CollegeRanker · Doctoral
Doctoral Programs, Ranked by Outcomes
Doctoral programs are the highest academic credential — and the longest commitment. We mapped the few that lead to meaningful salary jumps and career differentiation, with outcomes data for every program.
- 8
- Doctoral programs
- 3
- Fields covered
- $229,300
- Top median salary
- 1
- Rankings
Scorecard Highlights for Doctoral
- $144,691
- Average median salary
- 2
- High-growth programs 20%+ projected growth
- 6
- $100K+ earners Median salary over six figures
- B+ 77/100
- Top rated Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
Level Intelligence
Market Intelligence for Doctoral Programs
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8 doctoral programs are tracked in our database. The highest median salary belongs to Medicine (MD) at $229,300.
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Growth is strongest in Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) (40%), with 2 programs projecting 20%+ expansion.
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Nursing (DNP) leads the level in AI resilience at 94/100. The level average is 84, reflecting how Doctoral programs map to AI-disrupted and AI-enhanced careers.
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0 programs at this level combine low educational barriers with median salaries above $80K — high-leverage options.
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0 programs at this level show 2% or lower projected growth — fields worth approaching with caution.
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Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) earns the top overall scorecard grade (B+, 77/100) among Doctoral programs.
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The Healthcare category has the most Doctoral programs (6), spanning the widest range of outcomes.
Why the Doctoral Matters
Doctoral programs are the highest academic credential and the longest commitment. Most don’t produce a salary increase proportional to the time invested — but the few that do (medicine, law, advanced nursing) are among the strongest returns in all of higher education.
Key insight
Only pursue a doctorate if the career it unlocks requires one. A PhD without a clear professional goal is a very expensive credential with uncertain ROI.
Highest-Paying Doctoral Degrees
Top Doctoral Rankings
Schools ranked by what graduates earn, how far they climb, and whether the degree pays for itself.
Healthcare
6 doctoral programs ranked by outcomes
- B Doctoral Online
Nursing (DNP)
$145,000 median · 40% growth
$100K+ Very high AI 94 4 careers
- C- Doctoral
Pharmacy (PharmD)
$136,030 median · 3% growth
$100K+ Steady AI 78 4 careers
- C Doctoral
Physical Therapy (DPT)
$99,710 median · 14% growth
Strong Strong AI 94 4 careers
- C Doctoral
Medicine (MD)
$229,300 median · 3% growth
Top tier Steady AI 78 5 careers
- C+ Doctoral
Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
$119,100 median · 19% growth
$100K+ High AI 78 4 careers
- B+ Doctoral
Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
$212,650 median · 40% growth
Top tier Very high AI 94 3 careers
Law
1 doctoral programs ranked by outcomes
Social Sciences
1 doctoral programs ranked by outcomes
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