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Most Popular Online Doctor's Degree Schools

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2023 Most Popular Online Doctor's Degree Schools

384 Schools Ranked

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Online Doctor's Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 384 schools in the United States to see which ones had the most popular online doctor's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#2

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
1,437 Total Awards

The excellent doctor’s degree programs at Capella University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the United States. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 1,437 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.

Capella University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

1,081 Total Awards
$26,247 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent doctor’s degree programs at University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the United States. USAHS is located in San Marcos, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,081 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out USAHS. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Report

#4

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
829 Total Awards
$11,538 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Canyon University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Doctor’s Degree Schools list. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the large private for-profit school awarded 829 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#5

Northcentral University

San Diego, California
780 Total Awards
$18,207 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Northcentral University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Online Doctor’s Degree Schools list. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 780 students in 2020-2021.

Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Northcentral University are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

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565 Total Awards
$14,090 Average Tuition & Fees

Chamberlain University - Illinois came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Doctor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in Addison, Illinois, the large private for-profit school handed out 565 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Chamberlain - Illinois are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

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#7

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
995 Total Awards
$8,360 Average Tuition & Fees

Liberty University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Doctor’s Degree Schools list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 995 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#8

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
1,778 Total Awards
$12,737 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the large public school awarded 1,778 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 79% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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356 Total Awards

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree programs. UOPX - Arizona is a large private for-profit school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 356 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#10

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1,622 Total Awards
$22,790 Average Tuition & Fees

Nova Southeastern University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Doctor’s Degree Schools ranking. NUS Florida is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,622 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 52% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Nova Southeastern University Report

#11

University of Lynchburg

Lynchburg, Virginia
340 Total Awards
$11,759 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Lynchburg did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Lynchburg is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 340 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 78% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Lynchburg Report

#12

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
1,914 Total Awards
$61,396 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Southern California did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,914 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.

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740 Total Awards
$8,052 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their doctor’s degree. This large public school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 740 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

787 Total Awards
$42,128 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, A T Still University of Health Sciences did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their doctor’s degree. A T Still University of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 787 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, A T Still University of Health Sciences is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read full report on A T Still University of Health Sciences

#15

American College of Education

Indianapolis, Indiana
181 Total Awards
$6,600 Average Tuition & Fees

American College of Education did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #15 on the list. American College of Education is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 181 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Since the graduate programs at American College of Education are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

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#15

Frontier Nursing University

Hyden, Kentucky
181 Total Awards
$20,780 Average Tuition & Fees

Frontier Nursing University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Online Doctor’s Degree Schools list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Hyden, Kentucky, and it awarded 181 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Frontier Nursing University are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Frontier Nursing University

167 Total Awards
$14,312 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Doctor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the large private for-profit school awarded 167 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 23% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs

#17

Brandman University

Irvine, California
167 Total Awards
$12,720 Average Tuition & Fees

Brandman University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree programs. Located in Irvine, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 167 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Brandman is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read More…

#19

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, Tennessee
164 Total Awards
$11,585 Average Tuition & Fees

Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 164 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#20

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
532 Total Awards
$11,826 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Auburn University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Auburn, Alabama, the large public school awarded 532 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 35% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Auburn University Report

#21

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
233 Total Awards
$13,224 Average Tuition & Fees

Old Dominion University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Old Dominion is a large public school situated in Norfolk, Virginia. It awarded 233 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 82% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Old Dominion University

#22

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
137 Total Awards
$9,378 Average Tuition & Fees

Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 137 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 98% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

160 Total Awards
$23,510 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network is located in Boston, Massachusetts and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 160 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

Around 66% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network Report

#24

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
291 Total Awards
$8,426 Average Tuition & Fees

University of South Alabama did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Mobile, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 291 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 75% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of South Alabama

#24

Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
134 Total Awards
$26,016 Average Tuition & Fees

Wilkes University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 134 students in 2020-2021.

Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

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

#26

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia
#27

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#28

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky
#29

Samford University

Birmingham, Alabama
#30

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
#31

Wilmington University

New Castle, Delaware
#32

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
#33

University of Michigan - Flint

Flint, Michigan
#34

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
#35

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
#36

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
#37

Howard University

Washington, District of Columbia
#38

Westcliff University

Irvine, California
#40

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#41

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#43

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#44

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
#45

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
#46

University of New England

Biddeford, Maine
#47

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#48

Chatham University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#49

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

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

Rank School Location
51 South University’s online programs Savannah, GA
51 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LA
53 Creighton University Omaha, NE
53 William Woods University Fulton, MO
55 St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, FL
56 Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC
56 The University of Arizona Global Campus San Diego, CA
58 Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health Omaha, NE

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular online schools ranking:

Rank School Location
59 California University of Pennsylvania California, PA
60 University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD
60 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
62 Aspen University Denver, CO
63 Taft University System Denver, CO
64 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
65 Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA
66 Lipscomb University Nashville, TN
67 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
67 University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
67 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA
67 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
71 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
71 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX
71 Capitol Technology University Laurel, MD
74 Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley, PA
75 William Carey University Hattiesburg, MS
75 Bradley University Peoria, IL
77 Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL
77 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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