Welcome to Students Before Profits: Best Doctorate in Educational Leadership Online Programs.
Choosing an online degree can have many benefits for students. Often, these programs of study are far cheaper, much more flexible, and can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection. As the job market becomes more competitive, one of the best ways to set yourself apart from the competition is with a college degree. Students can make sure that their resume rises to the top of the stack by getting as educated as they possibly can.
Featured Programs
For students who want to assume leadership positions within an educational organization such as a public school or university, an online PhD Educational Leadership degree might be right for you. This type of degree will provide students with the skills needed to face the different challenges of modern educational organizations. To help with finding the right degree for you, we’ve ranked the top online PhD Educational Leadership degrees below. These programs have been selected based on their tuition price, their length, and the quality of the program.
Note that tuition rates listed below are based on cost per credit, and individual programs may have additional fees.
Ranking the Best Doctorate in Educational Leadership Online Programs
#1. Marshall University
Online Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies
Huntington, West Virginia
This online Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies is the perfect option for students who want to complete their Ph.D. in Educational Leadership online. Marshall University allows students to complete the majority of this program online. The only part that students must visit the campus for is to present their dissertation. Through this program of study, students will learn the variety of factors that go into being an effective leader in education. They will learn the various ethical, financial, and legal pressures put upon institutions of education. To complete this program of study, students must complete a total of 45 credit hours. Transfer credits are not accepted into this program, and students must present their dissertation in person.
Tuition: $18,225
Score: 100
#2. University of North Georgia
Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership & Practice
Dahlonega, Georgia
Requiring a total of 60 credit hours for its completion, the Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership & Practice degree is offered to students entirely online by the University of North Georgia. This program has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The University of North Georgia has designed this program in a way that it covers any and all competencies needed for those who wish to become a leader within a higher education organization. To be considered for this program, students must have earned a master’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or more. This program is offered to students every fall in a cohort-style format.
Tuition: $27,180
Score: 99
#3. Missouri Baptist University
Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership
St. Louis, Missouri
Designed to be completed in as little as 2.5 years, Missouri Baptist University’s Online Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership degree is great for students who are trying to pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership online. Students are only required to visit Missouri Baptist University for a single residency during their pursuit of this program. From the beginning of the program, students will be assigned a cohort that they will then move through the curriculum with. The curriculum of this program will cover all the relevant topics needed to prepare students for leadership roles in higher education such as deans, professors, provosts, and more. A total of 45 credit hours are required for the completion of this degree as well as a dissertation.
Tuition: $29,520
Score: 98.5
#4. Columbia International University
Online Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership
Columbia, South Carolina
Students hoping to continue their professional development in the field of higher education should consider enrolling in Columbia International University’s Online Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership degree. This Ph.D. in Educational Leadership is perfect for students who are wanting to enter into a leadership position within an educational organization. This program is designed for both higher education as well as K-12 leadership positions. Students will be tasked with studying topics including leadership theory, financial principles, school law, staff supervision, and much more. To complete this program of study, students must complete a total of 60 credit hours. A master’s degree is required to be considered for this degree.
Tuition: $33,000
Score: 98
#5. Concordia University – Portland
Online Doctor of Education in Transformational Leadership
Portland, Oregon
Concordia University – Portland offers students an online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Called the Online Doctor of Education in Transformational Leadership, this degree program is designed from the ground up for those who want to apply the power of education and learning to a variety of different organizations. Applicable to leadership roles in education, this program can also be applied outside of the world of academia. Students in this program will enroll in one of five different concentrations that are offered entirely online including the Virtual Residency component. This program has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. To complete this degree, a total of 60 credit hours must be earned.
Tuition: $34,644
Score: 97.5
#6. Liberty University
Doctorate in Educational Leadership Online
Lynchburg, Virginia
This Ph.D. in Educational Leadership online is designed to be completed in three years’ time. Offered by Liberty University, the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree can be completed entirely online. Students are offered the opportunity to enroll in on-campus intensives, but they are not required for the completion of this degree. This program of study teaches students the research and leadership skills needed to tackle the problems faced by modern educational institutions. Liberty University has received accreditation for this program from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. To complete this degree, students must earn a total of 60 credit hours, 15 of which can be transferred into the program.
