872 Best PhD Universities in the USA

Compare 11,535 programs at 872 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 11,535 Universities 872 Scholarships 0

872 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

Washington University in St Louis

St. Louis, Missouri · Private University · Est. 1853

US #1 QS World #123 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $21,786/yr
Admission rate: 12%
Earnings (10yr): $86,182
Students: 7,857

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Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan · Public University · Est. 1855

US #2 QS World #158 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $19,680/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $67,253
Students: 40,922

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Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, Ohio · Private University · Est. 1967

US #3 QS World #174 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $41,190/yr
Admission rate: 37%
Earnings (10yr): $87,989
Students: 6,437

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University of California-Irvine

Irvine, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #4 QS World #189 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,251/yr
Admission rate: 29%
Earnings (10yr): $80,735
Students: 30,197

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University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California · Public University · Est. 1891

US #5 QS World #200 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,109/yr
Admission rate: 33%
Earnings (10yr): $74,915
Students: 23,113

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Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey · Public University · Est. 1766

US #6 QS World #217 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $24,406/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $74,479
Students: 37,751

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Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire · Private University · Est. 1769

US #7 QS World #223 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $29,519/yr
Admission rate: 5%
Earnings (10yr): $97,434
Students: 4,541

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University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida · Private University · Est. 1925

US #8 QS World #250 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $37,244/yr
Admission rate: 19%
Earnings (10yr): $75,328
Students: 12,913

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Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1852

US #9 QS World #251 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $39,998/yr
Admission rate: 11%
Earnings (10yr): $83,214
Students: 7,061

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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, Virginia · Public University · Est. 1872

US #10 QS World #291 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $24,953/yr
Admission rate: 55%
Earnings (10yr): $81,698
Students: 30,923

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, New York · Private University · Est. 1824

US #11 QS World #350 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $36,228/yr
Admission rate: 63%
Earnings (10yr): $102,051
Students: 5,714

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University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #12 QS World #380 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,890/yr
Admission rate: 66%
Earnings (10yr): $68,396
Students: 17,940

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University of California-Riverside

Riverside, California · Public University · Est. 1954

US #13 QS World #400 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $14,304/yr
Admission rate: 76%
Earnings (10yr): $67,699
Students: 22,593

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University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 1881

US #15 QS World #461 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $25,097/yr
Admission rate: 52%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 19,835

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Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana · Private University · Est. 1834

US #16 QS World #461 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $39,949/yr
Admission rate: 14%
Earnings (10yr): $63,268
Students: 7,767

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Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa · Public University · Est. 1858

US #17 QS World #481 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,589/yr
Admission rate: 89%
Earnings (10yr): $63,386
Students: 25,367

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University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware · Public University · Est. 1743

US #18 QS World #501 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $17,799/yr
Admission rate: 71%
Earnings (10yr): $72,950
Students: 19,071

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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee · Public University · Est. 1794

US #19 QS World #501 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $18,976/yr
Admission rate: 42%
Earnings (10yr): $60,249
Students: 30,418

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Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1948

US #20 QS World #511 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $35,736/yr
Admission rate: 41%
Earnings (10yr): $77,231
Students: 3,618

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University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York · Public University · Est. 1846

US #21 QS World #521 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,995/yr
Admission rate: 74%
Earnings (10yr): $70,814
Students: 20,112

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University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, Missouri · Public University · Est. 1839

US #22 QS World #541 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,268/yr
Admission rate: 78%
Earnings (10yr): $63,403
Students: 23,929

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Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida · Public University · Est. 1851

US #23 QS World #561 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $11,297/yr
Admission rate: 24%
Earnings (10yr): $61,675
Students: 32,212

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University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky · Public University · Est. 1865

US #24 QS World #601 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $18,851/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $59,025
Students: 24,763

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Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Private University · Est. 1891

US #25 QS World #601 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $38,509/yr
Admission rate: 79%
Earnings (10yr): $84,648
Students: 13,233

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Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for phD universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Washington University in St Louis, Michigan State University, Case Western Reserve University. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study phD universities in the USA?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying phD universities in the USA?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

About phD universities in the USA

This page lists phD universities in the USA held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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