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The Doctorate in Education: Is it Worth It?

At some point along their career track, many educational professionals eventually weigh the decision to earn a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in education.

In our last blog post , we examined the differences between the Ph.D. and Ed.D. and the benefits an Ed.D. can offer those pursuing leadership roles in education—as well as positions in nonprofit and government agencies and private sectors. We also surveyed the differences among Ed.D. programs, how to choose a college or university, and what to expect from the curriculum.

But what about time and cost? After you complete your Ed.D. will you see an increase in career opportunities and salary? In other words, is the juice really worth the squeeze?

Let’s take a look.

How Long Will It Take To Earn a Ed.D.?

If you’re considering earning your Ed.D. in education , you’ve most likely already completed your M.A. or M.A.Ed. Like a master’s degree, a doctorate takes a significant time commitment and a high level of personal dedication. It’s not easy.

While it’s possible to earn the degree in as little as two years of full-time study, most students don’t take this route. Unlike Ph.D. candidates, most Ed.D. candidates are employed full-time in the education field and choose to continue their jobs alongside their studies.

Depending on the course load and the design of the dissertation or capstone project, the degree can take four, five, or up to seven years at most.

How Much Does an Ed.D. Cost?

While the length of time you’ll spend working on your Ed.D. is important, it’s also essential to weigh the financial commitment of the degree. Here are some points to keep in mind when estimating the investment you will need to make to earn an Ed.D.:

• Tuition Costs. A typical Ed.D. program will require 60-66 credits. Tuition costs per credit can range from $350 to $775, resulting in a final price tag of $21,000 to $55,000 for the degree. Also look into any additional fees and the cost of attending orientation and conferences, and any professional memberships or certification programs that may be required.

• Program Location and Cost of Living. If you plan to enroll in a program in another city or state, what will the cost of relocating be? Will there be a change in your overall cost of living in the new location? Will you be able to keep your current job if you move, and if not, will your salary take a hit? More and more schools are now offering Ed.D. degrees entirely online, which can be a great option if there are no good programs in your geographic area and you don’t want to quit your day job.
• Employment Status. If you maintain a full-time job while earning your degree you won’t have to sacrifice your income, healthcare, or 401K savings to go to school.
• Tuition Reimbursement. Many employers offer financial incentives to current employees to advance their education, especially in a field relevant to their job duties. Check to see if your company or organization participates in a tuition reimbursement program. If so, do your research to make sure that the course of study you decide on will qualify.

Earning a doctorate is challenging and rewarding, but do you know what to really expect? Download this free guide for tips and insights to help you prepare for success.  

How can an ed.d. impact earning potential.

While an Ed.D. can grow your skill set, it can also have a significant impact on your annual earnings. Most senior positions in education and educational administration require an Ed.D., which is one of the main reasons that education professionals choose to pursue the degree. Having an Ed.D. under your belt allows you to advance within your current organization or to acquire a highly sought job at a school or university.

Here’s a look at the top senior education positions and what you can expect to make from each:

The focus of your coursework can also impact your future earnings. Most programs that lead to positions in private schools and companies will likely yield a higher salary than those that lead to nonprofits or public institutions. And a specialization in higher education administration and management will often yield a higher salary than a specialization in early childhood education.

5 Reasons To Earn Your Ed.D. That Have Nothing To Do With an Income Boost

Deciding to pursue an Ed.D. is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. As we’ve seen, it requires a significant commitment of both time and money. However, if you’re looking to advance your career and maximize your earning potential, the degree can open up a range of new possibilities.

Here are the top 5 reasons to earn your Ed.D.:

• You will gain the skills needed to effect change in your organization. An Ed.D. will help you hone your communication, assessment and management skills—skills that are in great demand in today’s educational institutions. If you are interested in taking the wheel, an Ed.D. will prepare you to advance and expand in your school or organization.
• You will develop the tools you need to become a better administrator in today’s educational environments. Education is a rapidly changing field; advanced study into current education trends, including digital literacy and collaborative learning will allow you to apply your knowledge and experience to solve problems and fix gaps in the educational systems around you.
• You can add clout to your résumé to give your new career search a boost. Are you looking to pursue new opportunities in the educational field? Whether you’re hoping to land a job in public education, government or the private sector, an Ed.D. degree will help your résumé stand out from the rest. Many programs offer specializations such as curriculum, instruction and assessment or higher education leadership, allowing you to gain specific skill sets and build your professional network within the area.
• You can learn how to better leverage technology to teach future generations. Educational technology is evolving in new and exciting ways. Learning how to incorporate technology into instructional design will allow you learning challenges in classrooms and training rooms in new ways.
• You will be qualified for senior educational leadership positions. Many elite, well-paying jobs—including superintendent, dean, and college president—require a doctorate. And, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, post-secondary college administration positions will experience faster than average growth in the coming decade.a

Tips on Getting Started

By now you may be 100 percent sure you’re ready to pursue an Ed.D.. Now what? What should you look at when researching programs and an estimating a graduation date? Consider the following factors to help determine a realistic timeline for the degree:

• Transfer Credit. Ed.D. programs typically transfer academic credits earned from any previous doctoral coursework . The amount of credits you can transfer will vary from one university to another. Reaching out to admissions counselors at different schools will help you find the best fit.
• Course Load and Schedule. Whether you will be studying in a classroom or remotely, you’ll need to decide how many classes you will be able to handle per term. This will vary based on the demands of your day job and family commitments, as well as your competence and background in the subject matter. If you are working on an academic schedule you should also look into which programs offer classes during the summer (when you may have more time to commit to your studies).
• Dissertation or Capstone Project. Most Ed.D. programs conclude with a final practicum, where you take what you have learned over the course of your classes and apply it to a real-world problem. The requirements of the dissertation or capstone project will depend on the college or university. If you are able to design your project to focus on your current place of employment, you will likely be able finish in less time than someone who cannot.

If you are a mid-career education professional looking to advance your career, raise your salary, and impact real change, then the answer is: Yes, it’s worth getting the degree. An Ed.D. requires a significant investment of both time and money—and it isn’t for everyone. But by doing the research and making the investment in the right way, you can position yourself to grow your career in a meaningful, financially rewarding way.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Education

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The Harvard Ph.D. in Education trains cutting-edge researchers who work across disciplines to generate knowledge and translate discoveries into transformative policy and practice.

Offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in Education provides you with full access to the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and prepares you to assume meaningful roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will collaborate with scholars across all Harvard graduate schools on original interdisciplinary research. In the process, you will help forge new fields of inquiry that will impact the way we teach and learn. The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of education and your expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of making a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice.   

Curriculum Information

The Ph.D. in Education requires five years of full-time study to complete. You will choose your individual coursework and design your original research in close consultation with your HGSE faculty adviser and dissertation committee. The requirements listed below include the three Ph.D. concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching . 

We invite you to review an example course list, which is provided in two formats — one as the full list by course number and one by broad course category . These lists are subject to modification. 

Ph.D. Concentrations and Examples

Summary of Ph.D. Program

Doctoral Colloquia  In year one and two you are required to attend. The colloquia convenes weekly and features presentations of work-in-progress and completed work by Harvard faculty, faculty and researchers from outside Harvard, and Harvard doctoral students. Ph.D. students present once in the colloquia over the course of their career.

Research Apprenticeship The Research Apprenticeship is designed to provide ongoing training and mentoring to develop your research skills throughout the entire program.

Teaching Fellowships The Teaching Fellowship is an opportunity to enhance students' teaching skills, promote learning consolidation, and provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty on pedagogical development.

Comprehensive Exams  The Written Exam (year 2, spring) tests you on both general and concentration-specific knowledge. The Oral Exam (year 3, fall/winter) tests your command of your chosen field of study and your ability to design, develop, and implement an original research project.

Dissertation  Based on your original research, the dissertation process consists of three parts: the Dissertation Proposal, the writing, and an oral defense before the members of your dissertation committee.

Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) Concentration

In CIS, you will examine the broader cultural, institutional, organizational, and social contexts relevant to education across the lifespan. What is the value and purpose of education? How do cultural, institutional, and social factors shape educational processes and outcomes? How effective are social movements and community action in education reform? How do we measure stratification and institutional inequality? In CIS, your work will be informed by theories and methods from sociology, history, political science, organizational behavior and management, philosophy, and anthropology. You can examine contexts as diverse as classrooms, families, neighborhoods, schools, colleges and universities, religious institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and more.

Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) Concentration

In EPPE, you will research the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policy affecting early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education in the U.S. and internationally. You will evaluate and assess individual programs and policies related to critical issues like access to education, teacher effectiveness, school finance, testing and accountability systems, school choice, financial aid, college enrollment and persistence, and more. Your work will be informed by theories and methods from economics, political science, public policy, and sociology, history, philosophy, and statistics. This concentration shares some themes with CIS, but your work with EPPE will focus on public policy and large-scale reforms.

Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT) Concentration

In HDLT, you will work to advance the role of scientific research in education policy, reform, and practice. New discoveries in the science of learning and development — the integration of biological, cognitive, and social processes; the relationships between technology and learning; or the factors that influence individual variations in learning — are transforming the practice of teaching and learning in both formal and informal settings. Whether studying behavioral, cognitive, or social-emotional development in children or the design of learning technologies to maximize understanding, you will gain a strong background in human development, the science of learning, and sociocultural factors that explain variation in learning and developmental pathways. Your research will be informed by theories and methods from psychology, cognitive science, sociology and linguistics, philosophy, the biological sciences and mathematics, and organizational behavior.

Program Faculty

The most remarkable thing about the Ph.D. in Education is open access to faculty from all Harvard graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Learn about the full Ph.D. Faculty.

Jarvis R. Givens

Jarvis Givens studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools.

Paul L. Harris

Paul Harris is interested in the early development of cognition, emotion, and imagination in children.

Meira Levinson

Meira Levinson is a normative political philosopher who works at the intersection of civic education, youth empowerment, racial justice, and educational ethics. 

Luke W. Miratrix

Luke Miratrix is a statistician who explores how to best use modern statistical methods in applied social science contexts.

Eric Taylor

Eric Taylor studies the economics of education, with a particular interest in employer-employee interactions between schools and teachers — hiring and firing decisions, job design, training, and performance evaluation.

Paola Uccelli

Paola Ucelli studies socio-cultural and individual differences in the language development of multilingual and monolingual students.

View Ph.D. Faculty

Dissertations.

The following is a complete listing of successful Ph.D. in Education dissertations to-date. Dissertations from November 2014 onward are publicly available in the Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) , the online repository for Harvard scholarship.

• 2022 Graduate Dissertations (265 KB pdf)
• 2021 Graduate Dissertations (177 KB pdf)
• 2020 Graduate Dissertations (121 KB pdf)
• 2019 Graduate Dissertations (68.3 KB pdf)

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ph.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic

Olivia Chi, Ed.M.'17, Ph.D.'20, discusses the ongoing efforts to ensure the quality and stability of the teaching workforce

Lost in Translation

New comparative study from Ph.D. candidate Maya Alkateb-Chami finds strong correlation between low literacy outcomes for children and schools teaching in different language from home

Academic Degrees , Education Degree News

Considering a PhD in Education? Here’s What You Need to Know

Updated: February 13, 2024

Published: December 17, 2018

For anyone looking to pursue a career in education in academia or research, a Ph.D. in education is the degree to seek. A doctorate degree in education is a terminal degree in the field, which means it is the highest level degree you can get. So the natural next question is, “What can you do with a Ph.D. in education?

Here, we will share Ph.D. in education jobs, as well as answer all your big questions surrounding a doctorate degree in education.

What is a Ph.D. in education?

A doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in education is a graduate degree that is well-suited for anyone who wants to focus their career on academics or research. Just like a Ph.D. in education is a terminal degree, so is a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree.

Although it can be confusing when faced with two terminal degrees in the same field, it helps to clarify when we understand what each of their focus is. An EdD in education is more hands-on and practice-oriented, which means that it’s of use to those who want to work in education, for the government, or in a non-profit organization.

A Ph.D. in education is theoretically-focused and more study-based, in comparison. For this reason, it’s best for anyone looking to work in research or academia at the university level.

There are more differences between the two, including:

• A Ph.D. in education takes four years to complete, while an EdD takes two.
• A Ph.D. requires doing a dissertation, while an EdD doesn’t.
• A Ph.D. focuses on developing new research. EdD students, on the other hand, use existing research to guide decisions about issues within their area of study.
• A Ph.D. requires taking 90 credits, whereas an EdD requires 60.

Why Earn a Ph.D. in Education?

There are many reasons why a Ph.D. in education is valuable and worthy of your effort. Here’s why:

1. It’s one of the most highly respected credentials in education, and as mentioned, it is a terminal degree (which means its the highest level that you can achieve in this field).

2. You’ll use research-based methods to solve problems and identify gaps in your specialization of choice.

Plus, you will have the expertise and credentials to publish in professional journals and/or present your findings at conferences around the world.

3. You’ll be advancing in an area of education in which you’re passionate.

Are you fascinated by childhood development? Or do you have a passion for classroom management? If you have a desire to advance a particular field in education, a Ph.D. is an excellent way to do so.

4. You’ll earn respect in your field and gain personal satisfaction.

Since a Ph.D. in education requires doing a dissertation, that alone is not an easy feat! Accomplishing it will surely give you a rewarding feeling. Plus, being called Doctor isn’t so bad either. Just like any degree, a Ph.D. in education involves a certain skill set . Some learned along the way, and some you may have naturally. These are some skills involved in a Ph.D. in education:

Technical skills:

Analysis and problem-solving, project management and organization, research and information management, and written and oral communication are all important in such a research-based degree.

Soft skills:

Interpersonal and leadership skills, self-management and work habits, concentration, and patience are all important personal skills to have when you’re spending lots of time on one specific topic.

The Doctorate in Education Salaries You Can Expect

Did you know that in America, Ph.D. graduates will earn $1.3 million more than BA holders in their working lifetimes? There are all kinds of career options for Ph.D. education graduates.

Here are some examples of typical careers for Ph.D. in education holders, as well as their average salaries in the US:

• Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists: $79,820
• Education Teachers, Postsecondary: $80,56 0
• Survey Researchers: $59,870 
• Sociologists: $86,110
• Training and Development Specialists: $62,700

Many PhD in education graduates want to become professors. Here’s what the average annual salaries look like around the globe for professors in the top-paying countries (in their equivalent USD):

Denmark: $109,600

Switzerland: $185,000

UK: $110,000

US: $102,400

Finland: $95,000

Canada: $93,000

Germany:$92,000

France: $82,000

There are other career options as well, such as school administrator, superintendent, curriculum coordinator, and principal.

What are the Requirements?

Considering that a Ph.D. in education is the highest level you can achieve in education, it means that you will already have a bachelor’s under your belt, and in most cases, a master’s degree, as well. In other words, you probably like being a student. There are lots of years of studying that get dedicated to earning a Ph.D. If you plan on doing a doctorate in education, earning a master’s degree in education can be the right first step.

Another important thing to know is that almost all Ph.D. candidates have background experience in research. So if education is your field of interest, getting a Ph.D. will mean coming to the table with previous research experience from your undergraduate (and potentially graduate) degrees.

Every institution may differ on their prerequisites for enrolling in their Ph.D. in education program. Be sure to consult directly with your school of choice to find out what they are.

Where Can I Earn My Ph.D. in Education?

There are many schools that offer Ph.D. in education programs. Just like most subjects, there are going to be online /on-campus options as well as throughout the world. Some are even fully funded.

Online programs

University of the People has a Master’s in Education (M.Ed) degree. This could be a great choice for those of you who may be aiming for a Ph.D. in education but only have a BA. The next step is getting that MA. So, why not choose a tuition-free program ?

Liberty University, Walden University, University of Colorado, and the University of Nebraska are just a few popular universities that offer a Ph.D. in Education. Here’s a look at some of the most affordable online Ph.D. programs.

Studying in Europe

Studying in Europe can be both exciting and low-cost . Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Finland offer free doctorate tuition for university students, regardless of their nationality! France offers low-cost Ph.D. tuition fees. If you want to see some specific schools in these countries, look at this list.

Fully-funded Programs

Fully-funded sounds wonderful, and it is! But, it doesn’t mean there are no costs associated. Fully-funded actually means that your tuition is covered, but you’ll still have to cover costs for textbooks and supplies, living expenses, and other fees.  no cost. That said, it’s still an awesome option. One condition: it has to be on campus. Why? Because you need to pay with your time — by teaching and performing research.

University of Michigan School of Education, Vanderbilt Peabody College, and Steinhardt School at NYU all offer tuition-free on-campus Ph.D. in education programs.

Online vs On-campus

You might be wondering what it’s like to get your Ph.D. online, as compared to on-campus institutions. Like all degrees, there are advantages and disadvantages to earning your degree entirely online. In regards to a Ph.D. in education, you will need to consider a few things.

Online Ph.D. programs are best suited to students who work better solo. They are also great for those who have worked in the field for some time and want to advance in their area of study. And, of course, it’s the best option for those who work and are raising families. On the other hand, you aren’t in the presence of peers and professors that can be a valuable resource in the research-driven program of a Ph.D.

Earning a Ph.D. on-campus has its pros and cons, too.. While they’re generally more expensive than online programs, on-campus Ph.D. programs allow you to communicate face-to-face with your professors, supervisors, and other students.

What You Can Expect to Study in a Ph.D. in Education

Completing a Ph.D. means doing your dissertation, or research thesis. Naturally, it is going to be based on the field of study that you are most interested in. You can specialize in a certain area. Some common specialization options for a Ph.D. in education are:

• Early Childhood Education
• Special Education
• Adult Education
• Teacher Leadership
• Curriculum and Pedagogy
• Educational Psychology

Aside from the research involved in planning and executing your thesis, you will also have professional development activities and coursework relevant to your area of study. They’re designed to help give you the skills needed to succeed in your research and your future career in education.

