Are you eager to apply your business experience and knowledge to a rigorous, prestigious degree program?
Do you envision yourself at the head of an important corporate organization?
Or maybe you want to integrate your passion for teaching, higher education, and business by becoming a professor?
An Online Doctorate’s in Business Administration (DBA) will help you get there.
What kind of Doctorate’s in Business Administration degree should you get?
While all of these programs provide an excellent introduction to advanced business principles, they vary in focus, from Global Leadership to Human Capital Management.
Another important factor to note is that though all of these programs are offered online, some require residency visits. We’ve been sure to note those and describe the length and nature of the visit.
Whichever program offers the best fit, know that all of these degrees are a flexible way to advance your education and career.
They are affordable too. Most programs offer lower tuition rates to those studying primarily from a distance. For that reason, be sure to check out Best Online Colleges and Universities for a broader view of your online education options.
How much money do people make with a Doctorate’s in Business Administration degree?
Earning a doctorate in business administration sets you up for a variety of career options, all of which come with lucrative average salaries. For example, professors of business make nearly $100,000 a year. And Chief Executive Officers make nearly $200,000 a year.
On top of the financial rewards, an advanced degree in business administration ensures career stability. Current growth for business administrators is projected at 10 percent in the next few years.
Last, but certainly not least, job satisfaction reports that 80 percent of those working in business administration are “highly satisfied” with their work.
What are the requirements for an online Doctorate’s in Business Administration degree?
To apply to one of these graduate programs you will have to demonstrate a passionate commitment to business administration. Then once accepted, you will dive into advanced business concepts, theories, and applications.
You can anticipate two to three years of classes on business fundamentals while specializing in an area of interest. These specializations can be anything from global economics to finance, healthcare management, sustainability, and more.
In addition to a rigorous course load you will also engage in exhaustive research practice and write a dissertation in order to graduate.
PhD programs are notoriously difficult, and these online doctorates are no different in terms of standards. However, they are flexible, affordable, and adapted to fit the working professional’s schedule.
What are the best online Doctorate’s in Business Administration degrees?
Though all the programs below vary in emphasis, they are the best online Doctorate in Business Administration degrees in the country. Whether you want to work in an university classroom or a towering skyrise, one of these programs will help secure your future in business leadership.
To determine the best programs we started first with the academic reputation of each business school nationwide. Then we factored in the retention rates, as it reveals student satisfaction. From there we included affordability and the early salaries of graduates.
Through such extensive research, we were able to find the absolute best doctoral degrees in business administration. Our figures and information come from the university and colleges’ websites, PayScale, and nationally recognized U.S. News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics.
2018 Ranking
See our rankings methodology page.
1
Hampton University
Overview
Hampton University is located in Hampton, Virginia and is a historically black university. It is organized into nearly a dozen separate colleges and schools. It offers almost one hundred degree programs at all academic levels, from bachelor to doctorate to its 5,000 students.
Features
Though most of Hampton’s PhD in Business Administration degree can be completed online, it’s required that students attend two summer residencies. These are each four weeks long. This PhD is comprised of 61 credit hours, which includes comps and the dissertation. Courses cover:
- Organizational Behavior
- Empirical Research Methods
- Advanced Leadership Concepts
- Teaching Methodology
Notables
Hampton University was founded after the American Civil War to give a place for freedmen to earn an education. Thus, many of its buildings are on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. And campus itself is a National Historic Landmark district.
2
George Fox University
Overview
George Fox University (GFU) is located in Newberg, Oregon and is a Christian school. Steeped in the liberal arts, GFU offers over 50 academic programs, both undergraduate and graduate, to its 5,000 students. GFU was founded by the Quaker Church and still maintains its relationship with the Church.
Features
The George Fox online Doctor of Business Administration program is distinctively based in Christian principles. Students engage in a curriculum that integrates advanced business concepts with Christian values. Graduates from this program are prepared for careers in:
- Higher Education, as professors or administrators
- Corporate Leadership, as COOs, CTOs, and more
- Consulting, as a corporate trainer or independent contractor
Notables
George Fox has been included in Forbes’ list of the top 100 best colleges in America. Likewise, U.S. News & World Report recognizes it as a first-tier regional university in the West. Finally, on top of these academic accolades, George Fox is known for its affordability, ranked “Best Value” by Kiplinger’s.
3
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Overview
Located in Fort Collins, Colorado State University (CSU) is a large, research university. Over 33,000 students attend and are enrolled in one of the 150 academic programs offered by CSU. The university also offers a number of professional degrees and online programs.
Features
Colorado State University offers an online PhD in Education and Human Resource Studies that can be combined with specialization in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change. Through the CSU program you will work on your decision-making, leadership, and communication skills while diving into your unique research interests. Classes cover:
- Theory Building in Applied Disciplines
- Systems Leadership
- Scenario Planning in Organizations
- Social, Cultural, and Political Foundations of the Workplace
Notables
CSU has produced Pulitzer Prize winners, governors, astronauts, and more. It is well-ranked by Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and Washington Monthly. And BusinessWeek recognizes CSU’s business program as among the best in the nation.
