Business administration is a term that can refer to many different professional tracks, including management positions in corporations and enterprises. A PhD in Business or Finance or a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is the highest level of education someone can get in this field. As the economy grows, and global enterprise becomes more common, so does the field of business administration and management itself (and the average business administration salary, too).
Recommended Online DBA Programs
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics suggests a growth of 8% by the year 2026, for top executives, or those in the C-suite (CEOs, CFOs, COOs, etc). As for Business professors, often the highest paid faculty positions in postsecondary education, they should expect a 15% increase in job opportunities in the same time frame. As long as there is finance, trade, and commerce in the U.S., they will need skilled leaders to guide corporations and future business people in successful business operations. With all of those responsibilities, finding an excellent online DBA program should not be the hardest part of this job. Luckily Online PhD has made it easier. The following is the largest and most comprehensive list of Online Business DBAs and business PhDs found anywhere on the web.
What do Business Administrators do with their Doctorate degree?
People interested in a doctorate in business administration are usually those among the top executives in their companies, who have been in the field for up to a decade and looking to stay on the cutting edge. They may also be business people turned educators, or teacher tycoons, hoping to impart their smarts onto the next generations of first-rate financiers. Whatever the case, the online Doctorate in Business Administration degree will take accomplished business people to the top of their professional potential. The Wall Street Journal suggests that terminal degrees in business (Ph.D.s and DBAs) are becoming more common, and even suggested, to non-academic professionals, where these jobs were historically reserved for those with more years in the practice of business than in the classrooms of business. Doctorates in specialized areas like marketing and finance are even becoming more common.
People who thrive in this position are driven, capable, and personable. Running a successful company often means possessing qualities that cannot be taught. Often successful managers and administrators are good at what they do, based on having skills in leadership and smart-risk taking. They are often goal-oriented and expose themselves to as much information in their field they can get their hands on. They are able to synthesize information and find a clear path towards success. They are not thrown off track by failure, rather embracing it as an opportunity to learn more and grow. Many of these traits come naturally to people, but what can be learned, a business administration courses will try to teach.
Business School Online? What’s the catch?
These days, achieving an online business degree is as legit as getting the same degree any other way. An online Executive Doctorate in Business Administration, for instance, means your learning schedule will take into account your needs to continue running your business. With the rise in the use of technology for business, many on-campus business schools utilize the computer for the majority, if not all of the coursework. Why do the same work in the same room on campus, when you could be at home just as well? Many of these low residency and hybrid business administration schools meet on weekends, or for residencies throughout the year, leaving ample time to continue your professional career. The fully online business administration schools can be completed entirely from your home or office, without disrupting your current life flow at all. The Doctorate in Business Administration degree, the PhD in Finance or Business Leadership degrees featured on this list each take from 2-4 years to complete. Many schools’ business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or AACSB, which is the gold standard in business education accreditation.
Programs in the Top 50 Doctorate in Business Administration and Management PhD Programs are ranked by institutional costs, as reported by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the schools’ Niche Score from Niche.com, and the average salary of alumni, 10 years later from Scorecard.ed.gov.
1 . Baruch College – Manhattan, NY
Bernard M. Baruch College is a member of the City University of New York and is a public research university located in Manhattan. Originally founded in 1847 as the Free Academy, Baruch was the first institution to offer free college in the United States. It is now considered a senior college, meaning it offers four-year coursework, as opposed to the first two undergraduate years of the offered at the junior college level. Students can choose between undergraduate and graduate programs in three schools; the Zicklin School of Business, the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, and the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, which offers more than 40 majors and minors. The Division of Continuing and Professional Studies is available to students seeking certificates and other non-degree programs.
Executive Doctorate in Business from the Zicklin School of Business is a 3-year professional degree that is designed for top executives with more than 7 years experience in the field. With a finger on the pulse of a corporate executive’s life, meetings and courses are held just 25 hours per semester. The 4-day residencies feature full-day classes and are held three times per semester, optimizing the amount of time students can spend developing relationships with their cohort and faculty. Students are also required to attend 20 hours per semester of formal distance learning. There is no residency requirement for attendance, which means minimal disruption to the students’ work and lives. The first year of the program focuses on research methods, the second on Econometric Methods, and the third and final semester on leadership and strategic planning.
Degree: eDBA
Cost: $$$$$
2. Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, OK
Oklahoma State University was originally known as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College when it was established in 1890. Its campus is located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma. It is a public research institution that is known for its athletic heritage, and their large-scale homecoming celebrations which date back to 1913. The U.S. News and World Report has ranked them number 66 among Top Public Schools: National Universities. OSU offers over 200 degree programs from six distinct colleges; these include the comprehensive Spears School of Business, which has seven departments of its own including Department of Finance, Department of Management, Department of Marketing, Department of Economics & Legal Studies, and the Department of Management Science and Information Systems.
Oklahoma State University offers an exclusive PdD Program in Business, designed for Executives. The fact that it is tailored to professionals is important to the accessibility of the coursework for students who are engaged in professional level careers and are wanting to move up the ladder. The “executive format” means that students are only required to attend residencies four days per month for 10 months per year, with additional learning objectives to be met online. Eight courses make up the core curriculum, and the topics include research methods, macro and micro organizational issues, innovation, creativity, and qualitative and quantitative mixed methods.
Degree: Executive DBA
Cost: $$$$$
3. The University of South Florida – Tampa, FL
The University of South Florida is a public university located in The Tampa Bay area of Florida. They offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. USF is a member of the USF System, which includes three separate schools; USF, USF Sarasota-Manatee, and St. Petersburg. This four-year university has an annual research budget of over $415 million. USF has 14 distinct colleges to choose from. Together they offer over 180 undergraduate majors. As a high-impact, global research university, USF is committed primarily to student success. The school was founded in 1956, and they currently serve nearly 50 thousand students each year.
The Muma College of Business at THe University of South Florida offers a comprehensive DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) program designed for executives with extensive experience working in the field of business. Students move through the length of the program as a cohort. Each cohort engages in the same coursework, which will vary among the cohorts at any given time. The curriculum builds on life experience and engages in quantitative and qualitative research strategies. Students are encouraged to tailor their research topics to their personal and professional interests as they prepare for their dissertations. The University of South Florida offers a DBA that prepares students to enter the realm of academia or executive business.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
4. Florida International University – University Park, FL
Florida International University is considered a metropolitan public research institution, with its main campus located in University Park, Florida. They were established in 1965 after many years of planning and bringing this vision to fruition. Originally, the building they acquired, which was at the site of a former airport, had no telephones, furniture, or even drinking water. Currently, they are known for their high level of research and are classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having the Highest Research Activity. FIU is one of the 12 campuses that make up the State University System of Florida, and they are one of the states graduate universities. Ninety percent of the student population is from the state of Florida.