While the curriculum is going to vary according to your specialization, there are some general core courses that most PhDs in education involve. You will likely take the following: group psychology, leadership, learning models, ethics, education and globalization, and analytics courses as part of your curriculum.

Is a Ph.D. in Education for Me?

If you choose to study for a Ph.D. in education, chances are you’re passionate about teaching and learning, and everything in between. Even if you’re not looking to stand in front of a lecture hall and teach, you may wish to improve upon the field of education as a whole through research and other means. With a Ph.D. in Education, you open the door to that possibility and many more.

How you choose to earn your degree is up to you. Whether you conclude upon enrolling online or on-campus, prepare yourself for lots of reading, writing, researching, and communicating. Whatever you chose, we’re sure you’ll give it your best shot. Here’s to reaching the top in the field of education!

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PhD vs. EdD in Education: Nine expert tips to help you choose [with infographic]

If you want to elevate your career in education, an advanced degree can open the door to more job opportunities. Many schools offer graduate programs in education, but before you go down a rabbit hole of research, first decide if you want to get a PhD or EdD degree.

A PhD and EdD in education are both doctoral degrees. The one you choose will have a significant impact on your graduate school experience, and your career as well. (Already know what you want? Visit our Admission and Deadlines and Requirements pages for more information.)

For a quick overview of differences between the two degrees, view the infographic below or download it here .

Before we explore tips to guide your decision, let’s review important context for each degree.

What is a PhD in Education?

A PhD is a doctorate in philosophy. Historically, it was the first degree offered to students in the field of education and is perhaps more well-known than the EdD.

The PhD in Education is ideal for students who are excited by a career in research. Programs train you to interpret existing theory on a subject, identify opportunities for exploration, and advance theory through critical analysis. It is not necessarily a degree that prepares you for an administrative or leadership role.

With a PhD in Education, you will become an authority on a particular topic or range of topics, and make recommendations on how practitioners should approach or implement them. Examples of research topics might include teaching practices, the effect of learning environments on student outcomes, and inequity in education.

What is an EdD in Education?

An EdD is a doctorate in education, and prepares you for a career in educational leadership. Like the PhD degree, you will learn to interpret research. However, EdD programs train you to apply the research in real-world settings.

While pursuing your EdD degree, you will study critical theory and determine how you can implement it to drive change in K–12 classrooms, universities, community colleges and other organizations. You will also reflect on your role as a leader. Top EdD programs encourage you to analyze your relationship to your research topics and work environments. The goal is to ensure that your leadership is fair and equitable for all people.

PhD vs. EdD: What are the main differences?

The table below summarizes the key differences between a PhD and EdD in education:

Find your program

PhD vs. EdD: How to choose

To help you figure out which doctorate in education is right for you, check out these nine helpful tips:

1. Follow your passion

Rather than focusing on the title of the degree, think about what motivates you. Why did you get into education in the first place? Do you want to have a direct impact on classrooms or pursue big-picture change behind the scenes? You may assume that one degree is more prestigious than another, but it’s important to choose a path that will bring you personal satisfaction that is consistent with your career goals.

2. Picture your day-to-day

PhD and EdD programs are a significant time investment. If you’re struggling to decide because both degrees sound rewarding, try picturing what your daily life might look like in each program.

A PhD in Education is decidedly more research-heavy. A majority of your study will include—but is not limited to—investigating theory and research methodologies. By contrast, EdD programs include the application of your research. Much of your time will be spent using your knowledge to solve professional challenges.

3. Explore career options with a PhD in Education

Earning your PhD in education will make you a more desirable candidate for a range of research-oriented positions. Your ability to evaluate research and make recommendations will be a valuable skill to many organizations.

Many people with PhD in education degrees secure jobs as:

• University professor
• Research scholar
• Education director
• Policy researcher

Want specific examples? For a list of positions held by recent graduates from USC Rossier’s PhD in Urban Education program (PhD), check out our Benefits and Career Paths page.

4. Explore career options with an EdD in Education

EdD programs prepare you for different kinds of senior positions. You will be eligible for leadership roles primarily in education administration, however your high-level skill-set will be desirable to certain nonprofits and businesses as well.

Position titles for professionals with an EdD degree may include:

• Superintendent
• University or college president
• Director of a research center
• Development manager
• Curriculum developer

5. Compare PhD vs. EdD coursework

Doctor in education programs are rigorous and challenging, and while both are rooted in research, their paths diverge. Coursework in PhD programs highlights qualitative and quantitative research methods, and gives you the tools needed to perform your own research. You will also work on your dissertation, and be required to take oral and written exams.

Additionally, PhD students typically have the chance to work one-on-one with a research faculty member on their research. As you narrow your search for a graduate school, remember to review faculty and consider opportunities for collaboration.

EdD courses in educational leadership train you to view common problems in education from multiple perspectives. Courses early in the program urge you to use research as a tool that can provide practical solutions that promote equity. As you progress, you will then take actionable steps to address a problem of practice.

6. Review PhD vs. EdD specializations at different schools

You want to choose a university that aligns with your personal interests. Start by reviewing schools’ mission statements. Do they seem principle-driven or focused on ushering you through the program?  You also want to check out the concentrations offered by each program. Select a program that is going to let you explore issues and challenges that matter to you.

Concentrations vary by university. For example, some concentrations may include educational leadership in K–12 schools, educational psychology or higher education. Expect universities located in or near cities to offer concentrations exploring urban education settings as well.

7. Consider PhD and EdD online programs

If you’re a working professional and don’t want to commute to a physical campus while you earn a degree, an online doctor of education program may be right for you. Online programs cover the same information as their in-person counterparts, but offer a little more flexibility for students.

However, classes such as those included in USC Rossier’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership online program are held live, meaning you are required to attend the online class at a specific day and time.Note: It may be easier to find online options for EdD than PhD programs.

8. Research PhD vs. EdD dissertation requirements

A traditional part of a PhD in education is the dissertation. Dissertation requirements vary by program and school, but generally include thorough investigation of a topic from multiple angles, copious research, and an exam to defend your written work once it’s completed.

By contrast, some EdD programs require you to complete a dissertation in practice. Using research methods learned in the program, you will attempt to resolve a problem in education dealing with equity and access. You may also have the chance to work alongside a group of students and an advisor to tackle the problem. In addition to the different requirements of PhD and EdD dissertations, individual schools may want you to explore issues that fall within their philosophical focus.

9. Estimate your time commitment

Before committing to a doctorate in education program, make sure you understand how much time it will take. A PhD in Education typically requires four to six years to complete, while EdD programs take three years, and may be completed while you work.

Additionally, some PhD programs are full-time commitments. Because of the workload, you can’t work a full-time schedule. However, your tuition is covered by a graduate assistantship. A Master’s degree may also not be necessary for acceptance into a PhD program.

USC Rossier resources

If you’re still unsure about which doctorate in education is right for you, we’re happy to provide personalized guidance .

You can also use USC Rossier’s simple career survey tool.

Curious about the requirements for our doctoral programs ? Check out the list of program comparisons. As a school that has offered doctoral degrees for 100 years, USC Rossier is uniquely positioned to provide insight and expertise on doctoral programs in education

Article Type

Article topics.

• Higher education

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Is a PhD Worth It? [2024 Guide]

Is a PhD worth it? How you answer may depend on your definition of rewards. The title “Ph.D.” means “doctor in philosophy” or simply “authority in learning.” In other words, the title, dating back to the middle ages, was not specific to the branch of study we now know as “philosophy.”

Today, a PhD can be obtained in just about any field…but it still involves “philosophy”—a “love of knowledge.”

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When considering whether or not this is what you want, the intangible pleasures associated with lifelong learning and academic inquiry may be a big part of your calculation, alongside the more earthly rewards commonly referred to as jobs and salaries!

Is a PhD Worth It?

Yes, a PhD is worth it for many students. With evidence of increased job security overall — the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 5% job growth in education, training, and library occupations over the next 10 years, there are some real pragmatic reasons getting a PhD might be worth it, in addition to the intellectual satisfaction.

Common careers in this field include teaching at the university level, educational leadership and administration, corporate or government consulting, and cutting-edge science or public-policy research and advocacy.

Keep in mind that the Bureau of Labor Statistics data on postsecondary teaching also includes many lower-paid jobs at vocational and technical schools as well as higher-paying jobs at four-year colleges and in graduate degree programs.

Also keep in mind that the high demand for college teachers (due to a wave of retirements) never really materialized over the past two decades.

But, if the Bureau of Labor Statistics is forecasting accurately, the next ten years could be different. Indeed, a growth trend of 9% for college professors is much higher than the average across all other occupations.

The downside of launching a job search with your newly won PhD degree is that you’re probably going to be looking for a job that aligns with very specialized knowledge.

