Pursuing a doctorate degree can be a significant investment of time, energy, and money. For all that it requires, is an EdD worth it?

Education doctorate (EdD) programs are for those passionate about improving institutions through teaching and learning. If you’re interested in leadership roles in educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofits or corporations, an EdD is worth considering.

Earn an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College

Pursue an Ed.D. online from top-ranked Vanderbilt University Peabody College. Master degree or 30 credit hours of graduate-level study required. Build advanced leadership skills in as few as 3 years. 

• Become an influential leader in your organization  
• Part-time or full-time schedules available  
• Complete your Ed.D. in as little as three years 

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Earn your Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations Online from the University of Dayton

Master holders, earn your Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations online from the University of Dayton in as few as 3 years. 3.0+ GPA required to apply.

• Live, online classes
• Complete in 36 months
• No GRE required
• Dissertation-in-practice

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An EdD degree prepares students for leadership roles at administrative levels. The curriculum generally focuses on providing students with the management, critical thinking and problem-solving skills they will need to impact the fields of K-12 and higher education in meaningful ways. The research skills developed and knowledge gained are designed to enable graduates to fill roles as higher-education faculty members, senior educational leaders, policymakers, and specialized researchers. Prerequisites for a doctorate in education typically include graduate coursework and several years of teaching or professional experience. EdD programs generally also require candidates to have a master’s degree (or at least a bachelor’s degree) and some may require satisfactory GRE scores.

So what does a Doctor of Education teach you and who gets a doctorate in education? Doctor of Education candidates will study subjects such as strategy development, quantitative research and data collection. Students can also expect to study qualitative and quantitative research methods. Because concentrations, coursework and curriculum delivery vary from institution to institution, it is important to explore the various doctorate in education programs available before you apply to any school. You may find that an online Doctor of Education program is the best fit for you.

While the reasons for getting a Doctor of Education can vary greatly, there are a few common ones among EdD candidates. Some of them include:

Doctorate of Education programs are designed to prepare students for educational leadership jobs in academic institutions, school districts, government agencies, charitable organizations and in the private sector. While some EdD recipients become teaching professors, others may not have academic ambitions. An EdD is a professional degree designed to equip students with problem-solving skills to address the challenges educational leaders face today.

Professionals with doctorates in education often work for school systems as principals, vice principals, program directors, academic advisors, superintendents and deans. EdD specializations and concentrations offer students a chance to hone in on areas such as K-12 education, early childhood education, higher education, school leadership and classroom leadership. Because administrators and educators today face increasing challenges in improving learning experiences and making their institutions the best they can be for students, earning an EdD may be a worthwhile endeavor. That is because these doctoral programs focus on preparing school and district leaders to solve complex problems and initiate innovative solutions.

Today’s students are learning in a rapidly evolving tech environment—by late 2025, 64% of U.S. teens said they use AI chatbots.  In the classroom and online, technologies are emerging to help facilitate learning and improve operations. School administrators and education leaders help manage and oversee education technology from the selection of what programs and hardware to invest in to the systems that keep students, faculty and data safe and secure online. Emerging educational technologies. especially AI, are rapidly reshaping U.S. classrooms and enabling more personalized learning experiences (in 2025, 54% of students and 53% of core-subject teachers reported using AI for school, and federal guidance highlights AI tools that adapt to learner needs in real time). 

Some graduate schools offer educational technology concentration options in their education doctoral programs. Such programs focus on software and hardware development, implementation and applications to facilitate and enrich the learning experience.

If pondering about abstract concepts is not your preferred learning experience, then a Doctor of Education may be a fit for you. While studies typically include some critical examination of theoretical constructs, EdD students (unlike their PhD counterparts) are more focused on practical coursework geared toward developing solutions that can be applied immediately within their organizations. Because practitioner-based EdD coursework and research are emphasized, program instructors typically have worked in the fields they teach.

Still wondering to yourself, “Why should I get my EdD?” There are some salient ways in which the degree may benefit you depending on your career goals. For example, an EdD may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to:

There are many types of Doctorate of Education careers to consider. Some are found in educational institutions and others in government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. Some common career paths include:

But can you teach at a university with an EdD? Yes, you can. While PhD recipients commonly teach at the college and university level, some also hold EdDs. Both the PhD and EdD programs require rigorous research, but because the PhD tends to place greater emphasis on this area, it is generally the preferred choice for those seeking to teach.

The ROI of an education doctorate depends on several factors, including the type and size of the institution, years of experience, and geographic location. As mentioned, it is not guaranteed that a doctorate will lead to higher wages. However, 2024 annual averages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey (published May 2025) show a clear earnings gradient by education level among full-time wage and salary workers age 25 and over: median usual weekly earnings were $1,543 for those with a bachelor’s degree, $1,840 for a master’s degree (about 19% higher than bachelor’s), and $2,278 for those with a doctoral degree (about 48% higher than bachelor’s).

Salary expectations with a Doctor of Education can be hard to determine for specific jobs, but the salary outlook for EdD careers in general appears to be steady. While the BLS does not record EdD holders’ salary data separately from non-EdD holders, a common occupation among those who enroll in EdD programs is postsecondary education administrator. For that job, the highest 10% earned more than $212,420, while the median annual salary was $103,960. 

The median annual salaries above are derived from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook as of January 12, 2026.

When deciding whether to pursue an EdD, candidates often have questions about the programs they are considering. Some frequently asked questions are below.

Is it worth pursuing a doctorate in education? Ultimately, the answer is based on your personal and professional goals, situation and interests. An EdD may benefit those who want to become leaders in education and are dedicated to improving educational outcomes and experiences.

Information last updated: January 2026