Best Online Doctorate in Education Administration Programs 2024

An online doctorate in education administration can prepare you for the highest leadership positions in education.

If you want to make a difference in education, maybe a doctorate in education (Ed.D.) or a doctorate in philosophy (Ph.D.) in education administration are good fits for you. Read on to learn what jobs you can get with these degrees, the classes you’ll take, and what to expect.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Before you begin applying to doctoral programs, it’s important to understand the different kinds of degree programs available for education administration. Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs can prepare you for different careers and can take different amounts of time to earn.

An Ed.D. in education administration focuses on practical skills for administrators who want to go into non-teaching roles (although Ed.D.-holders may also become teachers). These programs typically require students to earn 60 credits and take about 2-3 years to complete.

A Ph.D. program is usually more intense and takes longer to complete. In this kind of program, you are expected to research and complete a dissertation at the end of your program. Graduates with Ph.D.s often become professors and/or researchers full time. These degree programs typically require students to complete 90 credit hours and take 3-5 years to finish.

A doctorate in education administration can open doors for high-paying leadership positions such as principal or superintendent, which typically require a master’s degree. However, just because your degree is in education doesn’t mean you’re limited to teaching or school leadership roles.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), roles for social and community service managers are supposed to grow more quickly than others in the education field during the next decade. These professionals supervise educational nonprofits, social services organizations, and other public well-being organizations, including those that work with schools and communities to improve education access.

If salary is the most important consideration for you when searching for a job, consider the field of human resources. Human resources managers earned a median annual salary of $136,350 in May 2023, per the BLS. Pursuing a doctorate in education administration can teach you useful skills relevant to human resources — you’ll graduate with the insight needed to recruit and hire educators and administrators.

Graduates with doctorates in education administration can lead to high-paying, fast-growing jobs, whether in education or in related fields. Check out some roles you can pursue with this degree in the chart below.

Whether a doctorate in education administration is worth your time and money depends on your career goals. Education administration roles can pay anywhere from $60,000-$136,000 per year, so your return on investment varies based on the positions you’re interested in. Plus, to qualify for positions like academic dean or college president, you need years of experience in addition to the years it takes to earn your doctorate.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a doctorate can be costly and timely — the average cost of a Ph.D. is over $40,000 per year. However, you may be able to find financial support through grants, stipends, and fellowships to bring costs down.

Support doesn’t end when you graduate from your program. Education administration professionals can join professional organizations for a yearly fee to gain a network of peers, resources, and access to conferences.

If you want to set yourself apart from other education administrators, you can pursue certifications to showcase your skills and qualifications.

Below, find three certifications in some of the most common industries for professionals with doctorates in education administration.

This in-person cohort-based certification program is for any superintendent with seven or fewer years of experience who wants to refresh their skills and “re-energize.”

The certification program offers superintendents one-on-one mentoring and connections with other superintendents. It costs $6,000 for AASA members and $6,500 for non-members.

The SHRM-CP is for entry-level professionals in operational roles, while the SHRM-SCP is for professionals with at least three years of experience in strategic-level HR or HR-related fields. SHRM says that professionals with this certification reported earning 14-15% higher salaries than non-certified peers.

SHRM offers the certification test entirely online or in person. The society recommends that participants study for at least 3-4 months for the exam. The standard fee for SHRM members is $410, while the standard fee for non-members is $510.

The CEP certification requires a master’s degree in an educational field, substantial relevant experience in academic planning, and a list of at least 30 campuses you visited in the last five years. The test costs $300, and you must pay an additional $150 each year to keep your certification valid. CEPs must also apply for recertification every five years.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 14, 2024.