Florida International University FIU Business School offers a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program exclusively designed for senior level working professionals. The organization of the coursework is such that participants will not have to sacrifice their current careers in order to be successful students, even though it is rigorous. The hybrid format that synthesizes online learning with a face-to-face experience engages professional students through 72 credit hours of coursework. The program should take three years to complete. Graduates will walk away from the program with cutting-edge skills that include in-depth problems solving related to business issues, as well as leadership and managerial practice that can elevate career potential exponentially.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
5. Kansas State University – Manhattan, KS
In Manhattan, Kansas, Kansas State University was born. In 1863, it became the state’s first institution of higher learning, enrolling its first students in the midst of the American Civil War. Known colloquially as K-State, they also have branches campuses in the towns of Olathe, and Salina, Kansas. They are known by the Carnegie Foundation as a hub for the highest level of research. Currently, they have made a name for themselves as a provider of extensive online programming through their Global Campus that was established over 50 years ago. Their online classes are facilitated by the same renowned on-campus faculty. They are also known for their affordability.
The Global Campus at Kansas State University offers multiple online PhD Programs including a Personal Financial Planning Doctorate. This multi-faceted program enables students to gain the skills to be faculty at postsecondary institutions, or choose a career path as a personal financial advisor, among many other opportunities. The curriculum is delivered in a hybrid model, enabling students to complete most of their coursework online, while getting in face time at 10-day on-campus intensive residencies during three consecutive summers. Each student will write a dissertation and participate in a capstone project. The final semester of the program gives students the chance to study abroad, and learn about global market systems first hand.
Degree: PhD Finance Planning
Cost: $$$$$
6. Temple University – Philadelphia, PA
The Fox School of Business at Temple University offers a Doctorate in Business Administration program that is delivered in a hybrid format. The classes are primarily delivered online with a select number of on-campus residences throughout the three-year program. The course of study was designed for senior level executives and professionals who are interested in achieving a doctor of business administration salary and transforming the business environment. Students will learn how to get to the bottom of complex business-related problems and fine-tune solutions. Each participant will tailor their research to individual interests and goals for their career path.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
7. UNC Charlotte – Charlotte, NC
The University of North Carolina – Charlotte was founded in 1946, after the city fought for a public institution of higher education since 1871. At that time, the nearest university was 90 miles away in Greensboro. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, UNC sits in the University City neighborhood on nearly 1,000 acres of land. They have an additional Research Institute Campus, called the Charlotte Research Institute, on 100 acres just off the main campus. Located in the first ward of uptown, Charlotte, is the Center City Campus, which has a focus on evening and business courses. Their emphasis is on adult learners, specifically urban city workers.
University of North Carolina Charlotte offers a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program that follows a low-residency model. Students will come to campus for one long weekend per month, and the rest of the coursework will be completed online, over a three year period. Prospective students must first have a master’s degree in order to qualify for the program, as well as extensive work experience, between 5-10 years. This course of study is rigorous, so commitment and drive are weighed heavily in the application process. The residencies provide students exceptional networking opportunities, both within the program and in the city of Charlotte, the #3 financial city in the country.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
8. Grand Canyon University – Phoenix, AZ
Grand Canyon University was established in 1949 as a liberal arts institution, with non-profit status. Their campus is located in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2004, they were bought by Grand Canyon Education Incorporated, and have since been operating as a Christian university. They are classified by the Carnegie Foundation as offering a moderate level of research within their eight unique colleges. They have many program offerings, including undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in science, liberal arts, Christian theology, and healthcare, among many others. They are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and are in the process of returning to non-profit status.
Grand Canyon University is home to one of many DBA online programs, which is offered by their college of Doctoral Studies. They offer three DBA programs online with distinct specialties, including Marketing, Management, and Data Analytics. All of the programs provide students with the underpinnings to develop evidence-based practices and theories. Students will engage at the cutting edge of the global economy, and learn to meet the current demands. Career outcomes enable powerful transformative work within a variety of financial institutions, including within academic settings, as well as corporate and private. Students will also have a comprehensive framework and research methodologies for capital markets and market investments, as well as microeconomic foundations.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
9. University of Missouri-St. Louis – St. Louis, MO
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, the University of Missouri-St. Louis was founded in 1963 and is one of the four institutions that make up the University of Missouri System. It is the most recent addition to the system. They pride themselves on a low student to faculty ratio of 16:1. Their International Business Undergraduate program was ranked 7 times in the top 20 of comparable schools. In 2010, they ranked 15th. The campus has two Metrolink Light Rail stations on campus, and students can take it between the north and south campuses. They have an active student life, including clubs and organizations, as well as six sororities and fraternities on campus.
The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers a (DBA) Doctor of Business Administration Program that is cohort based and delivered over a three year period. There is a three weekend per term residency requirement, giving students the opportunity to engage with their cohort and faculty face-to-face, though the majority of discussions will take place online. During the first two years of the program, students will be steeped in business and management methodology and strategy. The third year will be focused on the student’s dissertation and research. The program is fully accredited for both Accounting and Business by the AACSB, which helped make this business school among the top 5 percent of the globe.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
10. Florida Institute of Technology – Melbourne, FL
Florida Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Florida Tech, was founded in 1958. Its original name was Brevard Engineering College, and it was established for the purpose of supporting NASA. Currently, they are located in the small city of Melbourne, Florida, on a 130-acre campus, just beside the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport. The stretch of the Atlantic Ocean that they are located on is considered the Space Coast region. Their student body consists of just under 5,000 students both undergraduate and graduate, all of which have a primary focus on the sciences and engineering. They have many graduate studies programs that are administered at a variety of off-campus sites.
The Florida Institute of Technology offers a Doctor of Business Administration degree program that is geared towards professional students. Applicants must have first completed a minimum of five years experience in a professional leadership role, in order to develop the executive skills that the program promotes. The coursework will be completed in the first two years of the program, and the third and final year will enable students to focus on experiential learning in the field while conducting research and writing their dissertations. There is an emphasis on cohort learning, as throughout the program students will meet each semester with their cohorts to collaborate and network.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
11. Creighton University – Omaha, NE
Creighton University was established in 1878, and was willed by Mary Lucretia Creighton, in honor of her late husband. It was founded by the Society of Jesus, as a Jesuit Catholic Institution. Their campus is located on a 140-acre piece of land, just outside of Omaha, Nebraska’s downtown business district. It is a member institution of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. They are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Their student body consists of just under 8,500 undergraduate and graduate students. They are the home to seven distinct schools and colleges.