Tuition: $35,700
Score: 97
#7. Grand Canyon University
Online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership / Higher Education Leadership
Phoenix, Arizona
This online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership / Higher Education Leadership degree works to teach students how to apply organizational leadership techniques and ideas to the realm of higher education. Offered by Grand Canyon University, this online Ph.D. in Education Leadership will teach students leadership skills as they relate to teaching, fiscal management, and administration. Students in this program are able to enroll in this program entirely online, except for a limited number of residencies. Courses in this program last eight weeks and a total of 60 credit hours are needed to complete this degree. Students can transfer up to nine credits into the program.
Tuition: $39,000
Score: 96.5
#8. Minnesota State University-Moorhead
Doctorate in Educational Leadership Online
Moorhead, Minnesota
Minnesota State University Moorhead offers their online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership degree in a format that can be completed in as few as eight semesters or three years. Students will enroll in two courses each semester that last for eight weeks. These courses are able to be taken entirely online and are offered through the school’s interactive learning platform. Students are required to attend two on-campus residencies that last for one week each summer. In this program of study, students learn how to become effective educational leaders as they learn how to navigate the different factors that continue to shape and change education. To complete this program, students must earn a total of 60 credit hours.
Tuition: $39,240
Score: 96
#9. Saint Leo University
Online Doctor of Education / School Leadership
St. Leo, Florida
Accredited by the Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, this Online Doctor of Education / School Leadership degree is offered to students entirely online by Saint Leo University. Students can take all of their courses online but are required to visit the Saint Leo University campus for one week during the summer semester. If taken full-time, this program can be completed in three years. Saint Leo University has designed this program so that students will grow their knowledge base and learn the skills needed to become effective leaders in the field of education. To complete this program of study, students must earn a total of 60 credit hours. This program is designed for leadership positions at all levels of education.
Tuition: $40,200
Score: 95.5
#10. Central Michigan University
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Central Michigan University offers its Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in two concentrations: K-12 Leadership and Higher Education Leadership. Students can choose which concentration is right for their career path. Through the pursuit of either program, students will learn the advanced skills needed to enter into leadership and administrative roles in educational organizations. The courses in this program are offered primarily in an asynchronous fashion save for one class every other Saturday that is a live course. Students must earn a total of 63 credit hours to complete this program. Central Michigan University allows a total of 27 credit hours to be transferred into this program.
Tuition: $42,777
Score: 95
#11. University of Mary
Online Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership
Bismarck, North Dakota
Able to be completed in less than three years, this Online Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership degree is offered to students by the University of Mary. This program is designed from the ground up to prepare students for a career in a variety of different leadership and administrative roles within educational institutions. Students will be prepared to work in both higher education and K-12. Students are able to pursue this program mostly online, however, students must visit the campus on select occasions. This program is offered in a cohort style every two years. To complete this program, students must earn a total of 60 credits.
Tuition: $42,900
Score: 94.5
#12. Endicott College
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in Higher Education Administration
Beverly, Massachusetts
Students who are interested in an online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership should consider the Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in Higher Education Administration degree offered by Endicott College. This program of study is offered to students entirely online except for a few in-person classes. Endicott College places students into small cohorts of students that will then move through the program together. By pursuing this degree program, students will achieve the highest level of understanding and knowledge in concepts related to leadership in education. To complete this program, students must earn a total of 60 credit hours.
Tuition: $45,747
Score: 94
#13. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Online Doctor of Education in Leadership
Winona, Minnesota
For those who want to take their education to the next level, the Online Doctor of Education in Leadership degree is designed for students who want to learn as much as possible about leadership in education. Offered by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, this online degree program covers all the major skills and competencies needed for high-level leadership roles in education such as provost, dean, and administrator. This program can be completed mostly online. Students are required to visit the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota campus for a short residency during the summer semesters to complete this degree. A total of 60 credit hours are required to finish this program.
