Best Doctorate in Reading Teacher Education Programs

Check out our ranking of the best doctorate in reading teacher education programs.

Edited by

Updated December 18, 2024

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A doctorate in reading teacher education prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, curriculum development, and school district leadership. While requirements vary by school, these doctoral reading programs usually consist of about 40-80 credits. Doctoral students often spend their first few years in the program taking coursework. Then, they spend the remainder of the program performing original research and writing their dissertations.

Completion times vary widely by school, as doctoral students spend varying amounts of time on their dissertations. However, most learners can expect to graduate in about 4-7 years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2019-2020 school year, graduate students at public schools paid an average $12,410 in annual tuition and fees. Graduate students at private schools paid $26,597 annually on average. The true cost of attending online college is often cheaper than on-campus programs.

Read on to learn more about the best doctorate in reading education programs at both public and private universities.

Best Accredited Doctorate in Reading Teacher Education Programs

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI4 yearCampus + Online

$10,880

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,880

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

81%

Acceptance Rate

28%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,798

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,798

Retention Rate

60%

Students Enrolled

1,896

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,880

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,880

Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,880

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,880

Acceptance Rate

81%

Online Enrollment

28%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,798

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,798

Retention Rate

60%

Students Enrolled

1,896

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Concordia University-Chicago

River Forest, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$8,910

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,910

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

75%

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,926

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,926

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

6,205

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,910

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,910

Concordia University-Chicago

River Forest, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,910

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,910

Acceptance Rate

75%

Online Enrollment

68%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,926

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,926

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

6,205

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Hofstra University

Hempstead, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$25,164

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,164

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

68%

Acceptance Rate

12%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,450

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,450

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

10,804

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,164

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,164

Hofstra University

Hempstead, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,164

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,164

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment

12%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,450

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,450

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

10,804

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Judson University

Elgin, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$27,000

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,000

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

39%

Acceptance Rate

45%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,840

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,840

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

1,233

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,000

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,000

Judson University

Elgin, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,000

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,000

Acceptance Rate

39%

Online Enrollment

45%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,840

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,840

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

1,233

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN4 yearCampus + Online

$8,946

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$24,768

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

36%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,872

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

21,721

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,946

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,768

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,946

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,768

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

36%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,872

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

21,721

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

National Louis University

Chicago, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$11,646

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,646

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

98%

Acceptance Rate

47%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,200

Retention Rate

58%

Students Enrolled

7,005

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,646

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,646

National Louis University

Chicago, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,646

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,646

Acceptance Rate

98%

Online Enrollment

47%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,200

Retention Rate

58%

Students Enrolled

7,005

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$18,546

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$24,648

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

83%

Acceptance Rate

26%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,735

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

19,013

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,546

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,648

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,546

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,648

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment

26%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,735

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

19,013

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

54%

Acceptance Rate

19%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,660

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

17,544

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,100

SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,100

Acceptance Rate

54%

Online Enrollment

19%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,660

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

17,544

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$5,765

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,361

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

83%

Acceptance Rate

53%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,856

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,984

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

21,558

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,765

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,361

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,765

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,361

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment

53%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,856

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,984

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

21,558

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

St John's University-New York

Queens, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$28,569

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$28,569

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

72%

Acceptance Rate

22%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,378

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,378

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

21,718

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$28,569

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,569

St John's University-New York

Queens, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$28,569

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,569

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

22%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,378

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,378

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

21,718

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#11

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$38,880

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,880

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

44%

Acceptance Rate

15%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$50,616

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$50,616

Retention Rate

92%

Students Enrolled

22,850

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,880

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,880

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,880

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,880

Acceptance Rate

44%

Online Enrollment

15%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$50,616

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$50,616

Retention Rate

92%

Students Enrolled

22,850

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#12

Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$4,973

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,569

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

93%

Acceptance Rate

60%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,559

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

15,886

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,973

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,569

Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,973

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,569

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

60%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,559

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

15,886

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#13

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online

$11,938

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$32,065

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

85%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,990

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,273

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

44,577

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,938

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,065

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,938

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,065

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,990

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,273

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

44,577

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#14

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, AR4 yearCampus + Online

$5,760

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,050

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

66%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,495

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,750

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

9,581

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,760

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,050

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, AR4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,760