Creighton University offers a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) Program that was explicitly designed for students who are interested in achieving a tenure track position at a teaching university or college. Uniquely, they infuse their Jesuit, Catholic foundation into their business education, giving students opportunities for complex Ignatian reflection. The course of study is delivered in a hybrid model, specifically with students in mind who would like to continue working full-time. In the first two years, students will be required to attend eight weekend long residencies, while the rest of the program is delivered online. The cohort model gives students embedded peer support, an invaluable resource in any doctoral program.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
12. Drexel University – Philadelphia, PA
Drexel University was founded in 1891, as a private research school. Their primary campus is located in the University City District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They underwent many name changes since their inception and began as Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry. They have over 100 doctoral and master’s programs, as well as close to 70 bachelor’s programs. Their total enrollment is over 26,000 students. In 1996, Drexel began offering internet-based learning opportunities, which led them to establish a virtual campus called Drexel University Online. In 2012 they established a site in Washington DC, which is where their online education programming is headquartered.
Drexel University offers an Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) Degree Program. This dynamic program was designed to serve senior managers and executives with the equipment to solve complex business-related problems, utilizing research techniques, analysis, and critical knowledge. The cross-disciplinary study is a feature of the program, as well as experiential learning opportunities that enable students to apply their skills to real-world situations. Students can complete the program in 2 and a half years. The program utilizes a blended format featuring online learning mixed with on-campus residencies. Each student will have their own dissertation mentor, helping them tackle their research and dissertation experience.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$$
13. University of Dallas – Dallas, TX
The University of Dallas was founded in 1956, as a private regional independent Roman Catholic college. They are known for being the home to a conservative value system and offering a world-class education steeped in Catholic Orthodoxy. Their 744-acre urban campus is located in the town of Irving, Texas. They pride themselves on an 11:1 student to faculty ratio, and offer intimate classes with a promise of personal attention. They have many master’s and doctoral programs. The undergraduate enrollment is just above 1,300 students, and graduate students make up just over 1,000. They have a campus in Southeast Rome, where many students spend a semester studying.
The University of Dallas offers a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, administered in a blended format. Because the program was designed to accommodate working professionals, much of the coursework is online, with some classroom learning requirements as well. Students will learn how to develop evidence-based tools to improve business and organizations. The goal of the program is to support career and leadership development for professionals who already have a significant amount of work experience. The program can be completed in three years, with a requirement of 61 credit hours. This is the only AACSB accredited DBA program in the giant state of Texas!
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
14. University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, Wisconson
The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater was founded in 1868, and is a four-year public school. They were originally designed to be a Normal School, in service of training teachers. They are located in the town of Whitewater, Wisconsin on a rural campus. As one of the schools that comprise the University of Wisconsin System, they are in good company in one of the biggest academic systems in the country. Their total enrollment is closer to 12,000 students, and they have over 1,000 courses that cross many disciplines. Students come from 40 different states and 30 different countries to attend UWW.
The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater offers a Doctorate of Business Administration Program (DBA). This course of study is geared towards professional students who are interested in achieving a tenure-track academic position or working with high executive status in the business world. The program is known for being one of few in the country with AACSB Accreditation. This is a 60-credit hour program that utilizes the cohort model for peer engagement and learning. Students will attend face-to-face classes one weekend per month for the first two years of the program and then spend their final year focusing on their dissertation research and writing.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
15. Pepperdine University – Los Angeles, CA
Pepperdine University is a private research institution established in 1937, during the Great Depression. They are connected to the Churches of Christ. Their 830-acre campus is right beside Malibu, in unincorporated Los Angeles, California. It is privy to a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean. The US News and World Report ranked Pepperdine 65th among their top Business Schools. It is often described when people are talking about the most beautiful campuses in the country. They have two graduate campuses, which include the Graziadio Business School and the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, both of which are situated in West Los Angeles.
Graziadio Business School at Pepperdine University a low residency Doctorate Program in Business Administration (DBA). This program is geared towards business professionals who are wanting to take the next step in their career. This is the only AACSB accredited DBA program in the Western Region of the country. Each student has access to one-on-one guidance with their faculty team to support their research. In the first year, students will be required to attend 3, week-long residencies. In the second year, on top of these residencies, they are required to attend a DBA Conference. In the third and final year, conference participation is required along with research and dissertation defense.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
16. Baker University Online – Baldwin City, KS
Established in 1858, Baker University was founded and named after Methodist and Bible scholar Osman Cleander Baker. It is a private Christian College situated in the town of Baldwin City, Kansas on a ten-acre campus. It is comprised of four distinct schools, including the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Education. Total enrollment is close to 3,000 students for all of its programming. Student life has been active since the school first opened their doors, and greek life dates back to 1865. In the 1970s Alpha Kappa Alpha became initiated the first historically black Greek organization to set up shop at Baker University.
Among Baker University’s online PhD programs in their Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) Program. In this DBA online program, students will engage in a dynamic educational experience that synthesizes online classes, professional residencies, research, and a culminating dissertation. Graduates of the program will have access to a whole new career realm following the program, from academic to the professional business sector, including CEO and CMO status. The entire program should take students three and a half years to complete, making up 60 credit hours. Students will choose between one of five specializations including leadership, human resources, finance, marketing, and management information systems, or they can design their own course of study.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
17. DePaul University – Chicago, IL
DePaul University was established in 1898, by the Vincentians. They were named after the French priest from the 17th century named St. Vincent DePaul. They are located in the downtown financial district of Chicago, Illinois. DePaul is a commuter school, in fact, 90% of their students live off campus or commute. Total undergraduate enrollment is close to 16,000 and graduate is near 7,600, including law students. They have a suburban campus in the town of O’hare, separate from the two urban locations in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and the Loop of Chicago. Their Driehaus College of Business has been open since 1913.