4
University of South Florida-Main Campus
Overview
Located in Tampa, the University of South Florida (USF) is a large research school. It is part of the larger State University System of Florida. USF is organized into over a dozen colleges and schools and offers over 200 academic programs.
Features
This DBA program from USF takes only three years to complete. Though much of the coursework can be completed online, some on-campus visits are expected. Despite the residency requirements, USF’s program is markedly flexible, meaning you can maintain your current job while studying:
- Business Analytics
- Systems Theory
- Creativity and Strategic Planning
- Sustainability
Notables
USF is known for its strong graduate programs across disciplines. For example, its library science, business, criminology, and public health graduate departments are among the best in the nation. And the school as a whole is ranked 78th nationally by Washington Monthly.
5
Liberty University
Overview
Located in Lynchburg and boasting the largest online learning program in the world, Liberty University is a conservative, evangelical school. It is also the world’s largest Christian university with more than 15,000 students on campus, plus another 110,000 studying online.
Features
For those who want to earn their Doctorate of Business Administration completely online, Liberty’s program is a solid option. This is a 60 credit-hour degree in which sixteen credits are allocated toward a specialization. Among the many concentrations students can choose from are those in:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Healthcare Management
- International Business
Notables
Liberty’s online degrees are well-ranked by U.S. News & World Report, across subject areas. Not only is its online business administration degree one of the best in the nation, so is its criminal justice degree. Liberty has also been ranked among the top ten most conservative colleges in the country.
6
Colorado Technical University
Overview
Colorado Technical University (CTU) is mostly known for its elite online degrees. However, it does have campuses in Colorado Springs too. CTU offers degrees primarily in technology, business, and management. And over 23,000 students attend CTU, most of whom study online.
Features
CTU offers a fully online Doctor of Business Administration degree. In addition to taking core business courses in leadership and operations, you will also have the opportunity to specialize and enroll in many unique electives. Among some of CTU’s elective options are classes such as:
- Business Intelligence
- Futuring and Innovation
- Self-Insight and Personal Development as a Leader
- Leadership, Technology, and Social Media
Notables
CTU’s online programs are also ranked as among the best in the country. U.S. News & World Report places its online information technology, business, and criminal justices degrees as among the top 100 best in the country. Additionally, CTU is nationally recognized as a Military Friendly university.
7
Bellevue University
Overview
Bellevue University is located in Bellevue, Nebraska. Over 10,000 students attend Bellevue and are enrolled in one of the many professional and degree programs. Bellevue is organized into seven academic programs, including its business, management, and leadership programs.
Features
Bellevue offers a distinctive doctoral program for those interested in human capital: a fully online PhD in Human Capital Management. Through this program you will be introduced to all the current and emerging theories in human capital as well as its constructs, public policy, and more. The degree is composed of four learning modules:
- Strategic Human Capital Management and Productivity
- Linking Human Capital to Organizational Outcomes
- Human Capital Leadership and Introduction to Measurement
- Measuring, Analyzing, and Assessing Human Capital Effectiveness
Notables
This innovative school creates curriculums and degree programs that are specifically targeted to adult learners. Indeed, nearly 90 percent of Bellevue students are aged 25 or older. Also, Bellevue’s online programs are among the top ten best in the country, as deemed so by U.S. News & World Report.
8
Indiana Institute of Technology
Overview
Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) primarily provides doctoral degrees, but offers programs at the undergraduate and master’s level too. Comprised of five colleges, Indiana Tech specializes in business, engineering, computer science, education, and criminal justice. Nearly 10,000 students attend Indiana Tech.
Features
For those who seek an international perspective to their doctoral degree in business administration, Indiana Tech offers a PhD in Global Leadership. This is a multi-disciplinary degree program for both professionals and scholars. At Indiana Tech you will learn, research, and write about the global economy while specializing in an area of personal interest. You will also take classes that cover:
- Transnational Leadership
- Cultural and Social Responsibility
- External and Internal Business Environments
- Becoming a Global Leader
Notables
The student-to-faculty ratio at Indiana Tech is impressively low at 17:1. This means students have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with their professors, and even network with industry leaders. It further reflects Bellevue’s commitment to student and career-centric learning.
9
Baker College
Overview
Baker College has over a dozen locations around the state of Michigan. It is a career-centric school, offering a number of professional degrees plus many opportunities to study online. Over 43,000 students are enrolled at one of Baker’s campuses.
