2020 Best Graduate Schools Badge

Best Doctorates in Educational Leadership and Administration 2020

By the GradReports team | Updated 4/1/2020

The 25 schools on this list offer the best educational leadership and administration doctoral degrees in the U.S. based on alumni salaries in the first year after graduation. Graduates of St. John's University earned a median salary of $137,600 one year after graduating, the highest salary on the list. Indiana State University, ranked twelfth, has the lowest median student debt on the list, at $25,292.

Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.

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Salary and debt data reported by the U.S. Department of Education
Salary and debt data reported by the U.S. Department of Education
Rank School Location Annual Tuition Median Debt Median Salary
#1 #1 Queens (NY) Queens (NY) $32,083 $54,703 $137,600
#3 #3 Pullman (WA) Pullman (WA) $28,860 Not Reported $122,700
#4 #4 South Orange (NJ) South Orange (NJ) $34,328 $63,045 $110,200
#6 #6 Philadelphia (PA) Philadelphia (PA) $44,162 $129,267 $107,400
#7 #7 River Forest (IL) River Forest (IL) $9,705 $35,145 $106,600
#8 #8 Los Angeles (CA) Los Angeles (CA) $64,666 $90,412 $98,900
#9 #9 Nashville (TN) Nashville (TN) $53,722 $62,024 $97,300
#10 #10 Los Angeles (CA) Los Angeles (CA) $20,748 $49,604 $97,200
#12 #12 Terre Haute (IN) Terre Haute (IN) $15,778 $25,292 $94,400
#13 #13 College Station (TX) College Station (TX) $23,395 $50,000 $94,200
#14 #14 Washington D.C. Washington D.C. $33,984 $67,590 $92,800
#15 #15 Malibu (CA) Malibu (CA) $39,720 $101,500 $91,000
#16 #16 Seattle (WA) Seattle (WA) $31,530 Not Reported $89,400
#17 #17 Birmingham (AL) Birmingham (AL) $21,921 $42,150 $88,800
#18 #18 Houston (TX) Houston (TX) $18,871 $37,568 $88,600
#19 #19 Chicago (IL) Chicago (IL) $12,171 $68,154 $87,400
#20 #20 Blacksburg (VA) Blacksburg (VA) $32,433 $42,779 $86,300
#21 #21 Philadelphia (PA) Philadelphia (PA) $37,074 $52,017 $86,300
#22 #22 Statesboro (GA) Statesboro (GA) $21,424 $50,000 $84,500
#23 #23 East Lansing (MI) East Lansing (MI) $39,876 $58,921 $84,000
#24 #24 Immaculata (PA) Immaculata (PA) $12,780 $49,263 $83,900
#25 #25 New Castle (DE) New Castle (DE) $9,276 $60,007 $83,400

2020 Best Colleges Highlights

#1
Queens (NY)
Median Salary $137,600
Median Debt $54,703
Annual Tuition $32,083

St. John’s University offers a 60-credit Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership at its Queens, NY campus. Graduates will study and prepare for future education leadership roles. They will have the training and expertise to pursue employment opportunities in higher education, nonprofit work, and education technology. Students will study educational theory and research, and they’ll gain hands-on experience with education-based web technologies and their integration with current classroom instruction.

Coursework covers a range of topics focused on research methodologies and core components like leadership values, decision making, and curriculum. Beyond the required classes, students choose different tracks and specializations to pursue, including Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Technology, Higher Education, Administration, and Exceptional and Diverse Learners. Each sequence offers its own set of focused courses. Students will also complete an independent study, a full-time residency, a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation that must be successfully defended. Interested applicants are expected to submit a GRE score and complete essay requirements.

Visit St. John's University's website.

#3
Pullman (WA)
Median Salary $122,700
Median Debt Not Reported
Annual Tuition $28,860

The College of Education at Washington State University offers a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) for interested candidates whose primary focus is to serve as leaders for the K-12 school system. Students will gain a strong foundation when taking core courses such as the History of School Reform and Race, Identity, and Representation in Education. Additional coursework covers topics including teacher leadership, curriculum design, and disability studies. Further electives include individualized internships and two-week institutes during the summers of their first, second, and fourth years.

Learning outcomes emphasize career development and research skills, with priority given to mentoring, individualized coursework, assistantships, and independent research. Ed.D. candidates are expected to complete and successfully defend a dissertation, whether a traditional written product, film-based project, or pilot curriculum. Students are encouraged to pursue research that supports their future career goals. Students will also complete comprehensive exams. Full-time doctoral students may apply for paid assistantships, which provide hands-on experience working within the university.

Visit Washington State University's website.

#4
South Orange (NJ)
Median Salary $110,200
Median Debt $63,045
Annual Tuition $34,328

South Orange, New Jersey, is the home of Seton Hall University’s College of Education and Human Services. Interested applicants can pursue a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy. Through a strong emphasis on current educational theory and research, students will develop the skills required to serve as professionals in higher education institutions or as state-level employees for the Department of Education. The Ed.D. at Seton Hall focuses on scholarly research and its experiential application. Students may choose from two tracks: Management and Administration or College Teaching. The College Teaching track incorporates a minimum of 24 credits in the fields of student development, ethics and values, and counseling; the complete doctoral program requires 90 credit hours.

Seton Hall’s professional degree programs are founded on core knowledge, relevant technology, research, and reflection. The Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy’s coursework is composed of a core cluster, a professional cluster, and a research and dissertation development cluster. Students will receive research support and feedback while developing their dissertations. Specific classes students can take include the Historical Development of American Education, Diversity in Higher Education, and Statistical Methods.

Visit Seton Hall University's website.