The Driehaus College of Business & Kellstadt Graduate School of Business offers at DePaul University offers a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program. The course design includes monthly, two-day residencies on campus, for nine months per year, and students can complete the program in three years. The residency structure was designed with commuter professionals in mind, enabling students to participate in the program who live anywhere in the country. The program is designed for executive potential students who have a master’s degree and have been working in a business related profession for 8-10 years. The program is fully accredited by the AACSB.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
18. Georgia State University – Atlanta, GA
Georgia State University is a public research school that was established in 1913 and initially was founded as a night school. Their original name was Georgia School of Technology’s Evening School of Commerce. In the 1930s there was a major reorganization of the University of Georgia System, in which Georgia State University is one of four schools. At the time they became the Atlanta Extension Center of the University of Georgia. This change allowed students to begin getting degrees from many of the colleges within the state system. They have grown exponentially since their early days. Currently, they are classified as an R1 school, indicating that they conduct a high level of research as noted by the Carnegie Foundation.
Georgia State University offers an Executive Doctorate in Business Program through the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. The program was built specifically for business executives who have years of experience in the industry. Throughout the program students will engage with research methodologies in relation to leadership, global perspectives, practical problem solving and decision making. The program is three years in length and requires students to be on campus for 24, Thursday through Saturday residencies. This flexible model allows students to continue working in their careers if they choose while completing the program. Each student will receive one-on-one guidance from a faculty member to complete their dissertation.
Degree: Executive DBA
Cost: $$$$$
19. University of the Incarnate Word – San Antonio, TX
The University of the Incarnate Word was founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. They traveled to San Antonio on a mission to treat cholera during a catastrophic outbreak in 1881. The school was originally created to be an all women’s institution for higher learning, though they have since become co-educational. Their primary location is in the Alamo Heights neighborhood of San Antonio, Texas, which is on 154 acres of land. They have maintained their Catholic denomination, identifying this as the basis of their educational integrity. They have an all-girls high school on site, as well as a co-educational high school called St. Anthony Catholic High School.
The University of the Incarnate Word offers many online PhD programs, including a DBA online. This Doctor of Business Administration builds on the experience of incoming students, all of whom will have years of executive business practice under their belts. Prospective students should also have completed a business related masters degree or the equivalent. The program can be achieved entirely online, or students choose to engage in a hybrid format which utilizes online asynchronous learning methods, as well as face-to-face and synchronized online learning. Students in the program will graduate with a comprehensive framework for business operations and management leadership.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
20. Pace University – New York, NY
Pace University was established in 1906, as a private, as a co-educational business school. Their primary campus is situated in the heart of New York City, giving students access to the global business hub of the world. They are within walking distance to Wall Street and the World Financial Center, as well as Little Italy, and Chinatown. They have two additional campuses in White Plains, and Pleasantville, New York. Under the Pace umbrella are Pace University High School, as well as a women’s justice center located in Yonkers, New York. They also own two business incubators.
The Lubin School of Business at Pace University offers online PhD programs, including their Doctor of Professional Studies, Executive Doctoral Program (DPS). Graduates of the program are in line to make a Doctor of Business Administration salary while learning all of the skills to move forward with senior management. Graduates of the program will also be well poised to kickstart an academic career or begin an independent consulting firm. The structure of the program makes it so students do not have to interrupt their careers in order to be successful in the program, as the embedded flexibility makes it possible to multitask.
Degree: DPS
Cost: $$$$$
21. University of South Alabama – Mobile, AL
The University of South Alabama offers a Doctor of Business Administration degree program that engages an executive format, meaning students can continue working in their careers as they complete this rigorous course of study. The program design includes on-campus residences throughout the first two years of the program, as well as all of their qualifying exams. A third and final year is dedicated to research and dissertation writing with plenty of support from faculty. The program lasts 36 months from start to finish. Students can choose to concentrate on Marketing or Management. The faculty all hold doctorate degrees and are leading researchers and educators in the field of business.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
22. Saint Leo University – Saint Leo, FL
Saint Leo University is a liberal arts university that was established within the Roman Catholic tradition. They were founded in 1889 when a former chief justice of the Arizona Territory became the owner of 10,000 acres of land in the state of Florida and chose to create a Roman Catholic colony. This colony is now Saint Leo University. The university is connected to the Holy Name Monastery, as well as a Benedictine Convent. Saint Leo is among the five biggest Catholic post-secondaries in the nation with a total enrollment that spills just over 13,000. The US News and World Report named them one of the Best Regional Universities in the South, as well as one of the Best Value Universities.
Saint Leo University offers a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program that provides professional students an opportunity to engage research methodologies to critically engage with functional areas of business. Students will learn and practice creating a discourse that is relevant to the field, furthering the business industry with their intellectual and original contributions. Students will have a variety of support systems to create a dissertation that follows Saint Leo’s lead in ethical foundations and critical thinking. Students will have practice both teaching and consulting through experiential learning practices that will provide necessary real-world experiences. The entire program is 57 credit hours in length.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
23. Capella University – Minneapolis, MN
Capella University was established in 1993 and is owned by the Capella Education Company. Their original name was The Graduate School of America and was renamed in 1997 when they gained regional accreditation. They are known for online education delivery and offer over 142 degree programs to both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as 24 specially designed certificate programs. In total, they have over 1,600 classes to choose from. Their total enrollment is over 36,000 students from all over the world, who hail from all 50 states. Initially, Capella had an open enrollment policy that required students to only have a high school diploma or a GED to matriculate, but that changed in 2010 when they tightened up their admissions process.
Capella University offers a Doctorate of Business among their online PhD Programs. This DBA online is through Capella’s School of Business and Technology. Students may transfer up to 12 credits from their previous education. The course of study was designed to be flexible to accommodate professional students. Though the coursework is primarily delivered online, students will attend two residencies that will allow them to more deeply engage with faculty and peers. There are several specializations that allow students to focus their studies, including human resources management, global operations and supply chain management, accounting, business intelligence, information technology management, project management, leadership, and strategy and innovation.
Degree: DBA or PhD
Cost: $$$$$
24. Rollins College – Winter Park, FL
Rollins College was established in 1885 as a liberal arts college and is known for being the oldest institution for higher learning in the state of Florida. Since its inception, they have been nonsectarian and independent, as well as co-educational, all of which were rare for those times. Rollins’ campus sits on 80 acres of land in the town of Winter Park, Florida, which brushes the edge of Lake Virginia. They offer just over 30 undergraduate majors and many graduate programs. Total enrollment is near 2,700 students, with a faculty and staff that amounts to nearly 200 members. The US News and World Report ranked them number 2 among regional universities.
Rollins College offers an eDBA (Executive Doctor in Business Administration Program) that utilizes that cohort model. Students will have to be on campus only two days per month for the first two years, which enables those who do not live in Central Florida to successfully participate in the program without leaving their current jobs. The third year will be focused on dissertation work and the included research. Classes in the residency are delivered like seminars, meaning students should not expect lectures, but be prepared to engage in depth facilitated discussions based on course texts and prompts. Graduates will be well poised for organizational leadership.
