Comparing Florida Online DBA Programs
Explore Florida’s top DBA programs with online learning options. Read how they work, how much they cost, and the differences between a DBA and PhD. Take your first steps toward an advanced degree in business administration.
School Spotlights: Online DBA Programs in Florida
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) represents the highest level of business management education. As the MBA has become so common, the DBA has risen substantially in value in the employment marketplace.
We’ve spotlighted three online doctor of business administration programs in Florida to give you an idea of what you may find during your program search. Factors to consider include academic quality, affordability (including financial aid availability), study flexibility and convenience, and access to useful student support services.
Saint Leo University
The Doctorate in Business Administration at Saint Leo University, a private Catholic-affiliated school located just north of Tampa, is a prime example of an online DBA in Florida that combines quality academics with affordability and study convenience.
This program runs for 57 credit hours, including 33 credits of core coursework, six teaching or consulting track credits, and a three-credit doctoral written comprehensive exam. The remaining 15 credits focus on the research, writing, and defense of a doctoral dissertation.
Students who do not complete all dissertation milestones in the minimum time allotted must remain enrolled continuously (taking on additional credits and costs) until completion. Most students complete all degree requirements in three to four years.
St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens is notable for offering three specialization tracks to DBA students, including two that are particularly distinctive.
Its DBA in Management is designed for professionals seeking top-tier positions in managing products, people, and policies. Aspiring information security officers can gain the knowledge and skills needed for that position through the DBA in Cyber Security Management. And, St. Thomas offers a specialized DBA in Sports Administration for potential managers and leaders in the sports industry and higher education sports programs.
Also notable are the many program options. For example, all DBA courses are fully online, fully on-campus, or in a hybrid format. All students additionally choose among three culminating activities: traditional dissertation, action research, or article dissertation (authoring three journal articles).
University of South Florida
Mid-career professionals looking for a quality, accredited online DBA in Florida from a public university will want to consider this university’s Doctor of Business Administration program. Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the cohort-based curriculum takes three years, with research-focused courses during the first two years and issue-based and dissertation courses in year three.
Classes are scheduled on alternating Saturdays and can be attended in person on USF’s campus in Tampa (making this a hybrid program) or fully online via livestream. Additionally, students attend campus at the beginning of their programs for a three-day research workshop and once more later in their programs for a three-day session to meet with dissertation committee members.
Differences Between a DBA and a PhD in Business
As you look into research-based doctoral options, two common acronyms will likely pop up: DBA and PhD While similar, the far more common Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) has minor differences from a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), as demonstrated in the table below.
| DBA | PhD in Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Application of current business administration theory and research to business practice | Advancement of business administration theory, research, and scholarship |
| Student Type | Mid-career | Early- to mid-career |
| Career Goals | Applied practice roles in corporate administration and management and as independent consultants | Careers in advanced theoretical research and postsecondary academics |
| Funding | Typically, scholarships, grants, and assistantships, but may also include employer or industry funding | Typically, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and research assistantships |
| Prerequisites | MBA preferred, but some programs accept applicants with master’s degrees in other disciplines | Most programs require an MBA, but some may accept students with a master’s in another discipline |
| Length | Three to four years | Four to seven years |
| Capstone | Dissertation, published articles, or applied research project | Dissertation |
Expert Insight
As you look through programs, determine how much structure is involved. Some programs are flexible, while others expect set meeting times, residencies, or group work. That matters a lot if you’re balancing a full-time job. Be sure to look at the pages dedicated specifically to the degree you’re seeking, not just the school’s general “online learning” site.
Online DBA Specializations in Florida
Focusing studies on a specific area or issue within the larger business field is part and parcel of all DBA programs and their students. This is accomplished primarily through students’ topic choice for their culminating activity (an academic dissertation, in most cases).
However, many online DBA programs in Florida offer their students distinct specialization or concentration options. Here are five such specializations from one or more online Florida DBA programs.
Accounting and Finance
The accounting and finance specialization prepares graduates for top leadership roles as managers, analysts, CFOs, and other finance-related senior executive positions at major corporations. Curriculum topics include advanced tax, financial performance analysis, financial modeling, financial decision-making, investments, and managerial performance.
Global Business
Professionals looking to expand their reach internationally will want to consider the global business specialization. Core coursework focuses on advanced knowledge in various business management topics (finance, supply chain, strategy) approached from a global perspective. Other topics include cross-cultural management and negotiations and the current evolution of international business.
Healthcare Leadership
Healthcare leadership DBA graduates are often employed in top-tier roles with major health services and healthcare insurance companies as hospital administrators, healthcare consultants, corporate directors, and other senior executive positions. Course topics for this specialization include healthcare quality and delivery, policy and organization, law and regulation, and information technology and systems.
Hospitality
This is a specialization that you won’t see too often, but it makes perfect sense in a state where tourism plays a crucial role in its economy. The hospitality specialization prepares graduates for top leadership roles in the tourism and hospitality industry. Course topics include hospitality, higher education teaching and training, and contemporary issues in hospitality and tourism management.
Management
The most popular specialization available from Florida online DBA programs is management. This is no surprise since the purpose of the management specialization is to prepare students for top leadership roles in the full range of industries and administrative occupations. Typical course topics include academic writing, economic and data analysis, marketing, human resource management, organizational structure, and legal and ethical issues in the business environment.
Expert Insight
Try to talk to current students or alumni before applying. Programs can look similar online, but the day-to-day experience (workload, responsiveness of advisors, cohort quality) can vary a lot. A quick conversation can reveal things like how long dissertations really take and how supportive the faculty are.
