Top Doctorate in Business Administration Programs 2025

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

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• GMAT or GRE scores required for admission

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

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• Requires 54 credits
• First-year students must take a qualifying exam

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

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• Three years to complete
• Part-time 
• Six on-site residencies per year

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

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• GMAT or GRE scores required for admission
• Must pass a language proficiency exam to be a TA

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

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• Full-time program
• Requires 72 credits

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

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• Teaching is required
• Most students complete this program in five years

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 

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• Full-time program
• Designed for scholars

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

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• 3-year program
• Must earn 45 credits

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

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• Requires 60 credits to graduate 

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