Degree: eDBA
Cost: $$$$$
25. George Fox University – Newberg, OR
George Fox University was founded in 1885 as a school that centers disciplines of liberal arts and science. They are a private institution with a Christian foundation that is explored in all of their programmings. Their founders were Quakers. They are located on a 108-acre campus in the town of Newberg, Oregon. They are participants in the Richter Scholar program, which supports generally 20 students to conduct original research in their field. They are a full member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Students are required to sign a lifestyle agreement and regularly attend church and subsequent gatherings.
George Fox University offers a DBA online, among their online PhD programs. This Doctor of Business Administration Program gives students to option to study at their Oregon based campus. The program is unique in that it facilitates a Christ-centered approach to business education, that continually integrates Christian values and ethics. Though the format is primarily online, there is a minimal residency component, requiring students to be on campus twice per year. The face-to-face time enables students to connect with their cohorts and faculty members, ensuring they get the necessary support to be successful. Graduates of the program have just opened doors for positions in academia and business leadership, as well as consulting.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
26. Jacksonville University – Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville University was established in 1934, initially as a two-year college known as Jacksonville Junior College. In 1959, after much effort, they became a four-year degree granting institution. Their campus is located in Jacksonville, Florida. Currently, they offer more than 70 majors and minors for undergraduate students and close to 30 graduate programs. Their total enrollment is close to 4,200. A thousand of these are postgraduate students. They are divided into two distinct institutes and four colleges, which include The Davis College of Business and The College of Arts and Sciences, as well a Marine Science Research Institute. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as the AACSB.
Jacksonville University offers a Doctor of Business Administration through their Davis College of Business. Classes for this program are offered one weekend per month on campus for the first two years. The third and final year of the program will be focused on dissertation research and writing. Throughout that last year students will meet regularly with their dissertation committee, and work with guidance at their own pace. They are designed to support research and critical idea development. The program engages the cohort model, and cohorts are made up of 14-20 students. Many students choose a dissertation that can be applicable to their current job.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
27. Felician University – Lodi and Rutherford, New Jersey
Felician University was established in 1942 and was originally called the Immaculate Conception Normal School, as named by their founders the Felician Sisters. They are a private Catholic university, situated on two campuses in Lodi and Rutherford, New Jersey. Their campuses are close to three miles apart with a shuttle that regularly runs between the two. Both sites are just over 12 miles from New York City. They have close to 500 graduate students enrolled, and 2,000 undergraduate. On the Rutherford, Campus sits on the campus if the Iviswold Castle, which is a restored historic building of interest. That campus is also the home to a late night coffee shop and game room, giving students a place to safely gather at night.
Felician University is one of few schools that offer fully online PhD programs, including their Graduate Doctor of Business Administration Program. There is one brief residency requirement, otherwise, students will learn entirely from the distance learning platform. One of the benefits of the online format is that is entirely self-paced; students even decide when to take their tests and complete their assignments. Students have the opportunity to partner with a faculty member who will not only serve as their academic coach but also on their dissertation committee. Many of the skills the program promotes center leadership and communication building.
Degree: DBA
Cost: 2$$$$$
28. CBU Online – Riverside, CA
California Baptist University was established in 1950, originally as California Baptist College. They are connected to the Southern Baptist Convention. Their campus sits on 160 acres of land in Riverside, California. They are a private Christian school with a liberal arts foundation. The U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked them among the best regional universities. CBU is accredited by the American Association of Higher Education, as well as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and they received the maximum 10-year accreditation extension. They are known for their special architecture in the distinct style of Mission Revival.
Among the doctorate programs available through CBU Online, the online component to the California Baptist University, one of the best is the Doctorate of Business Administration. This program is comprised of 50 credit units, and including the dissertation, can be completed in a three year time period. They engage the cohort model which gives students access to peer support. There are a few residency requirements, but the majority of the coursework takes place in eight-week online intervals. Financial aid is available for students who qualify. The faculty are all experienced leaders in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Students will learn how to generate and conduct applied research with ethics at the core of their discourse.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
29. California Intercontinental University – Irvine, CA
California Intercontinental University is an online-based institution of higher learning that was founded in 1996. They didn’t, however, begin granting degrees until 2003. Their headquarters are located in Irvine, California. The course offerings at California Intercontinental include a myriad of degree programs, including Masters of Business Administration, and the sole doctorate program in Business Administration. They also have many bachelor degree programs as well as associate’s degree offerings. Bachelor students are given five years to complete their degrees, as many students are non-traditional adult learners, who may need to balance work alongside their educational endeavors. They are fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
California Intercontinental University offers a DBA online program that prepares professionals in the business sphere for leadership roles, as well as academic positions. The program supports students achieve a mastery of content knowledge a the niche of their choosing while integrating interdisciplinary knowledge. Students will gain a human resources framework that will enable them to develop and work with diverse teams. The program consists of 60 credit hours, 15 of which are electives. All course work must be complete prior to students initiating their dissertation. An oral dissertation defense and presentation will be what brings the course of study to completion.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
30. Wilmington University – New Castle, DE
Wilmington University was founded in 1968, as a non-profit private institution for higher education. Their original name was Wilmington College, though they obtained university status, and their current name, in 2007. Their main campus is located in the town of New Castle, Delaware, and they have six additional campuses scattered throughout the state. They also have secured a partner organization in Northeast Maryland, and several in New Jersey. Their offerings include over 100 degree and certificate granting programs that cross a vast array of disciplines. The current total enrollment at Wilmington U is close to 20,500 students. In 2009, they adopted a new mascot, the Wildcats.
Wilmington University offers a DBA Online program, as well as hybrid option, giving students access to in-person learning as well as online. The online Doctorate of Business Administration program is designed for self-directed professional students who are able to work independently. Students will be required to complete weekly readings, as well as additional assignments curated by the blackboard online learning platform. Discussion boards are a large part of group collaborations, as well as chat and email. Graduates of the program will be prepared to obtain C-level positions and work as business executives, while also having the tools and credentials for an academic teaching career.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
31. Eastern University – St. Davids, PA
Eastern University was established in 1925 as a Christian University, that was created to engage the American Baptist Churches with a theologically conservative seminary. They are located on a 114-acre campus in a town called St. Davids, Pennsylvania, just to the west of Philadelphia. St. Davids is considered part of the Philadelphia Main line. They are the home to five different colleges, as well as a college prep school called Eastern University Academy Charter School. Eastern U is also the parent institution to a junior school called Esperanza College. Their student body is interdenominational, as well as their faculty and administration.