How Much a Florida Online DBA Program Costs
Before committing to any degree program, it’s important to understand the full cost of earning your online DBA in Florida. Looking beyond tuition alone can help you create a realistic budget and avoid unexpected expenses during your studies. As you compare programs, focus on three key financial considerations:
- Total Program Tuition – Review the full estimated tuition cost rather than the per-credit rate alone, since total credits required can vary by program.
- Financial Aid Opportunities – Scholarships, grants, employer tuition reimbursement, assistantships, and student loans can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
- Indirect Costs and Lost Income – Consider additional expenses such as textbooks, technology fees, transportation, internet access, and any reduced work hours or lost wages while completing your degree.
The table below highlights current tuition rates for three online Doctor of Business Administration programs in Florida. Combined with the program spotlights above, these figures can help you estimate what you may pay for your DBA education.
Keep in mind that tuition is only one part of the total investment. Your final cost may also include university fees, books and course materials, software, travel expenses, and computer equipment. Fortunately, many students offset these costs through financial aid and employer-sponsored education benefits, making an online DBA more affordable than they initially expected.
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Leo University | Doctorate in Business Administration | 57 | $55,005 |
| University of South Florida | Doctor of Business Administration | 72 | $90,000 |
Financial Aid for Florida DBA Majors
If you’re like most DBA students, you’ll need help to finance your graduate education. Fortunately, a range of financial aid resources are available to qualifying Florida online DBA students. Resources include scholarships and grants, assistantships and fellowships, work-study programs, employer tuition reimbursement programs, VA benefits for military vets, and the student loans.
Finding the specific resources for which you’re eligible will require some time and effort, so you’d be wise to get going on your funding search ASAP. But you don’t have to go it alone. Start by contacting the financial aid offices at the schools you’re considering for their DBA programs. You’ll also want to visit the State of Florida’s Office of Student Financial Assistance for information on state-sponsored funding opportunities.
What Can DBA Graduates Earn in Florida?
A DBA in Florida positions you for the highest levels of executive leadership across the state’s diverse industries — from financial services and healthcare to technology, manufacturing, and logistics. Graduates serve as chief executives, senior consultants, and business school faculty — bringing evidence-based management practice and original research to complex organizational challenges in one of the country’s major business markets. Florida’s strong corporate presence makes it a competitive and rewarding environment for doctoral-level business leaders.
Chief executives in Florida earn competitive compensation reflecting the state’s economic scale and industry mix, with salaries that vary significantly by sector, company size, and metropolitan area.
Use the salary table to see what chief executives earn in Florida, and benchmark DBA-level leadership compensation across the state’s key markets.
Chief Executives
| Area | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $202,190 | $326,540 | $427,110 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $186,440 | $245,120 | $377,320 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $164,410 | $256,040 | $448,790 |
| Gainesville, FL | $238,200 | $377,580 | $640,040 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $129,850 | $236,380 | $359,090 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $225,410 | $402,170 | $557,700 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $179,360 | $317,330 | $480,280 |
| Ocala, FL | $131,440 | $238,080 | $363,490 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $175,070 | $321,280 | $442,080 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $125,460 | $233,340 | $354,750 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $157,500 | $301,340 | $488,310 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $127,100 | $249,460 | $327,420 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $151,230 | $277,800 | $373,420 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $146,670 | $255,790 | $409,800 |
| Sebring, FL | $100,430 | $224,590 | $380,020 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $138,560 | $271,580 | $315,500 |
Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes111011.htm
Showing 1 – 10 of 16 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
FAQs About Online DBA Programs in Florida
Do online DBA programs cost more than in-person DBA programs in Florida?
Most Florida schools today charge the same tuition rates for their online and campus-based options. You’ll also find that most programs have done away with charging a higher rate for out-of-state residents, instead offering the state resident rate to all online students. There are exceptions, so be sure to speak with an admissions representative if you have any questions.
Notwithstanding direct program costs, most students will likely find that online programs offer some cost advantage primarily due to transportation cost savings for traveling to and from campus to attend classes.
How long does it take to earn a DBA degree online?
While some DBA programs boast one-year program lengths, most students pursuing their online Doctor of Business Administration in Florida will complete their degree requirements in three to four years of part-time study.
Completion times vary from program to program and are impacted by the individual student’s chosen pace for completing the culminating activity.
Do I need to complete a dissertation for my Florida online DBA program?
Not necessarily. DBA programs without a dissertation requirement exist. However, most students pursuing an online DBA in Florida will complete a research-based dissertation as their program’s culminating activity.
Helpful Resources for Florida DBA Students
- Beta Gamma Sigma
This academic honor society recognizes top-performing business students worldwide, including doctoral students who have successfully defended their dissertations at AACSB-accredited business schools. BGS chapters can be found on college and university campuses throughout Florida. - Florida Business Professionals Association
The Florida BPA bills itself as the state’s leading Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students pursuing careers in business management and other business-related fields. Visitors to the site can access various resources, including those specifically for business students. - Florida Chamber of Commerce
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is the preeminent professional association representing and advocating for business attraction, development, and growth in the state. - Florida United Business Association (FUBA)
A trade association representing small businesses throughout the state, FUBA offers a wealth of resources on its website that are particularly helpful to DBA-graduate entrepreneurs interested in working as independent consultants or starting their own businesses. - SelectFlorida
The official international trade and investment promotion agency of the state, SelectFlorida operates as a collaborative partnership between the state government and private sectors to promote Florida’s economic growth.
