Top 10 Online PhD in Nursing Programs for 2026
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing is a terminal degree, and earning one is a significant accomplishment. It opens numerous opportunities for nurses, including nurse faculty and nursing research roles. To help you choose the right online PhD in nursing programs for you, we've ranked the top 10 programs for 2026.
Popular Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Elevate your nursing journey with The Ohio State University’s renowned College of Nursing—where academic excellence meets flexible, evidence-based learning. Whether you're a practicing RN ready to earn your BSN through the online RN-to-BSN program, or aiming to pursue advanced practice and leadership through online MSN or DNP programs with specialty certification, Ohio State empowers you to lead and innovate across healthcare settings.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Ohio State for details.
Nurse.org’s Top 10 Online PhD in Nursing Programs
Our ranking criteria are based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation, and we use the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the College Scorecard.
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| Villanova University | $1,710 per credit hour | 2 - 3 years | CCNE |
| University of Kentucky | $790 per credit hour | 3 - 5 years | CCNE |
| Wilkes University | $1,105 per credit hour | 3 years | CCNE |
| University of Alabama | $500 per credit hour | 3 - 4 years | CCNE |
| Rush University | $1,436 per credit hour | 3 - 5 years | CCNE |
| University of Arizona | $71,208 - $128,970 | 4.6 years | CCNE |
| The University of Southern Mississippi | $578.12 per credit hour | 4 years | CCNE |
| Walden University | $820 per quarter hour | 3 - 4 years | CCNE |
| Liberty University | $610 per credit hour | 3 - 5 years | CCNE |
| Augusta University | $401 - $1,203 per credit hour | 4 years | CCNE |
Why We Picked This School
Despite its online delivery, courses in this program hold synchronous meetings on weekday evenings. This requirement may present challenges for some students depending on their schedules and availability. While it is not a truly “go at your own pace” option, Villanova’s online PhD in Nursing program is excellent for students who want a more traditional class experience while taking online courses.
Program Highlights
- The Joanne and William Conway PhD Fellows Program awards students $80,000 over three years to finance their education.
- Students can complete the doctoral degree readiness survey to determine their best options.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Application Deadline: April 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (610) 519-4500
- Email Address: gradinformation@villanova.edu
Why We Picked This School
Students complete this PhD in Nursing Program online and at their own pace, independently meeting deadlines according to the syllabus. They can select from a Post-BSN/Post-MSN or Post-DNP educational pathway depending on their educational backgrounds.
Program Highlights
- The Grad School Cap allows students to pay for only nine standard credit hours per semester, even if they take more.
- A flexible schedule means there are no set class times; students may log in whenever they want.
Requirements
- BSN or MSN from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- Example of scholarly written work
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Application Deadline: October 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (833) UK-LEARN
- Email Address: jean.edward@uky.edu
Why We Picked This School
Wilkes offers a variety of opportunities for students to participate in nursing research based on faculty needs. These areas include leadership, culture, disease management, policy, and nursing education.
Program Highlights
- Courses are 15 weeks in length; students complete the program on average in three years.
- U.S. News & World Report has ranked Wilkes as a top university for the last 20+ years.
- Silver-ranked military-friendly school.
Requirements
- BSN or MSN from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (888) 413-5633
- Email Address: admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu
Popular Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Elevate your nursing journey with The Ohio State University’s renowned College of Nursing—where academic excellence meets flexible, evidence-based learning. Whether you're a practicing RN ready to earn your BSN through the online RN-to-BSN program, or aiming to pursue advanced practice and leadership through online MSN or DNP programs with specialty certification, Ohio State empowers you to lead and innovate across healthcare settings.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Ohio State for details.
Why We Picked This School
The program at UA offers an affordable, primarily online option. Students must complete 63 credit hours, and the school offers both part-time and full-time options. Those in the BSN to PhD program must also attend three one-hour seminars to ease their transition into doctoral nursing research.
Program Highlights
- The program represents a joint effort of The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama in Huntsville.
- Active military personnel receive a military tuition grant.
- Alumni Scholarship Program offers $5 million in scholarships annually to support over 3,000 students.