Tuition: $45,750
Score: 93.5
#14. St. John’s University
Online Doctor of Philosophy in Literacy / Educational Leadership
Queens, New York
Students at St. John’s University are able to enroll in an Online Doctor of Philosophy in Literacy / Educational Leadership. This online degree program is available to students online. The program has been designed so that students can complete it in as little as 2.5 years if they choose to take summer courses. While working through this curriculum, students will learn the core skills and competencies needed to become an effective leader in a variety of different educational organizations. This program has been accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. To complete this program, students must earn a total of 42 credit hours.
Tuition: $51,660
Score: 93
#15. Gwynedd Mercy University
Doctorate in Educational Leadership Online
Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania
This Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership degree is designed to be completed online. Gwynedd-Mercy College has created this online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership degree in order to serve students who want to increase their knowledge and skill set to advance their careers in the field of education. Students who complete this program of study will be prepared for careers as professors, provosts, deans, and other high-level positions. Through this program, students will learn about education research, education policy and regulation, faculty and staff management, and much more. To complete this degree, a total of 54 credits must be earned by students.
Tuition: $52,110
Score: 92.5
#16. East Tennessee State University
Online Doctor of Educational Leadership / Administrative Endorsement
Johnson City, Tennessee
The Online Doctor of Educational Leadership / Administrative Endorsement degree is offered to students by East Tennessee State University. This online Ph.D. in Educational Leadership degree is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Through the pursuit of this degree, students will gain the skills and competencies needed to succeed in leadership and administrative roles in the realm of academia. Students will gain the skills needed for either K-12 or higher education leadership positions. Students are not required to have a master’s degree when applying for this program of study. A total of 60 credits are required to complete this program of study.
Tuition: $54,318
Score: 92
#17. Lamar University
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Beaumont, Texas
Lamar University currently offers students an Online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree. This online degree program is designed to be completed across eight semesters. Lamar University has also designed this program to be entirely online and not require any visits to the Lamar University campus. The courses in this program last eight weeks, and new sessions of this program begin each summer. Through the completion of this degree program, students will gain the insight and knowledge needed to become a leader in a variety of different educational organizations. To complete this online PhD in educational leadership, students must earn a total of 60 credit hours.
Tuition: $55,440
Score: 91.5
#18. Regent University
Online Doctor of Education in Advanced Educational Leadership
Virginia Beach, Virginia
To help further your career as an educator, Regent University offers this Online Doctor of Education in Advanced Educational Leadership degree. This program is designed to provide students with the skills needed to elevate their careers as leaders in education to the next level. Students in this program will cover topics including strategic planning, program evaluation, as well as methods for implementing change on the institutional level. This program of study is offered to students online except for the required attendance of 4-day residencies throughout the program. A total of 75 or more credit hours are required to complete this program of study. Courses in this program are offered in an eight-week format.
Tuition: $58,125
Score: 91
#19. Indiana State University
Online Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration / Higher Education Leadership
Terre Haute, Indiana
Indiana State University currently offers students the opportunity to enroll in an Online Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration / Higher Education Leadership. This online degree program is designed to prepare students to step into roles as high-level administrators and leaders in educational organizations. They will learn how to properly organize, motivate, and lead educators as they work to improve the quality of the institutions that they become part of. To complete this program of study, students must earn a total of 45 credit hours alongside their dissertation. This program is mostly delivered in a cohort format, meaning that students will move through the program in small groups.
Tuition: $58,248
Score: 90.5
#20. City University of Seattle
Online Doctor of Education in Leadership
Seattle, Washington
This online Doctor of Education in Leadership degree is offered to students entirely online. Through the pursuit of this program offered by City University of Seattle, students will work through a curriculum designed to prepare students for a career as a leader in higher education. They will learn skills integral to being a strong educational leader such as leadership theory, strategic thinking, and ethical organizational leadership. City University of Seattle offers this program to its students entirely online. To complete this course of study, students must earn a total of 90 credits. This online PhD educational leadership has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Tuition: $66,780
Score: 90
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