Sometimes finding a really on-target job opportunity within such a narrow focus of expertise can be challenging, regardless of broader workforce trends—something to keep in mind as you decide what’s right for you.

How to Decide Whether a PhD is Right for You

Let’s face it, learning more, in general, has its rewards for many people. But it’s worth thinking about whether you really like sustained study and have the deep intellectual curiosity that drives independent research, private reflection, and academic writing.

Also, a PhD in a humanities field such as literature, history, political science, or linguistics, well, it won’t necessarily position you for lots of job options, for great geographic mobility, or mega earnings. In fact, it may take some measure of luck to find and land a college teaching job that fits your specialized area of research.

The big upside is that if you do find a good job, you’ll likely experience a high level of satisfaction working in an institution of learning that rewards your intellectual curiosity and expertise with a comfortable salary, job security, and prestige, and where you can continue academic inquiry alongside other specialists who share similar intellectual passions.

Here are some ways to think about whether getting a PhD is right for you:

1. you simply want to be an expert in your field of interest.

For many people inclined to get a PhD, the very idea of being “stuck” in school again for five to eight years is a key reward in itself! It’s true—this is because a PhD-seeker is usually motivated by a life-long love of academic learning.

In most traditional or online PhD programs , you will spend significant time working closely with an advisor who is highly specialized in your area of research, and you’ll learn to do your own ground-breaking research, write a dissertation, and then, maybe, author an academic book or articles.

Plus, most schools offer part-time PhD programs for those who would like to continue working during the day, or for those who simply don’t want to commit full-time.

2. You want to teach at a college or university

Some people, whether they work in a humanities field or in science and technology fields, simply love research and teaching more than anything else.

If you are in a humanities field, a college teaching job may be one of your best options. If you study a technical field, you’ll probably have more career options. Postsecondary teaching jobs may or may not pay as high as some jobs in the for-profit sector.

3. You want to be a policy researcher, leader, and authority

If you want to be a high-level policy expert or a distinguished authority in a specific area of investigation (historian, policy analyst, investigative journalist, or scientific or engineering researcher), you’ll probably need the kind of intensive study and research training that only a PhD program is likely to provide.

Studying for your PhD can not only help you learn a lot about your field of interest, but it can also help you gain deep insights into present knowledge gaps and the areas of greatest potential for new groundbreaking investigation.

5 Things You Can Do with a PhD Degree

A PhD degree may put you on a pathway to a range of jobs based on your interests and aptitudes.

1. College Professor

This is a career path fueled by intellectual curiosity and the satisfaction that comes from helping new generations of students develop their knowledge and become innovative thinkers in their own right.

As a postsecondary teacher, you can get paid to study and teach about a subject you love. Depending on the kind of postsecondary school you work in, you might spend more time teaching or more time researching and publishing.

You may also travel periodically, attending professional conferences, for example, or doing a teaching stint or research fellowship at another college. If you want to teach at a community college, technical school, or vocational adult school, you may find a range of part-time and full-time opportunities, but perhaps for less pay.

2. Educational Administration

At most colleges and universities, the administrators running the school often have resumes with advanced academic degrees and several years of postsecondary teaching experience, even though these qualifications may not directly relate to their administrative office.

As a school system administrator, you may support curriculum development or student services, or you may be in charge of hiring and facilitating staff development efforts or overseeing departmental budgets.

At the highest levels of higher education leadership, you may help envision system innovations, direct public relations campaigns, and influence overarching spending priorities. In pubic K12 systems, a PhD is not required for getting a teaching job but may earn you salary stipends and put you on track for district-level jobs down the road.

3. Policy Analyst

Ever thought about being part of a think tank or inter-governmental research panel? If you want to move into senior-level policy research and advocacy, then a PhD and a documented trail of specialized publications can help you qualify.

In this kind of job, you will likely collaborate with other experts on creating reports, gathering and interpreting data, and making formal presentations to governments or business groups. You may also contribute to publishing findings and recommendations in scholarly journals.

4. Scientific Researcher

These jobs may give you a chance to use the specialized knowledge and the advanced research skills you developed in a science- or technology-related PhD program to conduct lab-based, statistical, or clinical research.

This kind of work may be public-interest focused or have commercial applications, may land you a job in a government agency, a research university, or in a business entity doing research for product development or for commercial patents.

5. Consultant

If you are an expert in your field of research, you may want to market your knowledge and expertise as an independent contractor or by working with a small or large consulting firm.

As a consultant, you may come alongside other busy professionals who need help with evidence-based planning and decision making and want ready-made tools and data sets for modeling, forecasting, and implementing change-focused initiatives, for developing business strategies, or for improving governance structures or organizational processes.

PhD Degree Alternatives

Whatever your thoughts about getting a PhD, you may want to consider professional degrees as an alternative. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional degrees often offer above-average earnings, comparable to those earnings attributable to holding a PhD.

Here are some examples of professional degrees based on different occupational fields:

• Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) . If you are interested in law but want to practice in a law firm or seek a judgeship, a JD may be a good alternative.
• Medical Doctor (MD), Veterinarian (DVM), Pharmacist (DrPH), or Dentist (DDS) . If you want to work in one of these lucrative medical professions, professional degrees may provide the best option in many cases.
• Doctor of Education (EdD) . If you love teaching, but are interested in moving up into a leadership position in public K12 school system administration or policy, the most practical route in many cases may be to pursue an EdD, rather than a PhD.

In short, for high-level careers in humanities fields, there are few substitutes for the PhD since you’ll probably want a college teaching career.

In more regulated or commercial fields, such as medicine, law, publishing, finance, accounting, public health, and public education, you may often find professional degrees make more sense, unless your sights are set primarily on jobs in academia.

PhD Careers & Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , getting a PhD can help you get a job that allows you to teach and continue researching in your field of interest and often allows for a good salary.

As you can see, for some professionals, it’s probably worth getting a PhD, but the commitment it takes pays off, in many cases, only in part by how much you can boost your earnings…the other rewards are likely to be intellectual curiosity and professional status.

Getting Your PhD Online

For students who are ready to turn an intellectual passion into a life-long intellectual pursuit, advancing from a masters and getting a PhD from an accredited institution is worth it for many students. In fact, you may even want to consider an online PhD program.

Getting a PhD online may provide you more options than you imagine. Think about it before you leap… but if you’re feeling bored at your desk and longing for a return to college life and intellectual growth… well, getting a PhD may be just what the doctor ordered!

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Is Getting a PhD Worth It?

Perhaps you’re finishing up a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or maybe you’ve hit a wall in your career. Now you’re wondering: Should I get a PhD? In the long run, is this the best choice for my career and personal goals? 

You may have friends who have completed doctorate programs or even observed coworkers or professors excelling with PhDs but wondered if it’s the right fit for you. There’s usually a series of roadblocks between the initial daydreaming and enrolling. You hesitate, wondering if this is the right time, if it will pay off, or if you’ll be able to succeed. 

The short answer: Yes. Most PhD students will tell you the time and effort are worth it. The long answer? Ultimately, only you can decide that but the pros outweigh the cons. 

What benefits are there to earning a PhD?

Well, most importantly, you’ll get two new letters in front of your name: Dr. Knows A. Lot.

Reputation Building

Jokes aside, earning a PhD earns you credibility . Employers, whether within academia or off-campus, understand the discipline, knowledge, and tenacity required to complete a doctoral program. 

In most cases, completing a PhD program is enough for others in your field to consider you an expert. Pursuing and completing a PhD shows all future employers you know your industry and you have the fortitude to work hard.

Return on Investment

It’s not always easy to calculate the monetary value of a PhD, but many PhDs will tell you that the return they’ve received on their investment (ROI) was more than worth it. When it comes to ROI , it matters where you get your PhD. 

Depending on your field and the school you choose, the ROI on a PhD is made significantly higher if you don’t have to pay tuition. Many schools, SMU included, offer fellowships and stipends for PhD students, often in addition to a full tuition waiver. This isn’t meant to convince you that PhD students are raking in cash — just a reminder that tuition isn’t necessarily a burden for doctoral students. PhD students do get paid

Pursuit of Passion

You may have experienced the dread that comes with a job search where you’re under qualified. You see the posting. You notice the employer and job title. Wow, this is your dream job . You skim the description and think, “I could probably do that!”. You get to the bottom, “Preferred Qualifications”. Yikes. You’re not quite there. Your PhD will open those doors, remove the barriers, and welcome you to the highest level of your career. Gone are the days of being under qualified. This is your time to shine.

Remember those doors that were closed before? Your PhD helps you find a network of people who can help you open them. Your classmates turn into colleagues, your professors into trusted friends, and those barriers start to fall down as you surround yourself with people who share your passion. 

Oh yeah, that little thing. Your passion. The subject and field you’ve been dreaming about since you were a child. Or maybe just since undergrad. It’s become part of your personal identity. Pursuing a PhD allows you to learn more, dig deeper, and climb higher in the field that you already enjoy. Even if you’re not looking to stay in academia forever, the PhD in your chosen field gives you the ability to stay a while longer and decide how best to use your skills.