Requirements
- BSN or MSN from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- Scientific Writing Sample
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Application Deadline:
- Priority: November 1st
- Final: April 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (205) 348-8163
- Email Address: online@ua.edu
Why We Picked This School
Rush offers an exclusively online PhD in Nursing that students can complete on either a full-time or part-time basis. Class sizes are small, with only eight students per cohort, so faculty and students can build close relationships.
Program Highlights
- Nurse faculty are all active researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
- Students must attend an on-campus orientation and intensives every summer.
- The curriculum improves the quest for knowledge needed for a scholarly research career.
Requirements
- BSN or MSN from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Application Deadline: March 2nd
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (312) 942-6986
- Email Address: elizabeth_m_miranda@rush.edu
- Resident: $71,208
- Non-Resident: $128,970
Why We Picked This School
Arizona’s PhD in Nursing online program offers multiple flexible options. Students can choose from BSN to PhD, MSN to PhD, DNP/PhD dual degree, or post-DNP PhD, depending on their educational backgrounds.
Program Highlights
- Students must attend an annual in-person Resident Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) week.
- Three Faculty Research Focus Areas: Aging, Women’s Health, Cancer.
- The school ranks #15 in NIH Funding in the U.S. among public universities.
Requirements
- BSN or MSN from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Application Deadline: March 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (520) 626-6154
Why We Picked This School
Students can complete Southern Mississippi’s program in as little as four years. The doctoral degree requires 48 to 60 credit hours. Every aspect of the program is online, including the virtual residency and dissertation defense.
Program Highlights
- The Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully online students $500 toward their first semester.
- Convenient installment payment plans help students cover the cost.
Requirements
- BSN or MSN from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- Copy of CPR certification
- Proof of recent health examination
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening test
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Application Deadline:
- Spring: January 5th
- Fall: August 10th
- Summer: May 10th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (601) 266-5518
- Email Address: graduateschool@usm.edu
Why We Picked This School
Walden’s unique Doctoral Degree Coach allows students to map milestones, meet weekly targets, connect with faculty, and access helpful resources. This coaching tool serves students well in an entirely online program.
Program Highlights
- Students can access the award-winning Doctoral Degree Coach.
- Walden partners with over 750 employers and professional organizations.
- Students with a DNP can apply 25 credits toward the PhD program.
Requirements
- BSN or MSN from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (866) 519-5058
Why We Picked This School
Liberty’s 100% online program offers eight-week-long courses and allows students to transfer up to 50% of the degree’s total required credits. The tuition at Liberty ranks among the most affordable for online PhD in nursing programs.
Program Highlights
- 2026 NICHE Best College.
- The Center for Online Education ranks Liberty the Best Online College in Virginia.
- Gold-ranked School for Military Friendly Education 2024-2025.
Requirements
- BSN or MSN from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Application Deadline: March 23rd
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (888) 568-1527
Why We Picked This School
The PhD program at AU focuses on interdisciplinary research and offers students opportunities in cardiovascular health, community-based participatory interventions, and health promotion.
Program Highlights
- Students complete the in-person dissertation requirements at either the Augusta or Athens, Georgia, campus.
- U.S. News ranks AU as one of the Best Global Universities.
Requirements
- BSN or MSN from an accredited nursing school
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Completed admission application and fee
- Personal Essay/Statement of Intent (Original scholarly paper)
- Personal interview with the admission faculty
- Criminal background check and drug screen
- GRE, if applicable
Program Information
- Tuition:
- Resident: $401 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $1,170 per credit hour
- International: $1,203 per credit hour
- Application Deadline:
- Priority: May 15th
- Final: June 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (706) 721-2469
- Email Address: nursingphd@augusta.edu
Popular Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Elevate your nursing journey with The Ohio State University’s renowned College of Nursing—where academic excellence meets flexible, evidence-based learning. Whether you're a practicing RN ready to earn your BSN through the online RN-to-BSN program, or aiming to pursue advanced practice and leadership through online MSN or DNP programs with specialty certification, Ohio State empowers you to lead and innovate across healthcare settings.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Ohio State for details.
What to Expect in an Online Nursing PhD Program
PhD in Nursing programs online are extremely rigorous and require significant time and dedication. Courses focus on qualitative and quantitative nursing research, nursing theory, and statistics. These terminal degree programs culminate in a dissertation defense that you must present and defend in front of a panel.
FAQs
Additional Resources
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