Doctoral degrees have grown in popularity as experienced professionals seek leadership opportunities. The 2024 Survey of Earned Doctorates found that the number of all doctoral degree types conferred grew each year from 2021 to 2024. Even with this growth, U.S. Census data show that only 2% of U.S. adults aged 30 to 65 hold a doctorate. This means that there is room for more professionals to learn how to lead and innovate through doctoral programs.

The growing list of online doctoral options means new educational pathways for teachers, managers, and executives. The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in particular makes sense for those who want to apply research to challenges in the classroom or boardroom. An Ed.D requires a lot of time and energy to complete, but it may be the right fit for your career goals. The first step in answering whether an Online Ed.D. is worth it is to distinguish the Ed.D. from other doctoral options.

What is an Online Ed.D. Degree?

An Ed.D. is a terminal degree broader in focus than the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). DBA candidates are typically Master of Business Administration (MBA) holders who want to maximize business outcomes through their research. Ph.D. graduates produce new knowledge in their academic disciplines with eyes toward professorial appointments.

Ed.D. programs, by contrast, center on applied research and professional practice. Ed.D. candidates are educators, nonprofit administrators, and business professionals interested in improving their workplaces or communities. This doctoral option promotes collaboration with diverse stakeholders, effective communication, and a transformative leadership mindset as necessary to organizational improvement.

The Ed.D. has existed in the United States for more than a century, but it has really taken off in the 21st century. Distance-education programs reliant on mail or satellite campuses have given way to online programs without residency requirements. Online Ed.D. programs apply the same academic rigor but offer greater reach and more flexible schedules than their in-person competitors.

Benefits of an Online Ed.D. Degree

Now that you know what an Ed.D. degree is, it’s time to consider how an online Ed.D. supports your professional needs. A doctoral degree is worthwhile if it fulfills your expectations and lifts your career ceiling. Here are a few benefits to pursuing an online Ed.D.:

1. Flexibility

Online Ed.D. programs design their coursework and dissertation requirements to accommodate working professionals. You don’t need to relocate for in-person study, stick to degree options in your area, or change your schedule to complete a doctoral degree. Asynchronous courses and virtual communications with professors mean you can study when you are most focused.

2. Real-Time Applications of Research

Working professionals completing online Ed.D. programs can apply new skills in their day-to-day lives. For example, principals can apply lessons on collaborative culture-building and instructional technology within their schools while completing their doctorates. Workplaces become laboratories for innovation, and Ed.D. candidates build portfolios for future roles.

3. Advancement Opportunities

Online Ed.D. candidates demonstrate their commitment to personal and professional growth to decision-makers. They learn from experienced faculty members and fellow students how to translate their academic work into future roles. Ed.D. dissertations or scholarship projects apply solutions to real-world challenges and demonstrate practical skills for leadership positions.

Career Options for Online Ed.D. Program Graduates

Doctoral degrees like the Ed.D. often boost compensation and job security compared to other degrees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that average weekly earnings for those with doctoral degrees exceeded earnings for master’s degree holders by 23.8% and bachelor’s degree graduates by 47.6%. Doctoral graduates also had the lowest unemployment rate - 1.2% - of all degree types in 2024.

Your post-Ed.D. options depend on your starting point and your long-term goals. A majority of Ed.D. candidates are educators, though many corporate and non-profit professionals pursue this degree. Here are some advancement opportunities in educational and non-educational fields for Ed.D. graduates.

Educational Careers

An Ed.D. can help an elementary school teacher move into a principal role or a high school principal earn a promotion into the superintendent’s office. Additional roles for doctoral holders in the K-12 environment include athletic director and special education director. The median salary for these roles in 2024 was $104,070, though salaries may be higher based on location and years of experience.

Administrative and academic staff at universities can also position themselves for administrative roles with an Ed.D. Advancement opportunities for Ed.D. graduates include roles as a registrar, financial aid director, or college president. The BLS estimated that postsecondary administrators earned an average of $103,960 in 2024, with top earners reporting salaries of $212,420 or more.

Non-Educational Careers

Business, nonprofit, and policy professionals open doors to executive roles after completing Ed.D. programs. Their experience and advanced academic credentials make them competitive with others for these high-level roles. Ed.D. graduates are poised for advancement to roles including:

• C-suite roles in business, including Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer
• Leadership roles in government, like city managers and county administrators
• Executive director positions with nonprofit organizations 

Each role’s importance to its organization means compensation well above the $49,500 average for all occupations. The BLS found a median salary of $122,090 for all non-CEO management occupations in 2024, while CEOs earned an average of $206,420. The following list shows the top industries and average salaries for executives:

• Professional, scientific, and technical services ($208,870)
• Healthcare and social assistance ($194,360)
• Government agencies ($137,310)

Factors in Choosing an Online Ed.D.

Investing in an online Ed.D. can lead to fulfilling and financially rewarding career options in your future. This investment isn’t just measured in tuition but also in the years of study required to earn a doctorate and the time spent away from family or other personal responsibilities. When asking if an online Ed.D. is worth it, you should think about the types of people who benefit from this degree.

An Ed.D. can help educators make greater impacts in their schools, districts, and higher education institutions. It can help mid-career and senior professionals who need to stand out for leadership roles in crowded candidate pools. This doctorate is a good option for any professional with a master’s degree who wants to be a change agent.

The value of an Ed.D. largely depends on each candidate’s research interests and professional goals. A long-term career vision strengthened by applied research maximizes your return on investment in an Ed.D. It’s also important to choose an Ed.D. program that aligns with your professional goals and schedule. The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) suggests potential Ed.D. candidates ask the following questions before choosing a program:

• Is the program distinct from traditional doctoral programs?
• Are the courses designed with the practitioner in mind?
• Does the program offer a dissertation in practice experience?
• Will you gain skills you can use beyond graduation?

Building Leadership Skills for the Future with an Online Ed.D.

Saint Leo University’s Online Ed.D. program checks all of these boxes for prospective candidates. The university’s Online Ed.D. offers two pathways for those looking to make positive impacts on their organizations and communities. The School and Organizational Leadership option builds the skills necessary to effect change through relationship-building, strategic planning, and collaborative decision-making. The Higher Education option prepares college and university professionals for high-level administrative roles in their institutions. 

Ed.D. candidates in both pathways learn about topics including:

• Diversity and Leadership
• Ethical Analytical Leadership
• Introduction to Quantitative Design
• Technology Innovation and Diffusion

The 48-credit curriculum can be completed in 32 months of part-time study with online coursework that culminates in a capstone that addresses real-world organizational challenges. Saint Leo University’s Online Ed.D. program offers a flexible and rigorous doctorate for professionals on the cusp of greater things.