What are the Reasons Not to Get a PhD?

Getting a PhD has a lot of benefits, but there are risks to consider, too.

The time commitment : this may take years. PhD programs take an average of 6 years to complete. 

The financial commitment: if you’re not in a fully-funded program, this may cost a lot. Not only in tuition, but in “lost wages,” too. Most PhD students don’t have time to work on top of earning their degree. 

But, the financial commitment is often offset by the earning potential of a PhD. On average, PhDs make over $30,000 more annually than those holding only a bachelor’s degree, but keep in mind that number varies between the humanities, business, and science industries. 

The energy commitment: earning a PhD can be hard work. The good news is you’re not in it alone at SMU. We offer a robust career services office and dedicated student support services for PhD students like housing, counseling, and community connections.

The risk: what if this doesn’t work out? But what if it does? 

Have you ever considered that in pursuing a PhD, you’ll be the expert on your chosen topic? You’ll have your classmates to lean on, but your thesis is specific to you. Your dissertation, though a lot of work, will put you as the thought leader of that specific topic. Combining your passion, credibility, network, and dreams to launch into your next phase of life. 

So, is a PhD worth it? We think so.

Learn more about

doctoral degrees at SMU, and how you can choose the right program and thrive in it, in our Guide to Getting a PhD.

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Teach.com / Online Education / Education Degrees / Explore the Best Online EdD Programs for You / Is It Worth Getting a Doctorate in Education (EdD)?

Pursuing a doctorate degree can be a significant investment of time, energy and money. For all that it requires, is an EdD worth it?

Education doctorate (EdD) programs are for those passionate about improving institutions through teaching and learning. If you’re interested in leadership roles in educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofits or corporations, an EdD is worth considering.

Earn an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College

Pursue an Ed.D. online from top-ranked Vanderbilt University Peabody College. Master degree or 30 credit hours of graduate-level study required. Build advanced leadership skills in as few as 3 years. 

• Become an influential leader in your organization  
• Part-time or full-time schedules available  
• Complete your Ed.D. in as little as three years 

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Earn your Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations Online from the University of Dayton

Master holders, earn your Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations online from the University of Dayton in as few as 3 years. 3.0+ GPA required to apply.

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USC Rossier School of Education's online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Change and Leadership

Earn an EdD from USC Rossier School of Education; 3.0+ GPA required to apply. Designed for leaders with 6-10 years of experience. Accelerated track available.

• Master’s not required  
• Live online classes  
• Immersive curriculum  
• Drive innovation across industries 

What Is an EdD Degree?

An EdD degree prepares students for leadership roles at administrative levels. The curriculum generally focuses on providing students with the management, critical thinking and problem-solving skills they will need to impact the fields of K-12 and higher education in meaningful ways. The research skills developed and knowledge obtained focus on enabling graduates to fill roles as higher-education faculty members, educational leaders in senior positions, policymakers and specialized researchers. Prerequisites for a doctorate in education typically include graduate work along with some years of teaching or professional experience. EdD programs generally also require candidates to have a master’s degree (or at least a bachelor’s degree) and some may require satisfactory GRE scores.

So what does a Doctor of Education teach you and who gets a doctorate in education? Doctor of Education candidates will study subjects such as strategy development, quantitative research and data collection. Students can also expect to study qualitative and quantitative research methods. Because concentrations, coursework and curriculum delivery vary from institution to institution, it is important to explore the various doctorate in education programs available before you apply to any school. You may find that an  online Doctor of Education program  is the best fit for you.

4 Reasons to Pursue an Education Doctorate

While the reasons for getting a Doctor of Education can vary greatly, there are a few common ones among EdD candidates. Some of them include:

1. You Want a Leadership Role Within Your Organization

Doctorate of Education programs are designed to prepare students for educational leadership jobs in academic institutions, school districts, government agencies, charitable organizations and in the private sector. While there are EdD recipients who become teaching professors, some may not have academic ambitions. An EdD is a professional degree geared toward teaching students problem-solving skills that will help them meet the challenges that educational leaders face today.

2. You Want to Work in K-12 Schools or as Part of a College or University Administration

Professionals with doctorates in education often work for school systems as principals, vice principals, program directors, academic advisors,  superintendents  and deans. EdD specializations and concentrations offer students a chance to hone in on areas such as K-12 education, early childhood education, higher education, school leadership and classroom leadership. Because administrators and educators today face growing challenges to improve learning experiences and make their institutions the best they can be for students, earning an EdD may be a worthwhile endeavor for these professionals. That is because these doctoral programs focus on preparing school and district leaders to solve complex problems and initiate innovative solutions.

3. You Like Problem-Solving Modern Technological Challenges in Education

Today’s educators and students are facing ever-changing educational environments, including on the  technological front. In the classroom and online, technologies are emerging to help facilitate learning and improve operations. School administrators and education leaders help manage and oversee education technology from the selection of what programs and hardware to invest in to the systems that keep students, faculty and data safe and secure online.  Emerging educational technologies have helped modernize the U.S. education system, allowing for a more personalized learning environment for students.

Some graduate schools offer educational technology concentration options in their education doctoral programs. Such programs focus on software and hardware development, implementation and applications to facilitate and enrich the learning experience.

4. You Prefer Practical Applications Over Philosophical Doctoral Coursework

If pondering about abstract concepts is not your preferred learning experience, then a Doctor of Education may be a fit for you. While studies do typically include some critical examination of theoretical constructs, EdD students (unlike their PhD counterparts) are more focused on practical coursework geared toward finding solutions that can be applied in the moment within their organizations. Because practitioner-based EdD coursework and research are emphasized, program instructors have usually spent time working in the fields that they are teaching about.

Benefits of a Doctor of Education

Still wondering to yourself, “Why should I get my EdD?” There are some salient ways in which the degree may benefit you depending on your career goals. For example, an EdD may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to:

• Become a leader in your organization or institution.  A number of education leadership positions require a master’s degree, but jobs like provosts and deans often may require a Doctorate of Education or PhD.
• Be a positive agent of change within an educational system or school district.  With an EdD, you can develop skills for advancing learning, transforming curriculum and addressing systems that are underperforming, so that students and faculty are better served.
• Improve your ability to craft strategies that advance organizational change within an industry, corporation, nonprofit, community or other non-educational institution.  An EdD with a concentration in organizational leadership focuses on high-level management, culture, learning, communications, systems, strategy and other foundations of organizational change.
• Improve your earning potential with an EdD degree.  There is no guarantee that an EdD will lead to an increase in salary, however,  the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that average earnings are generally higher for individuals with an advanced degree than for those whose highest degree is a bachelor’s.

What Jobs Can You Pursue with a Doctorate in Education?

There are many types of Doctorate of Education careers to consider. Some are found in educational institutions and others in government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. Some common career paths include:

• School Superintendent
• School Principal (elementary, middle school, or high school)
• Curriculum Director
• Instructional Coordinator
• Chief Learning Officer
• Education Administrator (College or University President, Dean, Provost, Registrar)
• Training and Development Manager
• Human Resources Director
• Nonprofit Director
• Education Technology Specialist
• Education Lobbyist (also Policy Maker)

But can you teach at a university with an EdD? Yes, you can. While PhD recipients commonly teach at the college and university level, there are professors who hold EdDs as well. Both the PhD and EdD programs require rigorous research, but since the PhD tends to have a greater focus in this area, it is generally a preferred choice for those looking to teach.

Financial Return on Investment of an EdD Program

The ROI for an education doctorate depends on many variables, such as the type and size of institution, years of experience and geographic location. As mentioned, it is never a given that a doctorate will result in higher wages. However, a U.S. Census study featured in an  Urban Institute report [PDF, 2.1 MB]  examined the average earnings of individuals aged 35-44 years old holding various levels of degrees in 2015 and found that they were significantly higher for individuals with an advanced degree than for those whose highest degree is a bachelor’s. The average earnings for those with master’s degrees were 23% higher than those with bachelor’s degrees, and the average earnings premium for doctoral degree recipients was 63% higher than those with bachelor’s degrees.

How Much Could a Doctorate Increase Your Salary on Average?

Salary expectations with a Doctor of Education can be hard to determine for specific jobs, but the salary outlook for EdD careers in general appears to be steady. While the BLS does not record EdD holders’ salary data separate from non-EdD holders, one common occupation for those known to enroll in doctor of education programs is the postsecondary education administrator. For that job,  the highest 10% earned more than $199,400, while the median annual salary was $97,500 . Below is a sample of top 10% earners vs median annual salaries for other common EdD jobs for comparison.

• Elementary, Middle School, or High School Principal Jobs  – $152,500 vs. $98,490
• Training and Development Manager Jobs  – $200,210 vs. $115,640
• Instructional Coordinator Jobs  – $105,650 vs. $66,970

The median annual salaries above are derived from the  BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook  as of December 2, 2020.

