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Best Online Business Administration Degrees of 2025
Online doctorate in business administration programs, best online christian counseling programs, doctorate in business administration programs 2025.
A doctorate in business administration (DBA) can be a good return on investment if you plan to head into executive leadership positions.
A DBA can set students apart from others who only have a bachelor’s in business or a master of business administration (MBA) degree. More than 200,000 students in the U.S. earned MBAs during the 2021-2022 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics , compared to the less than 4,500 students who received doctoral degrees in business.
With a focus on problem-solving and research in real-world settings, a DBA sets you up for success in analytical leadership roles as a high-level consultant, CEO, economist , or business analyst .
A DBA also qualifies you to land research and postsecondary education jobs. Follow this guide to learn more about top schools for a doctorate in business and what you can expect from this degree program.
Featured Online Business Administration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Doctorate in Business Administration Programs
Michigan state university.
East Lansing, MI 4 year Campus + Online
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 4 year Campus
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 4 year Campus + Online
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA 4 year Campus + Online
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 4 year Campus + Online
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO 4 year Campus + Online
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 4 year Campus + Online
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 4 year Campus + Online
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 4 year Campus + Online
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL 4 year Campus + Online
Should I Get a Doctorate in Business Administration?
You can typically pursue a DBA after earning an MBA or a related degree and gaining years of professional experience. In these programs, you’ll develop advanced leadership and management skills.
The best doctoral programs in business administration offer foundational courses in essential business strategy, financial decision-making, organizational theory and behavior, and market analysis. These programs also incorporate independent learning and research skills through a capstone or dissertation requirement.
You can complete a doctorate in business administration in roughly three years; however, completion times vary depending on your prior experience and program requirements. With a doctorate in business administration, you’ll exceed most requirements for professional certifications, such as project management professional and professional in human resources.
Is a DBA the Same as a Ph.D. in Business Administration?
Both a DBA and a Ph.D. in business administration are terminal degrees with a heavy focus on research, but there are several key differences between the two.
Both programs generally culminate in a major research or thesis project but typically differ when it comes to the type of research being done. A Ph.D. in business administration tends to be focused more on theory and preparing you for academic research, whereas a DBA focuses on applied research to prepare you for roles in the business world.
What Can I Expect from a Doctor of Business Administration?
Schools may offer a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in business administration or a DBA degree. Depending on individual admission requirements and prerequisite coursework, programs typically require 60 credits and offer a choice of full- or part-time study. An online doctorate in business administration may include especially flexible enrollment options.
Most programs focus on sharpening skills in data analysis and strategic decision-making. Coursework also covers market analysis, trend-tracking, and corporate and nonprofit management techniques. After graduating, you can choose to pursue professional certification in a broad or specialized area of expertise.
Concentrations
Human resources, still looking for the right fit discover similar programs, how to choose a business administration doctoral program.
You’ll face several key considerations in your search for the best doctorate in business administration, including admission requirements, curriculum, format, and cost.
You can consider an online doctorate in business administration that offers accelerated paths to graduation and set or in-state tuition rates for distance learners. On the other hand, you might prioritize a program offering unique concentrations, career services, and networking opportunities.
Programmatic Accreditation for Doctorate in Business Administration Programs
Any legitimate school offering a doctorate in business administration is accredited through the Department of Education and through a national or regional accrediting agency. Regional accreditation demonstrates that a school meets the highest standards in postsecondary education.
Many business administration programs boast additional specialized accreditation, most commonly through organizations, such as AACSB International , Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs , or International Accreditation Council for Business Education . Programmatic accreditation ensures that a business administration degree meets academic and professional requirements for business and management fields.
How to Get Into a Business Administration Doctoral Program
Admission into a doctorate in business administration typically requires a master’s degree in business or a related major and 1-3 years of professional experience. Though uncommon, some programs accept extensive work experience instead of a master’s degree.
Though not always required, GMAT or GRE scores can be especially critical if you want to be admitted into a DBA program that accepts students without a master’s degree. You should also prepare to submit your resume, official transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
What Can I Do With a Doctorate in Business Administration?
