #11 on this year’s Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 1,187 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a doctorate degree from UC Berkeley make an average of $88,876 per year during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of California - Berkeley

12
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
787 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$91,182 Average Early-Career Earnings

Vanderbilt University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States list. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 787 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from Vanderbilt make an average of $91,182 a year.

Learn More About Vanderbilt University

13
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
1,014 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$105,462 Average Early-Career Earnings

Georgetown University did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #13. Georgetown is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 1,014 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a doctorate degree from Georgetown make an average of $105,462 per year during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Georgetown University

14
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
742 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$91,187 Average Early-Career Earnings

Yale University did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #14. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 742 diplomas to qualifed doctorate degree students in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a doctorate degree from Yale go into careers with an average salary of $91,187 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Yale University

15
185 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$78,856 Average Early-Career Earnings

Teachers College at Columbia University did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #15. Teachers College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 185 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a doctorate degree from Teachers College make an average of $78,856 per year during the early years of their career.

Full Teachers College at Columbia University Report

16
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
949 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$92,967 Average Early-Career Earnings

Duke University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Located in Durham, North Carolina, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 949 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a doctorate degree from Duke make an average of $92,967 per year during the early years of their career.

Full Duke University Report

17
1,502 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$102,938 Average Early-Career Earnings

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 1,502 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from Columbia make an average of $102,938 a year.

Learn More About Columbia University in the City of New York

18
Bentley crest
Bentley University
Waltham, Massachusetts
1 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

Bentley University did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #18. Bentley is located in Waltham, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 doctorate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Full Bentley University Report

19
Suffolk crest
Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts
351 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$56,355 Average Early-Career Earnings

Suffolk University landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 351 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a doctorate degree from Suffolk is $56,355 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Suffolk University

20
Cornell crest
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
777 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$107,405 Average Early-Career Earnings

Cornell University landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Cornell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 777 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a doctorate degree from Cornell is $107,405 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Cornell University

21
577 Doctorate Degrees Awarded

With a ranking of #21, Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus did quite well on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate degrees to 577 students in 2020-2021.

Full Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Report

22
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island
293 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$60,843 Average Early-Career Earnings

Brown University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and it awarded 293 doctorate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a doctorate degree from Brown is $60,843 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Brown University

23
742 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$72,507 Average Early-Career Earnings

Washington University in St Louis came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 742 doctorate degrees to qualified graduate students.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from WUSTL make an average of $72,507 a year.

Learn More About Washington University in St Louis

24
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
422 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$78,016 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #24. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate degrees to 422 students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, doctorate degree graduates from Notre Dame make an average of $78,016 a year.

Read full report on University of Notre Dame

25
184 Doctorate Degrees Awarded
$59,996 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #25, California Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2024 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States list. Caltech is located in Pasadena, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 184 doctorate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Those who receive a doctorate degree from Caltech go into careers with an average salary of $59,996 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on California Institute of Technology

Rest of the Top 50 Best Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
NYU Crest
New York University
New York, New York
27
Dartmouth Crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, New Hampshire
28
Johns Hopkins Crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
29
Fielding Crest
Fielding Graduate University
Santa Barbara, California
30
31
Purdue Crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana
32
33
The Master's University Crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California

34
University of Virginia Crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

35
36
37
38
Mines Crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado
39
Emory Crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
40
41
42
43

44
Tufts Crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

45
UF Crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
46
Claremont Graduate University Crest
Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, California
47
48
Boston U Crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
49
WPI Crest
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, Massachusetts
50

Rest of the Top 15% Doctorate Degree Schools in the United States

To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:

RankCollegeLocation
51Baylor UniversityWaco, TX
52Texas A&M University - College StationCollege Station, TX
53Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA
54Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA
55Gallaudet UniversityWashington, DC
56Alliant International UniversitySan Diego, CA
57University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN
58Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA
59Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA
60George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
61Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH
62Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
63North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
64Drew UniversityMadison, NJ
65Pacific UniversityForest Grove, OR
RankCollegeLocation
66University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC
67University of California - DavisDavis, CA
68Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
69Arcadia UniversityGlenside, PA
70Mount Marty UniversityYankton, SD
71Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT
72Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
73Concordia University, ChicagoRiver Forest, IL
74Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MO
75Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken, NJ
76Fordham UniversityBronx, NY
77University of GeorgiaAthens, GA
78Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE
79University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA
79Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
81University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, MA
82The College of Saint ScholasticaDuluth, MN
83University of California - IrvineIrvine, CA
84University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA
85Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ
86Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbus, OH
87University of ScrantonScranton, PA
88Indiana University - BloomingtonBloomington, IN
89University of RochesterRochester, NY
90Samford UniversityBirmingham, AL
RankCollegeLocation
91Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA
92Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA
93University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
94University of Nevada - Las VegasLas Vegas, NV
95The Graduate Center, CUNYNew York, NY
96Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, NY
97Rutgers University - New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ
98Shenandoah UniversityWinchester, VA
99Clemson UniversityClemson, SC
100University of DelawareNewark, DE
101Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis, MO
102National American University - Rapid CityRapid City, SD
103Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA
104Union Institute & UniversityCincinnati, OH

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our Best Doctorate Degree Schools ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
105Columbia International UniversityColumbia, SC
106Northcentral UniversitySan Diego, CA
107Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI
108Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL
109Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA
110University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
111University of the PacificStockton, CA
112Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN
113California State University - FullertonFullerton, CA
114Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX
115Arizona State University - SkysongScottsdale, AZ
116Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
117University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
118University of IowaIowa City, IA
119San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA
RankCollegeLocation
120Gannon UniversityErie, PA
121Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA
122University of California - Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA
123California State University - San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA
124Brandman UniversityIrvine, CA
125University of KansasLawrence, KS
126Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, PA
127National Louis UniversityChicago, IL
128Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport, IA
129The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN
130Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY
131West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA
132New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewark, NJ
133Miami University - OxfordOxford, OH
134Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA
135Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA
136University of PortlandPortland, OR
137Washington State UniversityPullman, WA
138Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA
139University of MaryBismarck, ND
RankCollegeLocation

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Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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