Within the realm of online PhD programs, Eastern University offers a groundbreaking PhD in Organizational Leadership that is delivered online. The program delivery includes three short on campus residencies per year, at their main St. Davis campus. Their pedagogical underpinnings include a Christian foundation and explicit teaching of Jesus Christ. Many academic perspectives developed this course of study, including from the realms of business, education, and nonprofits, as well as the church. Students progress in the program in cohorts of close to 20 peers. Three years of coursework is required with a dissertation phase that directly follows. The program can be completed in four years, but they have to be finished in 10 years.
Degree: PhD in Organizational Leadership
Cost: $$$$$
32. Walden University – Minneapolis, MN
Walden University was established in 1970 by two teachers from New York who wanted to create a program for working adults that would grant doctoral degrees. Their early programming was designed for prospective school administrators. They are now primarily an online degree-granting institution, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. More than 75% of their funding comes from the government, which is more than any other postsecondary school in the nation. They have many accreditations including by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Walden is one entity of a global network that comprises 80 different universities.
Walden University offers an online Doctorate of Business Administration program that was designed for professionals in the sectors of business. Students drawn to the program are generally interested in moving into executive positions or teaching academically. This Doctor of Business Administration is delivered in an online format to allow students to necessary flexibility to continue working within their current careers. They provide students with all of the skills to be global change agents within companies and communities and providing experiential learning opportunities to explore solutions to problems faced in the real world. Students will engage with case studies and interactive media as part of their dynamic learning experience.
Degree: DBA or Phd Management
Cost: $$$$$
33. Franklin University – Columbus, OH
Franklin University was established in 1902 expressly to serve adult learners and their unique needs. They were initiated under the sponsorship of the YMCA School of Commerce and took on their current name in 1933. As of 1964, they divested from the YMCA on good terms. Their primary campus is in Columbus, Ohio, however, they have locations scattered throughout the Midwest. Franklin also offers a large number of online classes and programming. They have international locations as a result of partnerships with affiliated institutions. They are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. A special feature of Franklin University is their coaching program, which allows students to receive mentorship from appointed professionals.
Franklin University has a Doctorate of Business Administration online program that allows students to transfer up to 24 credit hours from a previous educational experience. Students can complete the program in three years, which includes a one year dissertation period. The flexibility of an online course of study makes the program possible for many professionals, as students can work at their own pace and as their schedule permits. One of the interesting features of the program is coursework that centers advanced verbal competencies, as well as the aptitude for interpersonal exchange. Students will gain the knowledge of key business inner workings, including technological innovations and political and economic influences.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
34. Sacred Heart University – Fairfield, CT
Sacred Heart University is a private Catholic university established in 1963, with a Roman Catholic foundation. They are located in Fairfield, Connecticut, on a beautiful campus over 300 acres in size. They were the first Catholic University in the nation that was not staffed wholly by clergy. They are the second largest Catholic University in the New England region, Boston College being the first. Sacred Heart is only 150 miles from Boston and 50 miles from New York City. They have four additional campuses in the state, as well as one in Ireland and one in Luxembourg, both of which undergraduates utilize for their study abroad education.
Sacred Heart University offers a great value online phd in finance in their Doctorate in Business Administration degree program. Students will be given the opportunity to explore their own unique interests as they build new frameworks that support career advancement. Graduates will have the foundation to gain leadership positions in financial institutions, as well as government agencies and consulting firms, or enter academic. Students will conduct original research, while growing global perspectives on financial institutions and markets. The schedule of the program was designed with professional adults in mind. Most of the coursework is online, though there are residency opportunities that students are required to attend.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
35. Liberty University – Lynchburg, VA
Liberty University online offers several degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. Of the PhD programs, LU Online offers, twelve are specializations for Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA online) degree. These options mean that students can tailor their degree to meet their needs exactly. Those focus areas include:
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Leadership
- Accounting
- Healthcare Management
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- International Business
- Project Management
- Strategic Movement
- Supply Chain Management and Logistics
- Non-Profit Leadership and Management
The Doctorate in Business Administration opens so many doors for graduates. LU DBA students come from executive level positions in the public or private sector, as well as academic faculty positions at colleges and universities. This program is fully accredited by SACSCOC, and students have the opportunity to transfer up to 15 credits from their previous education.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
36. Concordia University – Chicago, IL
Concordia University-Chicago is a private liberal arts school actively affiliated with the Lutheran Church. When they first opened their doors, they were designed to provide education to students studying to be parochial teachers. Originally, they had the name Addison Teachers Seminary and underwent many name changes before adopting their current title. They are a member of the Concordia University System. Their campus is on 40 acres in a suburb of Chicago called River Forest, Illinois. They have five distinct colleges, each with its own academic dean. They also offer many online programs, many of which employ a cohort learning model.
Concordia University-Chicago offers a DBA Online Program that was designed for professional students in who are interested in elevating their career potential and invest in personal growth. Students will learn to develop research that is application oriented, while also growing skills related to business knowledge, applied research, and leadership. There are two specializations that students can choose from including Leadership and Innovation and Innovation in Health Care. The program can be completed in three years time and includes 60 credit hours. Online students are required to attend three residencies throughout the course of the program. Students will research and write a dissertation following completion of coursework.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
37. Hampton University – Hampton, VA
Hampton University is a private research university established in 1868. The original founders were a multiracial team of leaders who were connected to the American Missionary Association. Hampton is a Historically Black University that was created right after the American Civil War as a gesture to education freed men. From 1878 to 1923, they offered a variety of programs specifically for Native American Students. Their 314-acre campus is located in Hampton, Virginia, and is the home to many buildings that make it a National Historic Landmark District. In 1868 the Hampton Museum was established, and it is now the oldest African American Museum in the country. Within Hampton University are 16 research centers.
Hampton University has an online school called Hampton U Online that offers online PhD programs, including the PhD in Business Administration. This course of study is designed to accommodate business professionals who are searching for the next step in their careers. Graduates may be interested in executive status in the business world, in either the public or private sectors, or an opportunity for academic faculty positions, as well as administrative opportunities. Though the majority of the program will be online, students will be required to attend two extended summer residencies for four weeks each. All students are eligible to participate in the program, though those with a master’s degree are preferred.
