EdD vs. PhD: What’s the Difference?

With so many different doctoral degrees offered to learners, it can be challenging to understand the differences among them and identify which doctorate can best help you achieve your academic and professional goals. For example, you could choose to earn a Doctor of Education (EdD degree) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD degree). 

What is the difference between EdD and PhD degrees and which choice is best for your career goals? Learn more below and consider your options as you reflect on your career pathway.

In This Article:

• A Look at Professional Degrees vs. Research Degrees
• EdD vs. PhD Salary and Career Outcomes
• Taking a Look at Specific PhD and EdD Degree Options

A Look at Professional Degrees vs. Research Degrees

If you aspire to position yourself to take a career in education to new heights, you could earn either an EdD degree or a PhD that focuses on education. First, let us consider a related issue. When choosing a degree, learners often wonder about the differences between a PhD vs. Doctorate in Education. A PhD degree is a doctoral degree, and so is an EdD degree.

Both of these doctoral degrees are terminal degrees that represent the highest academic achievement in a field. However, they have a different focus. The PhD is primarily a research-focused degree, whereas the EdD is a professional practice degree. Both types of doctoral degree usually require the completion of a dissertation.

In other words, if you’re primarily interested in theoretical research, then a PhD would be a better fit. To earn this doctoral degree, you would spend your time researching educational theories and conducting original studies. On the other hand, if you’re primarily interested in applying theories to practical situations, then an EdD degree would be a better fit.

EdD vs. PhD Salary and Career Outcomes

Another factor in determining whether you should choose an EdD vs. PhD degree is your intended career outcome. If you want to work primarily in higher education (teaching and research), then a PhD could be an appropriate choice. On the other hand, the EdD degree is a good fit for those who aspire to become K–12 or postsecondary education administrators, or to step into similar leadership roles. However, many EdD graduates teach in higher education and many PhD graduates apply their research skills to practical situations.

There are no guarantees when it comes to EdD and PhD salary outcomes. You might aspire to become a postsecondary education administrator, for example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the median annual salary for 2021 was $96,910.¹ As of 2021, postsecondary teachers had a median annual salary of $79,640, according to the BLS.² Both a PhD and a EdD can help you potentially position yourself to achieve either career option mentioned above.

Taking a Look at Specific PhD and EdD Degree Options

Before you make a final decision about whether to pursue an EdD vs. PhD program, you should take a closer look at your specific choices. Below, read about a few examples of EdD and PhD programs.

EdD Degree Options

The EdD in Organizational Leadership is a program designed to provide learners with a focus on organizational leadership as it is applied to certain areas and aspects of education. EdD programs are intended to help learners apply theories to new environments in hopes of making change. 

The EdD in Organizational Leadership: K–12 Leadership focuses specifically on K–12 schools. It examines core concepts in ethical stewardship and K–12 community-building, along with classroom practices, leadership strategies and professional development within the K–12 niche. 

Similarly, the EdD in Organizational Leadership: Special Education explores ethical leadership practices and strategies within K–12 schools, but with a sharp focus on special education. Learners will study the history and theories of special education, as well as instructional tools and educational standards. 

PhD Degree Options

The PhD in General Psychology: Cognition and Instruction is rooted in scholarship, and its aims lie in creating new theories to assist in explaining or inspiring change. This doctoral degree requires original research presented in a dissertation. Other PhD programs include the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and the PhD in General Psychology: Integrating Technology, Learning and Psychology. The former degree empowers professionals to pursue higher education positions that involve teaching future counselors, whereas the latter explores the integration of technology and psychology instruction within learning environments. 

To learn more about Grand Canyon University’s doctoral programs, visit the College of Doctoral Studies or complete the form on this page. 

¹ The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Postsecondary Education Administrators as of May 2021, retrieved May 22, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as postsecondary education administrators. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates. 

² The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Postsecondary Teachers as of May 2021, retrieved May 22, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as postsecondary teachers. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates. 

Approved by the dean of the College of Doctoral Studies on July 18, 2023.