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,050

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

54%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,495

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,750

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

9,581

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#15

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH4 yearCampus + Online

$12,790

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$24,532

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

77%

Acceptance Rate

49%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,476

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,810

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

39,263

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,790

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,532

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,790

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,532

Acceptance Rate

77%

Online Enrollment

49%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,476

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,810

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

39,263

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#16

University of Georgia

Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online

$8,878

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,186

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

45%

Acceptance Rate

14%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,830

Retention Rate

96%

Students Enrolled

38,920

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,878

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,186

University of Georgia

Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,878

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,186

Acceptance Rate

45%

Online Enrollment

14%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,830

Retention Rate

96%

Students Enrolled

38,920

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#17

University of Maine

Orono, ME4 yearCampus + Online

$8,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$26,388

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

90%

Acceptance Rate

36%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,310

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

11,561

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,388

University of Maine

Orono, ME4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,388

Acceptance Rate

90%

Online Enrollment

36%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,310

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

11,561

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#18

University of North Texas

Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$5,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,496

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

74%

Acceptance Rate

49%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,295

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,423

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

39,336

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,496

University of North Texas

Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,496

Acceptance Rate

74%

Online Enrollment

49%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,295

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,423

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

39,336

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#19

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$36,254

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,254

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$51,156

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$51,156

Retention Rate

98%

Students Enrolled

26,675

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,254

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,254

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,254

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,254

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$51,156

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$51,156

Retention Rate

98%

Students Enrolled

26,675

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#20

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC4 yearCampus + Online

$13,737

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$29,760

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

32%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,288

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,528

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

35,364

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,737

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,760

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,737

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,760

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

32%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,288

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,528

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

35,364

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#21

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$16,285

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$35,274

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

73%

Acceptance Rate

34%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,024

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,894

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

26,824

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,285

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,274

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,285

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,274

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment

34%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,024

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,894

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

26,824

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Teacher Education Programs

Is a doctorate in reading teacher education worth it?

The value of any degree, especially a terminal or doctoral degree, depends heavily on each student’s goals and circumstances. However, for most learners, a doctorate in reading teacher education is ultimately worth it.

This degree can lead to high-paying positions in academia, research, and school districts. Furthermore, a terminal degree can help practicing teachers and administrators climb the career ladder, allowing them to move into supervisory and managerial roles within their fields.

What can I do with a doctorate in reading teacher education?

After you graduate with a doctorate in reading education, you can pursue careers as a professor in graduate education programs, an instructional coordinator within a school district, or as an academic researcher or educational consultant with various companies. Most of these positions require master’s degrees, but a terminal degree in reading teacher education can help you stand out from the competition.

Keep in mind that no one degree can guarantee you a specific job and that demand varies by location, industry, and employer.

How long does it take to get a doctorate in reading teacher education?

Completion times for doctorate in reading teacher education vary widely by school. The main factor that affects this timeline is dissertation requirements. Doctoral students can spend varying amounts of time researching and writing their dissertations, so some learners can spend many years enrolled in doctoral programs. However, most students can earn a doctorate in reading teacher education within 3-7 years.

Some doctoral programs actually set time limits for students, requiring that they finish their dissertations and graduate within a certain number of years.

How much money can I make with a doctorate in reading teacher education?

Salary potential varies by location and field. However, doctoral degree-holders in reading teacher education may make annual salaries ranging from about $60,000-$80,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2021, postsecondary teachers earned a median annual wage of $79,640, while instructional coordinators made a median annual salary of $63,740.

Keep in mind that salary potential depends on several factors, including industry, employer, location, and experience. If you work in a school district, you might earn a salary based on a table or schedule that considers your highest level of education and years of service.

What are the highest-paying jobs with a doctorate in reading teacher education?

The highest-paying job for graduates with a doctorate in reading teacher education is likely a tenured education professor at a college or university. According to the BLS, as of May 2021, the highest 10% of postsecondary teachers — likely professors with significant experience and tenure — earned a median annual wage of more than $172,130.

Salary potential for professors varies by school, by department, and by tenure status. Visiting and adjunct professors generally earn lower salaries.

Feature Image: Hill Street Studios / Stone / Getty Images