Degree: Ph.D. in Business Administration
Cost: $$$$$
38. University of the Cumberlands – Williamsburg, KY
The University of the Cumberlands was established in 1889 with the original name of Cumberland College. They are a religious university with a connection to the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and subsequently, connected to the Southern Baptist Convention. Their rural campus is located on the rolling hills of Williamsburg, Kentucky. They also have a Northern, Kentucky campus in the town of Florence, which offers students more clinical rotations and opportunities to provide mental health care. The University of the Cumberlands is also the home of the School of Lifelong Learning. Institutionally, are divided into four distinct schools and colleges. They are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of the Cumberlands offers several online PhD Programs including their innovative PhD in Leadership Studies. Students will gain research techniques along with effective strategies for leadership and innovation. They will also be well-versed in administrative and teaching methods, for those who which to pursue tenure-track teaching positions. Students will learn how to create effective change in a variety of academic settings. Coursework crosses the disciplines of Business, Health Sciences, Criminal Justice, History, English, Information Security Systems, among many other topics. Students will learn how to plug into community organizations as advanced practitioners. This degree program was created with flexibility in mind, specifically to cater to adult learners with other professional and personal commitments.
Degree: PhD
Cost: $$$$$
39. City University of Seattle – Seattle, WA
The City University of Seattle is a private school with non-profit status. They were founded in 1973 and were then named City College. They did then and still do have an orientation towards adult learners. They are connected to a larger National University System that offers degree-granting education at sites all over the world, as well as online. Some locations that are home to their sites include Mexico, Europe, Canada, and China. Their headquarters, however, is located in Seattle, Washington, in the Belltown neighborhood. They are regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Since their beginning, they have graduated over 50,000 students from around the world.
The City University of Seattle offers a Doctorate of Business Administration online program that is geared towards professionals who are interested in moving their career to the next level. Students will learn best business practices, critical thinking, and leadership skills. They will also be encouraged to develop a methodology in a tailored research topic of their choice. Incoming students will be allowed to transfer four graduate-level courses from another institution, and apply it to their credit hour completion requirement. The program is comprised of 91 total credit hours and can be completed in 3-4 years time. The online format gives students access to professors and mentorship an interactive learning module for lectures and discussions, as well as live chat.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
40. Columbia Southern University – Orange Beach, AL
Columbia Southern University is a southern-based university that focuses on distance learning. They were founded in 1993, and their headquarters are in Orange Beach, Alabama. They started slowly with degree offerings, the first being in Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health. They are fully accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, which is recognized by the Council for Council for Higher Education Accreditation, as well as the US Department of Education. Institutionally, they are made up of three colleges and offers 26 different degree programs including associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral. They have over 1,000 faculty members and staff and over 20,000 students enrolled at a given time.
Columbia Southern University offers a Doctorate of Business Administration Online that trains in contemporary leadership skills and engages a combination of research and theory. Students will learn business frameworks that can be applied to a variety of career paths, including academia and the public and private business sectors. Students are required to complete 61 credit hours and conduct original research. Their final year will consist of writing a dissertation to be defended prior to achieving a degree. Dissertation defense can be achieved through the online platforms that the coursework utilizes. The online program uses a “term learning” style that allows students the flexibility to turn in assignments at their own pace, while also sticking to completion dates and course registration.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
41. LIGS University – Honolulu, HI
LIGS University is driven to provide high quality and accessible education that is both affordable and applicable to professional paths. This is an interactive and online institution that enables students from all over the world to participate in their programming. LIGS is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Their faculty lives and world all over the world. They offer scholarships annually to students who live in the state of Hawai’i. LIGS is unique in everything they do, including the ways they have outlined student learning objectives, which include: Diversity and global perspective, critical thinking and reasoning, effective communication, information competency, ethical behavior and integrity, and mastery of knowledge.
LIGS University offers unique online PhD programs including an interactive PhD that has a Project Management specialty. This program allows students to engage with their interests on a deeper level and encourages combining studies with family, work, and community. The schedule is based on the students’ needs and is adjusted accordingly. Students set their own pace, as well as their own timelines. Not only is the format unique, but so is the pay structure. Students can make payment plans, and divide tuition payments into manageable installments. The entire program is delivered online, though students are given access to a personal study counselor. Upon graduation students still have access to the LIGS community, as well as student portals, and can even attend webinars.
Degree: Interactive Online PhD w/ PM specialization
Cost: $$$$$
42. California Southern University – Costa Mesa, CA
California Southern University that first opened their doors in 1978. They are a private institution of higher learning with their programming entirely online. Their headquarters are in Costa Mesa, California. Originally, they were named the Southern California University for Professional Studies, and they were based in Anaheim, California. In the 1990’s they began offering programming that was delivered through distance learning, and they moved into providing online education exclusively based on the original model. They have few degree offerings including 10 bachelor’s and certificates programs, though the most popular is the master’s degree programs and their two distinct doctorate degree offerings.
California Southern University School of Business offers a Doctorate of Business Administration online program geared towards professionals who have many years’ experience in the world of business. The program requires completion of 60 credit hours and they except the maximum amount of transferable credits from prior educational endeavors. The program can be completed in four years time if completed at full-time status. California Southern University School of Business is fully accredited by ACBSP, as well as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Through their online learning portal, students can access everything they need to be successful in the program, including all coursework and cloud-based productivity tools. Students will connect with faculty members with video conferencing or telephone.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
43. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte, Miami, Denver, Providence
Johnson & Wales University was established in 1914. They are a private university with three campuses, other than the flagship, which is located in Providence, Rhode Island. The other three campuses are in Charlotte, North Carolina, Miami, Florida, and Denver, Colorado. They have an extensive online education program called Johnson & Wales University Online, with an extensive degree and course offerings. They are fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. JWU has proudly graduated over 100,000 alumni worldwide, hailing from over 150 countries. They value experiential learning and weave it into all aspects of learning. They go so far as to partner with companies to offer students opportunities in industry-specific learning labs.
Johnson & Wales University Online offers a Doctorate of Business Administration online program that was designed to engage many sectors including academia, military, nonprofits, government, business, healthcare, and government, in order to give students the skills to address business challenges ethically. Students will gain insight into creative interventions for common business problems. Graduates of the program will be well poised for executive-level employment opportunities, as well as among other disciplines that utilize leadership strategies. Some students achieve their Doctor of Business Management degree in order to enter academia in a faculty level position. The fully online program requires no residencies and is built around flexibility.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
44. Trident University – Cypress, CA
Trident University was established in 1998, and provides entirely online postsecondary education. Their headquarters are located in Cypress, California. They offer bachelor’s degrees, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as diploma programs and professional certificates. They largely cater to military personnel and their families. In fact, 75 percent of their student body in 2010 were in the military. There are over 350 faculty members at Trident, most of which are part-time. They are committed to maintaining a 17:1 student to faculty ratio as well as a flexible and very affordable platform for students. The precursor to the current online learning format, the Robust Learning Model (RLM) was considered to be the best distance learning style of its time in the middle 1990s.
