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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2025A 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
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top DBA Programs
How We Rank Schools
Michigan State University
- East Lansing, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Michigan State University's doctoral program in business administration offers eight concentrations, including marketing, finance, information technology management, and strategic management.
As a doctoral student in this program, you'll work with a guidance committee to help you plan a rigorous program of study. The study is multidisciplinary. Once you graduate, you'll have skills in specialized and innovative research.
Plan to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). These scores are required for admission.
Highlights
- Eight concentration areas
- Offers a guidance committee
Know Before You Apply
- GMAT or GRE scores required for admission
52%
$20,202
91%
$39,696
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Students Enrolled
- 51,316
- Institution Type
- Public
Pennsylvania State University
- University Park, PA
- 4 year
- Campus
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Pennsylvania State University hosts a business administration DBA program that can prepare you for management roles in government, business, and nonprofit organizations.
You'll study a curriculum that combines managerial theory with case studies and other integrative learning methods. Other coursework looks like corporate finance theories on agency costs, market inefficiencies, and taxation.
All of the coursework asks, "Why is this happening?" so you'll know how to solve new problems within your organization. You'll complete the program with a research project.
Highlights
- Six electives to choose from
- Offers a managerial communications course
Know Before You Apply
- Requires 54 credits
- First-year students must take a qualifying exam
36%
$24,466
92%
$41,602
- Acceptance Rate
- 54%
- Students Enrolled
- 49,135
- Institution Type
- Public
Temple University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Temple University's business administration DBA program offers a cohort-style environment where you can collaborate with your fellow students. You'll study with award-winning faculty who have a wealth of experience.
The program has a personalized mentorship program that will help you navigate academia. You'll also have access to research centers and institutes, where you'll find support and resources.
Coursework includes scientific inquiry through applied research and navigating the global marketplace. You'll visit campus six weekends per year, from Friday through Sunday, for the first two years.
Highlights
- Scholarships available
- Offers research centers and services
Know Before You Apply
- Three years to complete
- Part-time
- Six on-site residencies per year
49%
$20,531
84%
$26,672
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Students Enrolled
- 30,205
- Institution Type
- Public
University of California-Riverside
- Riverside, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of California, Riverside's Ph.D. program in business administration offers four areas of concentration: operations, marketing, finance, and strategic management and organization.
As far as financial aid, the program awards several multi-year fellowship packages for incoming students. You may receive full or partial payment of tuition and fees, a stipend, and teaching assistant (TA) or graduate student researcher appointments.
For admission, you'll need to submit official GMAT or GRE scores, so make time to take one of these exams. No prior business degree is required for admission.
Highlights
- Four concentration areas
- Fellowship packages
Know Before You Apply
- GMAT or GRE scores required for admission
- Must pass a language proficiency exam to be a TA
18%
$11,700
88%
$26,802
- Acceptance Rate
- 70%
- Students Enrolled
- 26,426
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Central Florida's business administration Ph.D. focuses on management and will prepare you for an academic career in a major research university.
This full-time program provides stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance. Coursework includes insightful classes such as organizational behavior, directed readings in management, and business-level strategic management.
In-state students pay $370 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $1,194 per credit. You must complete 72 credits beyond a bachelor's degree (or 54 credits beyond a master's degree).
Highlights
- Only $370 per credit hour for in-state students
- Prepares you for a career in academia
- Offers stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance
Know Before You Apply
- Full-time program
- Requires 72 credits
9%
$ 6,916
92%
$25,759
- Acceptance Rate
- 43%
- Students Enrolled
- 68,842
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Colorado Boulder
- Boulder, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Colorado Boulder's Ph.D. in business administration program will prepare you for a research career in a leading university.
You'll study with a diverse group of faculty and peers, gaining a deep understanding of research within finance, marketing, operations, information systems, and related disciplines.
The program is small, ensuring you can get the mentorship you need to create innovative knowledge within your discipline. To graduate, you must complete 30 hours of coursework plus 30 hours of dissertation work. You must also maintain a GPA of at least 3.3.
You'll teach classes to get your teaching proficiency, and you'll have six years to complete all of your degree requirements.
Highlights
- Provides six years to complete the degree
Know Before You Apply
- Teaching is required
- Most students complete this program in five years
35%
$15,251
89%
$35,017
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Students Enrolled
- 39,089
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Georgia
- Athens, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Georgia's Ph.D. in business administration offers two management concentrations: strategy and leadership and organizational behavior.
This program will develop you into a scholar who can take teaching or research roles at major colleges and universities.
You'll work with both a committee and an advisor to design your academic program. You'll also be expected to be involved with your faculty mentors when teaching and conducting research for the university.
This is a full-time program.
Highlights
- Offers two concentrations
- Provides a committee and advisor
Know Before You Apply
- Full-time program
- Designed for scholars
20%
$ 8,878
95%
$25,186
- Acceptance Rate
- 37%
- Students Enrolled
- 41,615
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Pittsburgh's part-time DBA program is designed for those who want to continue working while completing their doctoral studies. You'll study in a flexible hybrid model, learning both online and on campus, completing 45 credits.
In this three-year program, you'll learn to synthesize research in real-world business situations, gaining executive management experience. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Highlights
- Flexible hybrid model
- Part-time program
Know Before You Apply
- 3-year program
- Must earn 45 credits
18%
$24,962
92%
$42,324
- Acceptance Rate
- 50%
- Students Enrolled
- 29,178
- Institution Type
- Public
University of South Carolina
- Columbia, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of South Carolina offers a business administration Ph.D. program offers seven specialization options that include human resources, international finance, marketing, and organizational behavior.
You'll learn from top-ranked international business faculty. With a flexible curriculum, you can customize your teaching and research focus to match your personal interests and career goals.
Once you graduate from this program, you'll have a thorough understanding of the main theoretical principles within your specialization. You'll develop your program of study by consulting with a Ph.D. advisory committee, earning 60 credits.
Highlights
- Seven specialization options
- Flexible curriculum
- Top-ranked faculty
Know Before You Apply
- Requires 60 credits to graduate
61%
$13,374
91%
$29,760
- Acceptance Rate
- 61%
- Students Enrolled
- 36,579
- Institution Type
- Public
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of South Florida offers online and in-person DBA programs that focus on the practical application of business knowledge. You'll learn how to analyze and process data to solve business problems and drive growth.
Each program takes three years to complete. If you choose an in-person program, you'll meet face-to-face with your professors and colleagues one weekend per month in January through May and again from August to December.
In the first year and a half, you'll gain the research tools to write your dissertation. In the second year and a half of this program, you'll write your dissertation.
Highlights
- Online and in-person options
- Three years of study
Know Before You Apply
- Costs $30,000 per year
- $2,500 initial research workshop fee
- Requires a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission
67%
$ 8,350
92%
$19,048
- Acceptance Rate
- 41%
- Students Enrolled
- 48,566
- Institution Type
- Public
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 (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teacher | $83,980 | DBA graduates may become postsecondary educators in subjects like business, finance, or economics. |
| Logisticians | $80,880 | Logisticicians need high-level business skills including negotiation, problem-solving, and supply chain management. |
| Economist | $115,440 | Graduates with a doctorate are eligible for positions as economists or business researchers for government and nonprofit agencies. |
| Chief Executive Officer | $105,350 | 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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