Is an EdD Degree Worth It: FAQs

When trying to decide whether to get an EdD degree or not, candidates often have questions about the programs they are considering applying to. Some frequently asked questions are below.

Both degrees are prestigious achievements for postgraduate students in education. The more important question to ask when deciding between PhD vs EdD degrees is really which degree best fits your interests and career goals. PhD programs are geared to prepare graduates for careers in academia while EdD programs are designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in school administrations, academic institutions and in related fields. Before you decide which doctorate program is right for you, learn more about the differences between  EdD vs PhD programs .

There may be some EdD programs that do not require you to first get your master’s degree. However, in most cases, prerequisites for a doctorate in education include a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, some years of classroom teaching and/or relevant leadership work and a minimum GPA. Requirements and coursework will vary from program to program. You will need to contact individual schools to find out what specific doctorate of education program requirements they have.

Once you have decided that an EdD is for you, you might be wondering, “How long does it take to obtain a Doctor of Education?” Generally speaking, it takes students about three to four years to earn a doctorate of education. Some curricula are weekend-based to accommodate working professionals. Online EdD programs can sometimes be completed in as little as 32 months and provide flexibility for busy working students. Often, school years are divided into summer, fall and spring semesters.

A Doctor of Education is just one advanced degree choice. If you’re more interested in  teaching degrees , a PhD in education might be a better fit, or perhaps a master’s degree. There are programs specialized for individuals who want to pursue roles like school counselor, ESL teacher and school social worker. And you can also find programs that are available online. Additional degrees you can explore include: • Master of Teaching (MAT) • Master of Arts in Teaching – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) • Master’s in Education (MEd) • Master’s in Library Science (MLS) • Master’s in School Counseling • Master’s in Social Work (MSW)

So is it worth getting a doctorate in education? Ultimately, the answer is based on your personal and professional goals, situation and interests. An EdD may benefit those who want to become leaders in education and who are dedicated to improving and elevating educational outcomes and experiences.

Last Updated April 2021

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International Edition

• 3 . 01 . 20
• Leaving Academia

Is a PhD Worth It? I Wish I’d Asked These 6 Questions First.

• Posted by: Chris

Updated Nov. 19, 2022

Is a PhD worth it?

Should I get a PhD?

A few people admit to regretting their PhD. Most—myself included — said that they don’t ( I wrote about why in this post ).

But we often say we don’t regret stupid things we’ve done or bad things that happen to us. This means we learned from them, not that we wanted them to happen.

So just because PhDs don’t regret it, doesn’t mean it was worth it.

But if you were to ask, Is a PhD worth it, it’s a different and more complicated question.

When potential PhD students ask me for advice, I hate giving it. I can’t possibly say whether it will be worth it for them. I only know from experience that for some PhDs the answer is no.

In this post, I’ll look at this question from five different directions, five different ways that a PhD could be worth it. Then I give my opinion on each one. You can tell me if I got the right ones of if I’m way off base. So here we go.

This is post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting Roostervane!

tl;dr It’s up to you to make it worth it. A PhD can hurt your finances, sink you in debt, and leave you with no clear path to success in some fields. But PhDs statistically earn more than their and have lower unemployment rates. A PhD also gives you a world-class mind, a global network, and a skill set that can go just about anywhere.

Should I Get a PhD?

tl;dr Don’t get a PhD by default. Think it through. Be clear about whether it’s going to help you reach career goals, and don’t expect to be a professor. A few rules of thumb- make sure you know where you want to go and whether a PhD is the ONLY way to get there, make sure it’s FUNDED (trust me), and make sure your program has strong ties into industry and a record of helping its students get there.

1. Is a PhD worth it for your finances?

My guess: Not usually

People waste a lot of their best years living on a grad stipend. To be honest, my money situation was pretty good in grad school. I won a large national grant, I got a ton of extra money in travel grants, and my Canadian province gave me grants for students with dependents. But even with a decent income, I was still in financial limbo–not really building wealth of any sort.

And many students scrape by on very small stipends while they study.

When it comes to entering the marketplace, research from Canada and the United States shows that PhD students eventually out-earn their counterparts with Master’s degrees. It takes PhDs a few years to find their stride, but most of us eventually do fine for earnings if we leave academia. Which is great, and perhaps surprising to many PhDs who think that a barista counter is the only non-academic future they have .

The challenge is not income–it’s time. If you as a PhD grad make marginally more than a Master’s graduate, but they entered the workforce a decade earlier, it takes a long time for even an extra $10,000 a year to catch up. The Master’s grad has had the time to build their net worth and network, perhaps buy a house, pay down debt, invest, and just generally get financially healthy.

While PhDs do fine in earnings in the long run, the opportunity cost of getting the PhD is significant.

The only real way to remedy this—if you’ve done a PhD and accumulating wealth is important to you, is to strategically maximize your earnings and your value in the marketplace to close the wealth gap. This takes education, self-discipline, and creativity, but it is possible.

I tried to calculate the opportunity cost of prolonging entry into the workforce in this post .

2. Is a PhD worth it for your career?

My guess: Impossible to tell

Most of my jobs have given me the perfect opportunity to see exactly where I could be if I’d stopped at a Master’s degree, often working alongside or for those who did and are further ahead. In terms of nuts and bolts of building career experience section on a resume, which is often the most important part, a PhD is rarely worth it. (Some STEM careers do require a PhD.)

However, at the start of my post-graduate educational journey, I was working part-time running teen programs and full time as a landscaper. I had an undergraduate degree. Despite my job and a half, I was still poor. My life had no direction, and had I not begun my Master’s to PhD journey I probably would have stayed there.

The PhD transformed me personally. It did this by developing my skills, or course. But even more so, it taught me that anything is possible. It took a poor kid from a mining town in northern Canada and gave me access to the world. It made my dreams of living abroad come true. I learned that anything is possible. And that will never go away.

It’s changed the course of my life and, subsequently, my career.

It’s impossible for you to know if it’s worth it for your career. But you can build a hell of a career with it.

So it wouldn’t be fair for me to say, “don’t get a PhD.” Because it worked out for me, and for some it does.

But there are a heck of a lot of people who haven’t figured out how to build a career with this thing. Which is one of the reasons Roostervane exists in the first place.

Psst! If you’re looking at doing a PhD because you don’t know where to go next with your career–I see you. Been there. Check out my free PDF guide– How to Build a Great Career with Any Degree.

3. Is a PhD worth it for your personal brand?

My guess: Probably

There’s some debate over whether to put a Dr. or PhD before or after your name. People argue over whether it helps in the non-academic marketplace. Some feel that it just doesn’t translate to whatever their new reality is. Some have been told by some manager somewhere that they’re overqualified and pulled themselves back, sometimes wiping the PhD off their resume altogether.

The truth is, if you have a PhD, the world often won’t know what to do with it. And that’s okay. Well-meaning people won’t understand how you fit into the landscape, and you may have to fight tooth and nail for your place in it. People may tell you they can’t use you, or they might go with what they know—which is someone less qualified and less-educated.

It happens.

But someone with a PhD at the end of their name represents an indomitable leader. So grow your possibilities bigger and keep fighting. And make your personal brand match those three little letters after your name. Do this so that the world around can’t help but see you as a leader. More importantly, do it so that you don’t forget you are.

Should I put “PhD” after my name on LinkedIn?

5 reasons you need to brand yourself

4. Is a PhD worth it for your sense of purpose?

Is getting a PhD worth it? For many people the answer is no.

PhDs are hurting.

If you’ve done one, you know. Remember the sense of meaning and purpose that drew you towards a PhD program? Was it still there at the end? If yours was, you’re lucky. I directed my purpose into getting hired in a tenure-track job, and got very hurt when it didn’t happen.

And people have vastly different experiences within programs.

Some people go through crap. But for them their research is everything and putting up with crap is worth it to feel like they have a sense of purpose. Many PhDs who are drawn into programs chasing a sense of purpose leave deeply wounded and disenchanted, ironically having less purpose when they started.

While new PhDs often talk about the PhD as a path do doing “something meaningful,” those of us who have been through entire programs have often seen too much. We’ve either seen or experienced tremendous loss of self. Some have friends who didn’t make it out the other end of the PhD program.

But there are some PhDs who have a great experience in their programs and feel tremendously fulfilled.

As I reflect on it, I don’t think a sense of purpose is inherently fulfilled or disappointed by a PhD program. There are too many variables.

However, if you’re counting on a PhD program to give you a sense of purpose, I’d be very careful. I’d be even more cautious if purpose for you means “tenure-track professor.” Think broadly about what success means to you and keep an open mind .

5. Is my discipline in demand?

Okay, so you need to know that different disciplines have different experiences. Silicon Valley has fallen in love with some PhDs, and we’re seeing “PhD required” or “PhD preferred” on more and more job postings. So if your PhD is in certain, in-demand subjects… It can be a good decision.