Features
At Baker you can earn a Doctor of Business Administration degree online. The Baker program integrates classes with seminars, professional residencies, research and writing, and the dissertation. At Baker you’ll learn everything from business theory to advanced management techniques through courses such as:
- Leading 21st Century Organizations
- Managing in a World-Wide Contexts
- Quality Improvement and Organizational Change
- Corporate and Personal Ethics
Notables
Baker College was founded over 100 years ago. It was originally created to provide degrees in business, but has expanded into the sprawling vocational school it is today. Degrees vary widely at Baker, and include everything from automotive technology to the culinary arts.
10
Grand Canyon University
Overview
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a Christian school. It provides a liberal arts education through its eight colleges. Over 20,000 students attend GCU on campus, plus another 60,000 study online.
Features
Grand Canyon University offers a fully online Doctor of Business Administration with an emphasis on Management degree. This is an ideal program for those who want to polish their leadership skills while gaining expertise in global economics. Classes include:
- Emerging Issues in Financial Management
- Using Business Analytics for Competitive Advantage
- Designing Organizational Structures
- Plus two residencies and a dissertation
Notables
GCU’s online programs are consistently well-ranked. And recently, Fortune magazine recognized GCU as among the top five best online schools in the nation. Uniquely, Town & Country wrote about the GCU campus, calling it one of the “10 Best College Campuses Across America.”
11
Keiser University
Overview
Keiser University is a private university located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Though, there are campuses throughout the state and online too. Keiser primarily offers degrees in business, healthcare, nursing, and management.
Features
At Keiser you will learn the inner workings of complex and global business organizations. You will hone your analytical skills while exploring business theory and evaluating real-world problems. 60 credits are required for completion of this DBA degree. Courses cover:
- Foundations in Business Research Writing
- Management and Leadership Approaches
- Global Business
- The Global Economy
Notables
U.S. News & World Report ranks Keiser 13th overall and 1st in the state of Florida in the category of Regional Colleges South. Additionally, Keiser has been praised for its service to student vets and active-military personnel.
12
Northcentral University
Overview
Northcentral University is a fully online university that has provided distance education for over twenty years. Northcentral offers degrees at all levels, and it specializes in the areas of business, psychology, technology management, education, and marriage and family therapy.
Features
Northcentral’s online DBA program takes approximately three years to complete. It offers eighteen areas of specialization (see below for a small sampling) while training its students for senior leadership positions. Meaning, you will take an equal amount of classes on business applications and technologies as you will on ethics and theory.
- Financial Management
- Health Care Administration
- International Business
- Human Resource Management
Notables
Due to its long history and commitment to alternative education, it’s no surprise that Northcentral’s online academic programs are well-ranked. Northcentral also boasts above national average graduation rates, a reflection of how satisfied students are.
13
Argosy University
Overview
Argosy University has over two dozen locations across the country. It also has a large online campus, where around 24,000 students are enrolled. Argosy offers dozens of degree programs in an array of academic areas, from business administration to health science.
Features
Argosy’s online DBA program requires 60 completed credit hours. 15 of these credits are in research while another 18 are in core business classes. Students then take 12 hours of electives and another 15 in research. Argosy also offers six concentrations, including those in:
- Accounting
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
Notables
All of Argosy’s programs were intentionally designed for the busy, working adult. All classes, both online and on campus, can be completed through Argosy’s unique flexible model. And classes are notably small, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1.
14
Saint Leo University
Overview
Saint Leo University is located in St. Leo, Florida. It is a Roman Catholic school that offers both traditional liberal arts degrees on campus as well as professional degrees online. More than 13,000 students attend Saint Leo.
Features
At Saint Leo you will develop your research skills while being able to synthesize the global implications of your research. The online DBA curriculum combines accounting, economics, and finance with marketing, project management, and statistics. Some of the classes you’ll take at Saint Leo are:
- A History of Applied Management Theory
- Global Leadership and Ethics
- Organizational Behavior and Social Responsibility
- Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Notables
Saint Leo has been praised for its academic excellence, its service to veterans and active-duty military, and its affordability. For example, U.S. News & World Report includes Saint Leo on its list of best online programs. And the Military Times calls it “Best for Vets.”
15
University of the Cumberlands
Overview
Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, the University of the Cumberlands is a small, Baptist school. Around 6,000 students attend Cumberlands and are enrolled in one of the university’s four schools. Cumberlands is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Features
The University of the Cumberlands offers an DBA through the Robert W. Plaster Graduate School of Business. Through this program you will build on your foundation in business to explore everything from global economics to management and marketing. Indeed, Cumberlands reflect this diversity through its curriculum. Classes include:
- Advanced Managerial Accounting
- Strategic Marketing
- Corporate Finance: Fiscal Management in a Global Climate
- Managerial Ethics and Social Responsibility
Notables
The University of the Cumberlands is home to the Quality Matters initiative. This program is an intentional move to provide better and better service to its students. The QM initiative is reflected in their curriculum, student services, faculty board, and more.