Best Doctorates in Blockchain: Top PhD Programs, Career Paths, and Salaries

Operating for more than 250 years, Columbia University is the oldest higher learning institution in New York state. It has very high research activity and has pioneered several scientific breakthroughs. Columbia is a leading university in technological innovation, with its researchers producing more than 400 new inventions every year.

PhD in Computer Science

This program has a strong focus on research and emphasizes practical work. The department of Computer Science conducts research in all areas of computer science, including blockchain and network security. In addition, several faculty members serve as advisers to PhD candidates at the Columbia-IBM Center for Blockchain and Data Transparency.

PhD in Computer Science Overview

• Program Length: 5 - 6 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition: $25,248/semester
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Graduate research assistantship, internal or external fellowship

PhD in Computer Science Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Standard test scores including GRE (temporarily optional)
• Language proficiency scores for TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET (for non-native English speakers)
• Three letters of recommendation
• A written statement of purpose explaining your background and intended study
• Application fee of $85

Fordham University was established in 1841, making it one of the oldest Jesuit Catholic universities in the country. Fordham has an active cooperative education program, evidenced by internship partnerships with at least 3,500 companies. The school also has high research activity, with six of its 10 constituent schools and colleges being graduate schools.

PhD in Business

This PhD program from the Gabelli School of Business offers students the opportunity to specialize in one of the eight available fields of study, including accounting, business law and ethics, marketing, and finance. The program curriculum contains several courses in blockchain and digital currency.

PhD in Business Overview

• Program Length: 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition: $1,732/credit
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Loan programs, gift aid, assistantships, veteran initiatives 

PhD in Business Admission Requirements

• Official transcripts for every previously obtained degree
• A minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale
• Your resume or CV
• A writing sample to demonstrate your research and writing skills 
• Standard test scores including GRE and TOEFL, IELTS (for non-native English speakers)
• Three letters of recommendation
• A one- to two-page statement of purpose summarizing your past academic achievements and current interests
• Interview (optional)
• Non-refundable application fee of $75

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the best global universities, second only to Harvard University, according to US News & World Report. It was founded in 1861 and established its MIT Sloan School of Management in 1914. The graduate programs at MIT Sloan are some of the most selective globally and involve collaboration with other top schools like the Harvard Kennedy School.

MIT Sloan PhD

MIT Sloan offers this PhD in General Management Studies. Graduate students can research topics in business, finance, economics, accounting, and behavioral and policy sciences. The school also features a Blockchain lab where students can experiment with cryptographic and blockchain technologies.

MIT Sloan PhD Overview

• Program Length: 6 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition: $80,400/year
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Student loans and scholarships, assistantship, research fellowship

MIT Sloan PhD Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• A strong background related to your chosen concentration. For example, accounting requires calculus
• Knowledge of microeconomics and macroeconomics
• Statement of purpose
• Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (even if you did not graduate)
• Resume
• Video essay (optional based on program)
• 3 letters of recommendation 
• Valid GMAT or GRE scores 
• Valid TOEFL or IELTS scores (non-native English speakers)

Established in 1885, Stanford University is a private research institution with a strong focus on entrepreneurship. This school is one of the four best national universities offering a doctoral computer program. Stanford is helping to shape the future of the Internet through its Center for Blockchain Research.

PhD in Computer Science

This doctoral program is the only available PhD from the Department of Computer Science. It provides a broad range of topics for graduate students to conduct their research on, including blockchain. Several department members work at the Stanford Center for Blockchain Research, and they offer to supervise PhD candidates in blockchain research. 

PhD in Computer Science Overview

• Program Length: 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition: $18,105/quarter
• PhD Funding Opportunities: 5-year funding guarantee, assistantship, research fellowship

PhD in Computer Science Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate transcripts
• Resume
• TOEFL scores (for non-native English speakers)
• 3 letters of recommendation
• A written statement of purpose explaining your background and intended study
• A non-refundable $125 application fee 

The University of Bern, over its 187-year history, has spread out all over the city of Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The university offers more than 100 graduate programs from its eight faculties and 150 institutes. It has also established 10 strategic centers for research to fulfill one of its mission goals. 