While not all companies require a doctorate in business administration for high-level executive positions, professionals with a doctoral degree hold a distinct advantage. As a DBA graduate, you’ll qualify for senior roles in corporate and nonprofit management within the public and private sectors. You can use your advanced leadership skills and extensive experience to earn a top salary and launch a long career.
With a DBA, you’ll be able to pursue top executive positions like CEO, CFO, and CTO. You may also go on to become a business or management consultant, economist, financial manager, or postsecondary educator in business subjects. You might even carve out your own path in entrepreneurship or business development.
Popular Career Paths
- Top Executive
- Postsecondary Teacher
- Finance Director
- Management Consultant
How Much Money Can I Make With a Doctorate in Business Administration?
According to PayScale, professionals with a doctorate in business make an average annual salary of $101,000. However, your salary will depend heavily on what types of positions you choose to pursue after graduating. A doctorate in business administration can lead to a position as a CEO, CFO, finance specialist, HR director, and consultant.
With a DBA, you can also use your advanced business expertise in a postsecondary teaching career in a subject like management or leadership. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), postsecondary educators earned a median annual wage of $79,870 in 2023, while top executives earned a median salary of $206,680 .
Additional Certifications and Licenses for a Doctorate in Business Administration
Project management professional.
Graduates with a doctorate in business administration often pursue PMP certification to demonstrate versatile project management skills in general business or a specialized field. Candidates must have field experience and/or previous professional certification to sit for the PMP exam.
Professional in Human Resources
Graduates with a doctorate in business administration who aspire to senior roles in HR management may pursue PHR certification. Applicants with a master’s degree or higher need at least one year of experience in a professional-level HR position to qualify for the exam.
Senior Professional in Human Resources
A step up from PHR certification, the SPHR credential denotes many years of senior-level experience in HR management. Candidates with a master’s degree or higher must have a minimum of four years of professional experience to sit for the certifying exam.
Salesforce Software Certification
Salesforce is the most widely used e-commerce and customer-interfacing platform. This certification suits both sales professionals and network administrators seeking specialized skills. Students can take an exam to pursue more than 30 certification options, including salesforce administrator and salesforce certified advanced administrator.
Certified Public Accountant
While many CPAs hold a degree in accounting, others may pursue CPA licensure to advance their careers in financial management after earning a doctorate in business administration. Becoming a CPA requires students to complete a post-baccalaureate or master’s program and roughly two years of work experience (varies by state) and pass the CPA exam.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doctorate in Business Administration Programs
Can a dba graduate call themselves a doctor.
A DBA is a doctoral degree, so graduates can use the honorific “Dr.” in the same way that people with a Ph.D. can. Those honorific titles are not to be confused with a medical doctor, which requires a host of different qualifications, training, and licensing requirements.
Should I get an MBA before a DBA?
Most DBA programs require a graduate degree for admission, but not necessarily an MBA . An MBA’s instruction on leadership and management, however, can help prepare you for the more research-focused DBA.
What is a DBA Degree?
A DBA is a doctor of business administration. It is the highest-level degree you can get in business. DBA programs focus on providing students with applied knowledge they can use in a number of business roles, such as CEO, CFO, or consultant. These programs typically include a major, real-world research project.
What is the salary difference between a DBA and an MBA?
According to Payscale, professionals with a doctorate in business make an average annual salary of $101,000. Meanwhile, professionals with an MBA make an average annual salary of $94,000, meaning graduates with a DBA make an average of about $7,000 more per year.
Both an MBA and DBA can both open up doors to top-level management positions. However, a terminal degree like a DBA can help students stand out in the job hunt and can also lead to even higher earnings than those with a master’s degree alone.
Which is better, a Ph.D. or DBA?
Which degree is better depends on what kind of career you would like to pursue. A Ph.D. in business and a DBA are both terminal degrees, meaning they are the highest level of education you can achieve in business. However, a DBA tends to be focused more on practical leadership training and research — leading to more executive roles — while a Ph.D is more academically oriented and focuses on theoretical research, leading to roles in academia.
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