Trident University offers a Doctorate of Business Administration Online that was designed for business professionals who are interested in advancing their career to the next level. There are benefits of attending a fully online university, as therein enhanced flexibility with no residency requirements. The programming was designed for adult students who have extensive professional experience, ensuring that the coursework is relevant and accommodates their lifestyles. Students will learn applied research skills that will positively impact their decision-making strategies. The program is committed to developing leaders who bring innovation into the workforce and can create positive change in society at large.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
45. William Howard Taft University – Denver, CO
William Howard Taft University is a private-public institution of higher learning. They have been a leader in distance and online education delivery and now exist entirely online. Their headquarters are located in Denver, Colorado. The Taft University System is made up of William Howard Taft University, along with the Taft Law School. Since 2003, they have been accredited by the Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council. One of their interesting offerings is their online bachelor’s in business administration completion program. They have many business-related course and degree offerings. They are a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
William Howard Taft University has a practical Doctorate of Business Administration online program that features independent study and flexibility. This doctor of Business Administration Program is entirely online with no required residencies. Their programmatic focus is based on U.S. business practices, but students in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia are invited to participate. The learning objectives include management, leadership, and administrative competencies. All of the faculty are accomplished in their field, both practically and academically. Students can complete all of the coursework and their dissertation defense in as little as 27 months, however, they have up to seven years to complete the program.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
46. Westcliff University – Irvine, CA
Westcliff University was established in 1993, with the express desire to provide quality education for students interested in two very specific fields. When they opened that year, students began programs in the College of Business and the College of Education. Westcliff has stayed true to these initial focus areas, and their current curriculum consists of graduate and undergraduate degree programs in business and education as well as other certificate programs. Westcliff prepares students for both theoretical as well as practical elements required to enter the job market upon graduation. They offer students, who may also be working full-time, opportunities to prepare for innovative online and hybrid distance education courses that are affordable and convenient.
Westcliff University offers a Doctor of Business Administration Program that is designed for students who already possess a master’s degree and a significant amount of professional experience. This program supports students to take the next step in their careers while gaining new skills that can help transform organizations and make them good candidates for academic faculty positions. Social responsibility and contemporary issues such as globalization can be deeply explored within the students’ research agenda, and provide a foundation for understanding the organizational transformation. Students will also gain an understanding of business analysis and effective according to strategies. The program can be completed in the online or hybrid format.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
47. Argosy University – Orange, CA
Argosy University has a unique history, as it was formed as the result of a merger of three separate academic institutions—the Medical Institute of Minnesota, the American Schools of Professional Psychology, the University of Sarasota. In 2001, the new blended school brings together the best of all three institutions, each of which has a long history of providing programming for adult learners, and other nontraditional students. Argosy now supports one of the largest graduate student communities in the nation. The university’s name comes from the noun argosy, which means a rich supply or rich bounty. Bringing students everything they need is the goal, and students’ hard work in their programs completes the circle.
Argosy University offers a Doctor in Business Administration program that is geared towards students who are professionals in the business sector and are seeking an education that can usher in the next stage in their career. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Students will have access to faculty from diverse backgrounds with a variety of specialties. A research project in the culmination of the program with the mentorship from a team of faculty and practitioners. The skill set that students will walk away with can bring students to leadership and executive roles in the business sector or faculty positions within the academic environment.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
48. Atlantis University – Miami, FL
Training and enabling students to manage industry and social challenges with creativity, critical analysis responsibility, and commitment. Their headquarters is located in Miami, Florida, but offer coursework on campus, online, during the day, at night, and on the weekends. At AU, the scheduling is intentionally flexible to ensure maximum student success.
Atlantis University offers an interesting Doctor of Business Administration program that provides a lot of one-on-one support for students. A primary learning objective in learning how to frame and justify the need for restructuring and change among organizations. Students will engage with the program after having professional business experience and a desire to grow towards an executive leadership position in the business sector, or walk the path of academia. Students will also gain high-quality research skills, as a method towards facilitating organizational growth. A master’s degree is not required for admission; students simply need to have a bachelor’s degree under their belt and a vision to qualify.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
49. Anaheim University – Anaheim, CA
Anaheim University is a fully online institution that was founded in 1996. They are accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and are committed to what they call an online face-to-face learning environment. This innovative approach provides opportunities for students around the world to make professional contact with renowned experts in their fields, both furthering their working knowledge as well as advancing their skills in their respective fields. Anaheim University’s online programs do not sacrifice interpersonal communication to offer flexibility and accessibility. Their commitment to accessibility extends to ensuring that tuition remains low and that students may pay course by course. The result is that many students leave their program without any debt or student loans.
Anaheim University offers a Doctorate of Business Administration online program that focuses on International Business. The course of study requires 6 foundational classes, as well as four classes related to the students chosen a concentration, plus two elective courses, and the final dissertation. The total credit hours are 60. Students will learn via live webcam for seminars with leaders in the field from all over the world. One of the perks of this program is the flexibility that enables students to work full time while completing the program in a three year period. Many graduates achieve executive positions at multinational organizations upon graduation.
Degree: DBA
Cost: $$$$$
50. Northcentral University – San Diego, CA
Northcentral University, headquartered in San Diego, California, was founded in 1996 as a 100% online school with a unique one-to-one learning model. They offer more than 200 program focuses on 37 different degree and certificate programs. Because they are regionally accredited, they can offer high-quality programming to students in any country on the map. Students will benefit from 100% doctoral faculty, a feat few universities make happen, but is a priority for Northcentral. With the one to one learning model, students are able to develop direct academic relationships with faculty in each of their courses. The number one commitment that faculty has is toward student success.
Northcentral University offers a Doctorate of Business Administration online program, as well as a PhD in Business Administration. These both act a training for executive leadership development for students already working in the professional sphere. Students will learn how to engage creative and ethical solutions to business challenges. These programs were designed with flexibility in mind. The online format includes weekly course starts that can be worked around the students’ schedule. The program includes the opportunity to specialize from within 18 distinct professional specializations. The coursework is comprised of 54 credit hours that can be completed in 39 months. One of the interesting features of the program is that students can enter the program at any time, as there are weekly start dates.
Degree: DBA and PhD
Cost: $$$$$