PhD in Computer Science

This English-taught program involves close collaboration with a supervisor from the Institute of Computer Science. PhD candidates can research areas covered by research groups within the institute, including the Cryptology and Data Security Research Group. This group focuses on applying cryptographic protocols to blockchains, distributed ledger technology, cryptocurrencies, and their economics.

PhD in Computer Science Overview

• Program Length: 3 - 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: CHF 750 (approx. $753.08)/semester (residents of Switzerland); CHF 950 (approx. $954.14)/semester (non-residents of Switzerland)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Assistantship, doctoral post, funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation

PhD in Computer Science Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree and/or master’s degree from a recognized university
• Certified photocopies of academic transcripts
• A resume showing an uninterrupted timeline of your academic studies
• A photocopy of a valid identification card or international passport
• A declaration of consent
• Fulfill the requirements stipulated by the relevant faculty or graduate school

The University of British Columbia was founded in 1908 and is ranked second among the best universities in Canada  and among the top 40 globally. It is notable for its research activities and funds an estimated 10,000 projects with a research budget of $795.1 million. International students make up about 25 percent of the student population at UBC.

PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering

This program is designed to provide students the ability to perform independent research in fields like communications systems, energy systems, and micro and nanotechnologies. PhD candidates can also conduct research under the auspices of the Blockchain@UBC research cluster. This group provides blockchain training to augment existing PhD programs.

PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering Overview

• Program Length: 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: 21%
• Tuition and Fees: $5,301.54 CAD (approx. $4,135.90)/year (residents of Canada); $9,313.92 CAD (approx. $7,266.08)/year (nonresidents of Canada)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: PhD minimum funding, scholarships, research assistantships, internal or external tuition awards, additional funding for Blockchain students

PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree and/or master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related fields
• Minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4-point scale
• Three letters of recommendation
• Citizenship verification for permanent residents
• A statement of interest

The University of California, Berkeley offers more than 100 graduate programs from its 14 schools and colleges. UC Berkeley has high research activity and is host to several research centers, including the Space Sciences Laboratory. It also has nine Nobel prize winners among its current researchers.

PhD in Finance

This PhD program is one of the fields of study available at the Berkeley Haas Business School. It aims to contribute to the latest innovations and technology in finance. One such innovation is blockchain, and the UC Berkeley Haas Blockchain Initiative aids in its development. The initiative funds research in distributed ledger technology, applied cryptography, and global financial inclusion.

PhD in Finance Overview

• Program Length: 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• Tuition and Fees: $35,822.75/year (in state); $39,051.25/year (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Grants, awards, research fellowships

PhD in Finance Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited university
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale
• IELTS and TOEFL test score (non-native English speakers)
• Three letters of recommendation
• A personal statement and a statement of purpose
• A non-refundable application fee of $120

UCLA, formerly the southern branch of UC Berkeley, was established as a separate university in 1951. UCLA has over 14,000 graduate and professional students enrolled in its eight professional schools.  

PhD in Computer Science

The UCLA computer science PhD program provides nine fields of study to students including computer network systems and artificial intelligence. The school also features the UCLA Connection Lab where PhD students can research blockchain and applied cryptography under the supervision of computer science faculty members.

PhD in Computer Science Overview

• Program Length: 6 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: $17,756/year (in state); $32,858/year (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: University-wide fellowships, research grants, departmental funding, teaching assistantships, traineeships

PhD in Computer Science Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution
• An academic transcript from every post-secondary institution attended
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale
• At least three letters of recommendation
• GRE scores (optional) 
• A personal history statement and statement of purpose
• Application fee of $120 (US citizens and permanent residents); $140 (all other applicants)

Operating since 1583, the University of Edinburgh is the sixth-oldest running university in the world. The school is proud to be a global university and offers hundreds of PhD programs to local and international candidates. It also hosts more than 20 research centers and institutes.

PhD in Cyber Security, Privacy, and Trust

This PhD program trains students as researchers in digital information security, privacy, and trust topics. It also teaches students how to design technologies based on the understanding of the law, business processes, cost, and useability. Presently, the Blockchain Research Laboratory at the university is advertising open positions for PhD candidates from the School of Informatics.