My humanities PhD, on the other hand, was a mistake. I’m 5 years out now, and I’ve learned how to use it and make money with it. That’s the great news. But I’d never recommend that anyone get a PhD in the humanities. Sorry. I really wish I could. It’s usually a waste of years of your life, and you’ll need to figure out how to get a totally unrelated job after anyway.

TBH, most of the skills I make money with these days I taught myself on Skillshare .

6. Is a PhD worth it for your potential?

My guess: Absolutely

Every human being has unlimited potential, of course. But here’s the thing that really can make your PhD worth it. The PhD can amplify your potential. It gives you a global reach, it gives you a recognizable brand, and it gives you a mind like no other.

One of my heroes is Brené Brown. She’s taken research and transformed the world with it, speaking to everyone from Wall-Street leaders to blue-collar workers about vulnerability, shame, and purpose. She took her PhD and did amazing things with it.

Your potential at the end of your PhD is greater than it has ever been.

The question is, what will you do with that potential?

Many PhD students are held back, not by their potential, but by the fact that they’ve learned to believe that they’re worthless. Your potential is unlimited, but when you are beaten and exhausted, dragging out of a PhD program with barely any self-worth left, it’s very hard to reach your potential. You first need to repair your confidence.

But if you can do that, if you can nurture your confidence and your greatness every day until you begin to believe in yourself again, you can take your potential and do anything you want with it.

So why get a PhD?

Because it symbolizes your limitless potential. If you think strategically about how to put it to work.

PhD Graduates Don’t Need Resumes. They Need a Freaking Vision

By the way… Did you know I wrote a book about building a career with a PhD? You can read the first chapter for free on Amazon.

So if you’re asking me, “should I do a PhD,” I hope this post helps you. Try your best to check your emotion, and weigh the pros and cons.

And at the end of the day, I don’t think that whether a PhD is worth it or not is some fixed-in-stone thing. In fact, it depends on what you do with it.

So why not make it worth it? Work hard on yourself to transform into a leader worthy of the letters after your name, and don’t be afraid to learn how to leverage every asset the PhD gave you.

One of the reasons I took my PhD and launched my own company is that I saw how much more impact I could have and money I could be making as a consultant (perhaps eventually with a few employees). As long as I worked for someone else, I could see that my income would likely be capped. Working for myself was a good way to maximize my output and take control of my income.

It’s up to you to make it worth it. Pick what’s important to you and how the degree helps you get there, and chase it. Keep an open mind about where life will take you, but always be asking yourself how you can make more of it.

Check out the related post- 15 Good, Bad, and Awful Reasons People Go to Grad School. — I Answer the Question, “Should I Go to Grad School?” )

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Is a Ph.D. Worth It Anymore? Cont'd

Three more readers share their critical experiences of working toward a Ph.D. and the postdoctorate that often accompanies it. Here’s Mary:

I spent (too many) years in a prestigious PhD program. During my post-doc, I saw newly-hired Assistant Professors work 60-hour weeks to generate preliminary data in order to secure funding during lean years (early ‘90s). They spent their Saturdays in the lab, bringing their young children with them. (The kids wrote on white boards. One spouse cleaned the lab.) Quite simply, I did not possess the interest or drive for this kind of life. When my son was born, I determined that I would earn a living in a way that provided economic security, as well as time to be there for him. Initially, I was fortunate to secure a non-research position in a government agency. I later moved to the private sector. There is an arrogance about academia that is imparted to doctoral students: that the tenure-track position is “pure” research and the only honorable path for a PhD. Stuff and nonsense.

Begin with the rate at which students for a particular advisor may graduate. One per year? One every other year? In a 30-year career, a lab chief may churn out 20 PhDs. There are far too few academic positions to justify this; rather, graduate students and post-docs are inexpensive labor. I wonder about the thinking that keeps trainees believing that they will be the exceptional ones to beat those odds. I love what I do, and those 10 years were worth the opportunity cost. In my 21-year career, I have used my training, and the way I learned to think, most days. Bonus: I have a life outside work. Look around, students: The academic career is not your only, or even your best, option.

Ilya would agree, and he emphasizes the upsides of the private sector to drive scientific progress:

Bachelor’s degrees are not for all people and all walks of life, and advanced degrees all the more so. I tried to get a Ph.D. in an engineering field. Leaving with a master’s was a great decision, even though it was largely forced on me. Over the ensuing years, I watched my friends who had stayed for the long slog become increasingly bitter. Here’s why. Academic research is the right channel, if not the only channel, for strikingly original, pathbreaking work. Once a field begins to attract private investment, however, academia needs to step back. Once a field has reached a certain level of popularity and recognition, the number of strivers greatly exceeds the number of original directions available, leading to duplicate work and dissertations of little value. In fields (such as mine) that require expensive and temperamental lab equipment, a company can afford to buy the best tools and hire technicians to maintain them. Graduate students waste years fussing over obsolete instruments. And, finally, academia tends to breed faculty with outsized egos who abuse students as a source of cheap labor for their pet projects. Companies, although not perfect, are much better at aligning the interests of frontline workers and management, and at killing projects that aren’t worthwhile. A doctorate remains the minimum credential to be a professor, which is fair. In some fields, though, even companies will not consider applicants who lack doctorates. This is part fetishism, part hazing ritual. In my field, I have found a Ph.D. to be usually valued as much or less than an equivalent number of years of private-sector experience, and we’re all better off for it.

This anonymous reader, like Ilya, will probably settle for a master’s:

All of my comments are in reference to graduate school in STEM disciplines, since I do not have experience in grad school in other fields. As a graduate student considering exiting my program as a 5th year, I can tell you in all honesty that a PhD is not “worth” it—for me, at least . Too many eager students earning a bachelor’s degree in STEM are told that they cannot have a worthwhile career without entering grad school. I saw the PhD as one more hoop to jump before I could land a great job that would provide me with the challenges and stability I wanted in a career. I have learned a massive amount and I don’t regret coming to grad school, but I am increasingly regretting staying . Most of what I will take from the PhD will be things I learned in my first two years. In other words, a master’s degree would have been perfect for me. Unfortunately, master’s degree programs in STEM are not encouraged and sometimes frowned upon. The few master’s degree programs that exist do not usually cover students’ tuition or offer any sort of stipend. At top-tier universities where students can only enter PhD programs, master’s degrees are only handed out as “ consolation prizes.” In other words, a master’s degree is a mere exit option for those not able to “tough it out” through the PhD. From an institutional perspective, this makes some financial sense. Why offer a paid master’s program, where students will be novices in the lab and still refining their techniques, when a PhD student will make up for these formative 2 years by effectively “working” 3+ years after the initial phase of their training? This is certainly the case in my lab. I used to fumble with equipment and make rookie mistakes daily. I now train newer students on instruments, assist with experimental design and analysis, and manage a good deal of the lab. I don’t get credit for it, though; I have the same low stipend that I did as a first year. My experience is the norm. It’s expected that you “pay back” for your training in the form of working more and publishing. In fact, certain fellowships require that you financially pay them back if you decide to pursue work outside of academia. Keep in mind that these fellowships are a trainee’s paycheck. If I was awarded one of these postdoctoral fellowships and decided to quit an unhealthy postdoc in month 11, I would owe back 11 months’ worth of my paycheck . If this isn’t indentured servitude, I don’t know what is. Coupled with emotional distress, not knowing where I might be working in a year, the lack of benefits (will I ever be able to retire if I stick with the PhD?), and an overwhelming desire to do something that I am good at and getting compensated appropriately, I can’t see sticking around any longer. The PhD is not the route to career satisfaction that I envisioned. It is no longer a simple hoop; it’s a long, winding, and seemingly never-ending tunnel.

For further reading, Tim recommends:

This entertaining but serious essay by history professor Timothy Burke was required reading when I was at Swarthmore almost 20 years ago. It begins, “Should I go to grad school? Short answer: no.” The essay holds up today—and the job market worries he touches on have, of course, gotten incomprehensibly worse.

Update from a reader:

Big thanks to your reader who pointed out Timothy Burke’s essay on graduate school in the humanities! It led me to Timothy Burke’s blog , which has some fascinating viewpoints on current events around globalization, Donald Trump, and the like. Speaking of which, I’m intrigued that so many of the responses on the worth of graduate school are about the sciences rather than the humanities. Is this because the story in the humanities is old news by now? Whereas, in science, you get this weird disconnect between “we need more STEM majors” on the one hand, and the same old math about how many more PhDs there are than tenured posts, on the other. Do we really need more STEM majors? Because a lot of us are pretty worried about becoming unemployed, or spending our lives in badly-paid adjunct posts with no job security.

