Top Doctorate in Business Administration Programs 2025
A doctoral program in business administration can prepare you for top executive careers and high-level research. Explore DBA careers today.
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A business doctorate is the terminal degree in business administration, ideal if you want to strengthen your skills or pursue a specialty career. A doctor of business administration (DBA) can prepare you for more advanced leadership roles than a generalist MBA would.
The average business doctorate takes between three and five years to earn, though online programs may offer accelerated completion options. Read further to learn about our top DBA programs.
Doctorate in Business Administration Highlights
- DBAs are relatively rare, with only 5,000 individuals earning a DBA compared to 250,000 earning MBAs, in 2021.
- Most DBA candidates are senior professionals with at least seven years of experience.
- College administrators project business programs to grow 15% over the next five years.
Source: Harvard Business Review; Best Colleges
Start Your Journey Now
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top DBA Programs
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI4 yearCampus + Online
$20,202
$39,696
87%
52%
$18,016
$44,368
91%
51,316
Public
Yes
$20,202
$39,696
East Lansing, MI4 yearCampus + Online
$20,202
$39,696
87%
52%
$18,016
$44,368
91%
51,316
Public
Yes
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA4 yearCampus
$24,466
$41,602
54%
36%
$19,672
$39,626
92%
49,135
Public
Yes
$24,466
$41,602
University Park, PA4 yearCampus
$24,466
$41,602
54%
36%
$19,672
$39,626
92%
49,135
Public
Yes
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$20,531
$26,672
83%
49%
$21,014
$36,379
84%
30,205
Public
Yes
$20,531
$26,672
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$20,531
$26,672
83%
49%
$21,014
$36,379
84%
30,205
Public
Yes
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$11,700
$26,802
70%
18%
$12,522
$45,096
88%
26,426
Public
Yes
$11,700
$26,802
Riverside, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$11,700
$26,802
70%
18%
$12,522
$45,096
88%
26,426
Public
Yes
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$6,916
$25,759
43%
9%
$6,368
$22,467
92%
68,842
Public
Yes
$6,916
$25,759
Orlando, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$6,916
$25,759
43%
9%
$6,368
$22,467
92%
68,842
Public
Yes
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO4 yearCampus + Online
$15,251
$35,017
81%
35%
$10,728
$36,546
89%
39,089
Public
Yes
$15,251
$35,017
Boulder, CO4 yearCampus + Online
$15,251
$35,017
81%
35%
$10,728
$36,546
89%
39,089
Public
Yes
University of Georgia
Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online
$8,878
$25,186
37%
20%
$9,790
$28,830
95%
41,615
Public
Yes
$8,878
$25,186
Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online
$8,878
$25,186
37%
20%
$9,790
$28,830
95%
41,615
Public
Yes
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$24,962
$42,324
50%
18%
$20,154
$38,520
92%
29,178
Public
Yes
$24,962
$42,324
Pittsburgh, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$24,962
$42,324
50%
18%
$20,154
$38,520
92%
29,178
Public
Yes
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC4 yearCampus + Online
$13,374
$29,760
61%
61%
$12,288
$34,534
91%
36,579
Public
Yes
$13,374
$29,760
Columbia, SC4 yearCampus + Online
$13,374
$29,760
61%
61%
$12,288
$34,534
91%
36,579
Public
Yes
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$8,350
$19,048
41%
67%
$3,647
$11,963
92%
48,566
Public
Yes
$8,350
$19,048
Tampa, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$8,350
$19,048
41%
67%
$3,647
$11,963
92%
48,566
Public
Yes
Why You Should Get a Business Doctorate
Career Advantage: MBAs are popular, but DBAs are rare, which means holding a terminal business degree offers a competitive edge.- Leadership Focus: A business doctorate prepares you for management roles at the highest levels of business and commerce that may be unattainable with a lower degree.
- Higher Earning Potential: Graduates with a business doctorate may earn higher salaries due to their distinctive qualifications and extensive experience.
Benefits of Getting a DBA Online
93% of graduates expect their online degree to have a high return on investment (ROI).- More than 80% of students view online learning as better than or equal to in-person classes.
- Nearly 100% of prospective and current students and graduates would recommend online learning.
Source: Best Colleges
Curious what courses you’ll take online? Check out our DBA program guide
How to Choose the Best DBA Program for You
Choosing the right business doctorate requires the following key factors and considerations, including but not limited to cost, application requirements, and career outcomes.
How Much Does a Business Doctorate Cost?
Online DBA
Avg. Tuition & Fees (2019-2020): $10,308
Avg. Net Price (2019-2020): $9,621
Online Ph.D. in Business
Avg. Tuition & Fees (2019-2020): $18,494
Avg. Net Price (2019-2020): $17,323
Source: NCES PowerStats
Earning a business doctorate typically costs between $10,000 and $18,500, but financial aid can help offset the cost of tuition and other fees. Generally, pursuing a terminal degree such as a DBA or Ph.D. in business is more expensive than earning an MBA since those programs take longer to complete. However, doctoral students tend to receive more funding and can graduate with little to no debt.
Doctoral programs often offer financial aid through tuition waivers, stipends, and insurance coverage. Seventy-one percent of Ph.D. candidates receive some form of grant aid compared to 38% of master’s degree students. Additionally, online business doctoral programs may offer additional savings through benefits like set tuition rates, flexible enrollment options, or accelerated programs.
Find Financial Aid for Your DBA
DBA Application Requirements
- MBA or relevant master’s degree (some programs may accept a bachelor’s degree)
- 7-10 years of relevant professional experience
- Transcripts, resume, and letters of recommendation
- Application fee (typically $50-$150)
- GMAT or GRE scores (may be optional)
What Can You Do With a DBA?
Earning a business doctorate can prepare you for some of the highest-paying jobs in management, research, and academia. For example, this terminal business administration degree can help you build the high-level leadership skills you need to become a logistics manager or CEO. You may also qualify for other high-paying and fast-growing top executive and management roles.
| Job | Median Annual Salary | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teacher | $84,380 | DBA graduates may become postsecondary educators in subjects like business, finance, or economics. |
| Logisticians | $79,400 | Logisticicians need high-level business skills including negotiation, problem-solving, and supply chain management. |
| Economist | $115,730 | Graduates with a doctorate are eligible for positions as economists or business researchers for government and nonprofit agencies. |
| Chief Executive Officer | $206,680 | CEOs can rely on their advanced DBA skills to lead global corporations, complex businesses, or niche nonprofit agencies. |
Learn More About Business Administration Jobs
Is a Doctorate in Business Administration Worth It?
Earning a business doctorate can lead to enhanced career opportunities for adult online learners with executive management experience. While many aspiring professionals opt for an MBA, mid-career professionals can achieve leadership roles and may earn more with a DBA.
In Best Colleges’ 2024 Online Education Trends Report, nearly 50% of business graduates reported that their online classes included opportunities to build professional networks, while at least 50% stated that their online classes included assignments that they could relate to future jobs and use to explore career options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Earning a Doctorate in Business Administration
Since MBAs are more common among business professionals, a DBA may help give you a competitive edge in your particular field or industry. DBAs can offer unique networking and career opportunities to experienced and mid-level business professionals.
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