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

Find Your Bootcamp Match

PhD in Cyber Security, Privacy, and Trust Overview

• Program Length: 3 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: £4,596 (approx. $5,779.24)/year (domestic & UK); £28,000 (approx. $35,205.77)/year (international)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: UK government postgraduate loans, scholarships, departmental funding, fellowships

PhD in Cyber Security, Privacy, and Trust Admission Requirements

• A minimum of UK 2:1 honors or its international equivalent in computer science, mathematics, or a related discipline
• A master’s degree in a relevant subject 
• A research proposal
• English language competency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS

The University of Portsmouth is a public university that was founded in 1870. It offers 150 postgraduate degrees and 65 research programs from its five faculties and 25 departments. Portsmouth is one of only four universities in the southeast region of the UK possessing the highest gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework. 

PhD in the Economics of FinTech and Digital Money

This program focuses on understanding the benefits and risks of FinTech. It also aims to contribute to the development of financial technology such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The three areas of research in the program are Central Bank Digital Currency (CBCD), cryptocurrency, and alternative finance.

PhD in the Economics of FinTech and Digital Money Overview

• Program Length: 3 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: £4,500 (approx. $5,665.70)/year (United Kingdom and Europe); £16,300 (approx. $20,522.43)/year (international)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Government doctoral loans, scholarships, referral awards

PhD in the Economics of FinTech and Digital Money Admission Requirements

• A minimum of second class upper honors in bachelor’s degree or equivalent or a Master’s in Economics, Finance, or related degrees
• English language proficiency at a minimum IELTS score band of 6.5
• A research proposal of 1,000 words
• Strong quantitative skills including statistics, programming, and mathematics. 
• Competency in MATLAB, Stata, Python, or R software packages

You have to obtain at least the minimum required grade point average and maintain it through every semester of your program. Most universities stipulate the minimum GPA to be 3.0 but the exact value depends on the university and the program of study.

You must complete the required amount of master’s degree and PhD credit hours to be eligible for graduation. The number of credits varies for each school and program but most universities mandate you to complete a large percentage of them during the master’s program.

PhD programs require students to complete a final examination and successfully verify the results. In some universities, you may have to complete a series of oral and written tests throughout your program. The examination office then collates the results to access your performance.

Universities expect PhD students to complete their research and defend their thesis within five years. You can request an additional one to two years to finish your work, after which the school may withdraw your candidacy. 

The entirety of your PhD in Blockchain culminates in a written thesis based on your academic research. You will have to submit this thesis for examination and defend it from scholarly criticism by internal and external examiners. Finally, you must submit a copy of the accepted thesis to the university while adhering to the stipulated guidelines for submission.

Blockchain researchers examine current blockchain technologies and infrastructure to identify key areas for improvement. They research these areas to develop better blockchain technology. Blockchain researchers are not limited to working in university blockchain research centers. Corporate organizations like Google and IBM also employ blockchain researchers.

• Salary with a Blockchain PhD: $131,490
• Job Outlook: 22% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 33,000
• Highest-Paying States: Oregon, Arizona, Texas

A blockchain engineer designs, implements, deploys, and maintains blockchain-based networks or applications. As a blockchain developer or engineer, you will maintain battle-designed security infrastructure for blockchains and ensure frequent security upgrades to the infrastructure.

• Salary with a Blockchain PhD: $110,140
• Job Outlook: 22% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 1,847,900
• Highest-Paying States: California, Washington, Maryland

As a software engineer specializing in blockchain, you will develop smart contracts and secure protocols for blockchain infrastructure. You will also apply your programming skills to create software such as privacy protocol for Web3 apps.

• Salary with a Blockchain PhD: $110,140
• Job Outlook: 22% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 1,847,900
• Highest-Paying States: California, New York, Washington

Cryptographers develop fool-proof encryption systems for data networks. Their most important task is to prevent unauthorized decryption of secure data. They employ various techniques to perform this task such as lattice-based cryptography and post-quantum cryptography.

• Salary with a Blockchain PhD: $102,600
• Job Outlook: 33% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 47,100
• Highest-Paying States: California, New York, Maryland

This job is arguably the best suited for blockchain PhD holders. A postsecondary teacher applies all the knowledge gained during their PhD program to teaching a new set of blockchain students. Depending on the institution, this job may be described using other terms like a lecturer, instructor, teaching assistant, or professor.

• Salary with a Blockchain PhD: $79,640
• Job Outlook: 12% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 1,276,900
• Highest-Paying States: California, Oregon, Massachusettes