Here’s one more reader, who stands up for the Ph.D. track and brings us back to the theme of government funding that started this discussion thread:

I’m at the end of my 5th year of my PhD and will graduate in the next year. In many ways, I’m lucky. I work in food safety and microbiology. Since everyone wants to know their food is safe, government funding has been cut less, and we can usually persuade industry or trade associations to fund our applied research. However, we’ve been able to do less basic research than we would have hoped, because when funding is tighter, the government funds projects which are more likely to have immediately applicable results (applied research), and industry only funds applied research. So a lot of good basic science doesn’t get funded. Is a PhD worth it? So far, yes. As a graduate student I've had opportunities to teach, write grants and fellowships, mentor undergrads, help manage the lab, and work on international development projects. I’ve also seen mentoring failures, abusive advisers, and nasty department politics. It is a hard road to a PhD (though I think attributing “Navy SEAL-like brutality” to it is going too far), but it does offer a lot of personal growth opportunities and the joy of research along with the frustration of repeated failure and impostor syndrome. I plan to stay in academia because there is no other position I know of which combines teaching and basic research and opportunities for international development projects like academia does. So I’ve mentally given myself a few years to postdoc and try to get a tenure track job. I think I have a decent idea of what I'm getting myself into ... we shall see. Research funding is the thing which worries me the most.

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Is a University Degree Worth It?

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

A university degree can prepare you for entry-level roles, a new career or help you advance in your current field. The potential to earn a higher salary and lower unemployment rates are just a couple of reasons why pursuing a degree is worth it, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ).*

Other  benefits of a college degree include:

• A broader range of job prospects
• Expansion of your professional network
• Personal growth

Depending on your goals, completing a degree could mean earning an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree:

• Associate degrees typically require 60 credits of coursework, or the equivalent of 20 college courses. They can take up to two years to complete, although some students can finish more quickly. Find out if an associate degree is worth it .
• Bachelor’s degrees require 120 credits of coursework and can take up to four years to complete. Explore the benefits of a bachelor's degree .
• Master's degrees are graduate-level degrees that help you build advanced expertise in your industry or prepare you for a new career. They typically take two years to complete, but the timeframe varies depending on the number of credits in your program and the number of classes you take each term. Determine whether you should get a master's degree .
• Doctoral or professional degrees signal your expert knowledge in a field and can include the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or the Doctor of Education (MEd). Is a doctorate degree worth it? Consider your personal and professional goals .

Thanks to the flexibility provided by the different types of programs and degree options available, you can often balance work and personal responsibilities with your coursework.

Even if it's been years since you've learned in a classroom setting, your education can often be tailored to your schedule and needs , said Olivia Casey, MEd , admission lead at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

"I speak with adult learners coming back to school after being out of the classroom for a long time, and their biggest fear is they can't do it," she said. "But you can. Education is for everyone: there's no right or wrong time to start a degree."

Can You Earn More Money With a Degree?

No matter what degree you complete, the data shows it still pays to advance your education. A degree resulted in higher median weekly salaries for workers in 2023, BLS reports:

• Those with associate degrees earned a median of $1,058 per week, or 17.7% more than high school graduates who earned just $899 weekly.*
• Individuals with bachelor’s degrees earned a median weekly salary of $1,493, while those with master’s degrees earned $1,737.*
• Holders of doctorates or professional degrees enjoyed weekly median salaries of $2,109 and $2,206, respectively.*

It's important to remember that these numbers represent an average and could vary widely depending on your job, field, employer, major, geographic location and degree type.

A University Degree Pays Off in Personal Satisfaction

His organization aims to serve as a “resource broker” for veterans seeking assistance. He credited his university experience for giving him the tools to bring his dream to life and set an example for others in his community.

“A lot of young kids look up to me, and I try to counsel as many people as I can, encourage them to be a better person," Williams said. "Hopefully, I can get an opportunity to motivate more people through my actions and the things I've learned through the program.”

Find Your Program

Does a degree still have value to employers.

While some companies are dropping or loosening their degree requirements in favor of skill-based hiring, a recent study from Harvard Business School and The Burning Glass Institute have found that employers haven't changed their actual hiring behavior ( PDF Source ).

A report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce also projects that, by 2031, 72% of jobs in the country will require a degree or some sort of post-secondary training. Of those jobs, 29% will require some college or an associate degree and 42% will require a bachelor’s degree or higher.

A university degree is worth it because it shows employers that you have the technical skills and the “ soft skills ” needed to be successful in your role. According to a recent LinkedIn study , some of the skills employers most often look for in candidates include problem-solving skills, the ability to learn new things, analytical skills and the ability to communicate clearly.

If you’re concerned about future employment, BLS data shows that having a degree decreased the risk of unemployment for people in 2023.*

Workers with an associate degree had a 2.7% unemployment rate, those with a bachelor’s degree had a 2.2% unemployment rate and those with a master’s degree had a 2% unemployment rate, according to BLS.* Those with only a high school diploma had a 3.9% unemployment rate, BLS reported.*

What Degrees are Employers Looking For?

Employers are looking for candidates with degrees and majors that will prepare them to apply their critical thinking and technical skills on the job. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , in 2022, the top five most common degree fields were:

• Business management and administration
• General business

While engineering, computer science and other STEM degrees didn't make the top five majors list in 2022, the National Center for Education Statistics in 2021 reported that 5% and 3% of college degrees were awarded in these majors, respectively.

Some of today’s most in-demand jobs can be found in these sectors, and earning a degree can make you attractive to employers.

In 2023, STEM workers earned a median annual salary of $101,650, according to BLS.* Some roles, such as information security analyst, which typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer science , are expected to grow a whopping 32% within the next decade, BLS reported.* Computer and information systems managers, who also typically hold bachelor’s degrees, earned a median salary of $169,510 in 2023, according to BLS.*

Healthcare 

Depending upon your major and degree, you can prepare yourself for roles such as health information technologist, registered nurse or nurse practitioner. In 2023, according to BLS, health information technologists, who typically enter the field with an associate degree, earned $62,990 , whereas registered nurses earned an average median salary of $86,070 .*

Business and Management

Individuals working as bookkeeping , accounting and auditing clerks, who typically enter the field with an associate degree, made a median annual salary of $47,440 in 2023, BLS reports.* Administrative and facilities managers, who typically enter the field with bachelor’s degrees, earned an average median salary of $104,900 , according to BLS.*

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree  can further position you for management roles in several areas of business, including human resources, information systems marketing and operations, to name a few. According to a 2023 report, employers that took part in a survey administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council projected 2023 starting salaries for MBAs to be a median of $125,000, compared to $75,000 for those with bachelor’s degrees ( GMAC PDF source ).*

Regardless of your degree or field of study, you'll acquire valuable skills that will enhance your appeal to potential employers.

It's Never Too Late to Pursue Your Degree

Just a few months into the program, she secured an HR generalist job at a small manufacturing company and began working with her supervisor to grow into a future management position . Woodard credited the university's accessibility team  and advisors for regularly checking in with her on her progress, which helped her reach the finish line.

"I wish I could've done it earlier, but I don't regret any steps I did or didn't take," Woodard said. "Timing is different for everyone, so if you're thinking about going back to school, do it when it's right for you."

Education Sparks Future Growth

In her admission role, Casey helps adult students from various backgrounds determine their goals, evaluate program options and plan their schedules. Many students have shared with her the impact earning a degree has had on their lives — beyond landing a new job or earning more money. Some said their degrees helped them become more confident, communicate better or solve tough problems they couldn't tackle before. Others said college changed the lives of the people around them.

"When we hear education changes lives, we often latch on to the job or income part," she said. "But education changes your life in every facet you can think of."

Determining whether a university degree is worth it depends on your career goals, personal situation and future aspirations. While completing a degree requires work, the long-term benefits are worthwhile for many.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Krysten Godfrey Maddocks ’11G is a writer who covers K-12 and higher education topics, including policy and the role of digital technology in education. She spent almost a decade working in various marketing roles at an educational assessment company before launching a strategic marketing company. Maddocks earned a master's degree in marketing from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor's degree in English/ journalism from the University of New Hampshire. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

Explore more content like this article

How Long Does it Take to Get a Master's Degree?

How to Survive High School and Prepare for College

How Long Does it Take to Get an Associate Degree?

About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

Private equity is getting into the special-education business. It's not all going smoothly.

• BI just published an investigation into special-education-focused schools owned by PE firms.
• Cost-cutting to maximize profits has some saying that quality has suffered.
• It's an important story you should read.

My colleague Meghan Morris just published an investigation into what happened to a chain of special-education-focused private schools when a private-equity firm took over .

As you might guess, it wasn't all good.

It's an important story because, unlike an investment in, say, a button factory or a call center, this company has a lot of power over some of our most vulnerable young people.

Meghan found that cost-cutting and other practices led some parents to believe their kids were getting a lesser education. For its part, the school chain said it'd made investments in staff and facilities under PE ownership. Private-equity firms have been buying into hospitals and healthcare in recent years. There's some research suggesting this has led to worse patient outcomes. And in March, the Federal Trade Commission announced it was investigating PE's potential detrimental effect on healthcare.

Meghan's story is something every parent — and every taxpayer — should know about. Go read it here .

Watch: Why childcare has become so unaffordable

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