Michigan's First-Rate Online Doctor of Business Administration Programs
For a convenient, flexible way to earn a business doctorate in the Wolverine State, consider an online DBA in Michigan. Learn about high-quality DBA programs, including cost, time to completion, and more, and see if one is right for you.
Spotlights On Online DBA Programs in Michigan
If you want to get an online Doctor of Business Administration in Michigan, you need to find an online DBA program that suits your needs. For instance, you might be looking for a specific type of schedule or academic specialization. To help you get started in your research, below are a few high-quality, accredited programs in Michigan for you to consider:
The University of Michigan–Flint is a satellite campus of Michigan’s state flagship university. They specialize in flexible programs for commuter and non-traditional students and offer a wide variety of online classes.
This includes their fully online DBA, which is typically completed over the course of three years (nine total semesters). Your first year will be dedicated to foundational coursework in theory and methodology. Next, you’ll dive into strategy and advanced quantitative methods. Finally, your third year will be devoted to completing your doctoral dissertation.
Applicants must have at least 10 years of business experience, five of which must be in a managerial or other high-level position, plus a master’s degree from an accredited institution. If you don’t have a master’s, you need exceptional professional experience, like being the CEO of a major corporation. Applications are available online.
Baker College is a private college with a fully online DBA program. This 60-credit path has an average completion time of three and a half years, though flexible study options are available.
Once enrolled, you’ll complete coursework, choose an area of specialization, attend at least one professional conference, and develop a research proposal in the lead-up to your “qualifying paper.” This paper needs to be suitable for publication and must be completed before you can start working on your dissertation.
The college also offers a Doctor of Business Administration – All But Dissertation (DBA-ABD) track for those who have already completed 32+ DBA credit hours at an accredited institution but didn’t write and defend a dissertation. You may spend one or more years completing 28 credit hours focused on your dissertation in this track.
Walsh College is a century-old private business college based in Troy. They offer a doctorate in business administration that’s structured to be completed primarily online, with optional on-campus engagement opportunities.
The 60-credit degree is designed for working professionals and is offered exclusively part-time. You have a maximum of seven years (84 months) to finish the program.
If you choose to enroll in this program, you’ll take core courses and electives, plus complete a mandatory three-credit virtual doctoral residency and dissertation. You can focus your studies on accounting, artificial intelligence and machine learning leadership, or general business. Students need a cumulative grade average of “B” or better in the program to graduate.
Do You Need a DBA or PhD in Business?
A DBA isn’t the only type of doctorate you can get in business administration, as many schools offer PhDs in business administration. While both are highly advanced, terminal business degrees, students’ career goals determine which type of business administration doctorate they need. Below are typical differences between a DBA and a PhD in business administration.
| DBA | PhD in Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To prepare students for careers as upper-level business leaders and executives | To prepare students to conduct academic research at universities or similar institutions |
| Student Type | Experienced business professionals | Recent master’s graduates |
| Career Goals | Upper-level management and/or consultancy | Academia or research |
| Funding | Typically funded by the student | Typically funded by the school via research and/or teaching assistantships |
| Prerequisites | Master’s degree; 5-10 years of work experience | Master’s degree in a relevant field |
| Length | 2-3 Years | 5-6 Years |
| Capstone | Dissertation or research project | Dissertation |
Online DBA Specializations in Michigan
Before you begin your online Doctorate in Business Administration in Michigan, take a moment to consider potential specializations within the major. Here are a few popular options:
Accounting
Accounting is a crucial aspect of any business or organization, whether in the public or private sector. If you choose to specialize in accounting for your DBA, expect a course schedule heavy on quantitative subjects and legal aspects of upper-level accounting.
Marketing
Marketing is one of the most creative roles in a business and is critical for connecting your company with the right potential customers. A DBA with a marketing specialty can help position you to take on a leadership role in your company’s marketing team or even manage a marketing department.
Project Management
Project management is a big-picture organizational role within a company. This DBA specialty may lead you to a role overseeing your company or organization’s projects from beginning to end, making sure that communication between different teams remains smooth.
Leadership
If you’re considering going out for an executive or founder/owner role after graduating from your DBA, you might want to consider specializing in leadership. This management-focused specialization also attracts students with entrepreneurial inclinations.
Human Resource Management
An organization is only as good as its people. If you choose to specialize in human resource management, expect not only to oversee recruitment and retention but also develop long-term staffing strategies, handle conflict resolution, and more.
Costs of Online DBA in Michigan
Before you begin classes, it’s a good idea to know exactly how much your degree will cost and have a plan in place for how to pay for it. This can include aid from your school, personal savings, loans, scholarships, and more.
It can be wise to comparison shop, as not all online DBAs in Michigan cost the same. To get an idea of how much your degree may run, take a look below at our previously highlighted schools’ tuition rates:
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan–Flint | Online Doctor of Business Administration | 49 | $80,000 |
| Baker College | Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) | 60 | $45,000 |
| Walsh College | Doctor of Business Administration | 60 | $62,280 |
Expert Insight
Compare total cost against program structure. Tuition can range widely (roughly $45K to $80K), but the level of faculty interaction, research support, and flexibility can differ just as much. The “best” option isn’t always the cheapest. It’s the one you’re most likely to finish with the most ideal academic fit.
Financial Aid for Michigan DBA Majors
You may be planning to pay for your online doctorate in business administration in Michigan through personal savings, student loans, or employer assistance (if your company offers it). However, you should look into all sorts of funding opportunities. You may be able to supplement or even replace your current plan with a new type of funding. This may include financial aid from your school, state scholarships, or private scholarships and grants.
Remember to look into niche scholarships you may qualify for. These often have fewer applicants, which could make you more likely to get some free money.
DBA Career Salary Outlook in Michigan
A DBA in Michigan 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. Michigan’s strong corporate presence makes it a competitive and rewarding environment for doctoral-level business leaders.
Chief executives in Michigan 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 Michigan, and benchmark DBA-level leadership compensation across the state’s key markets.
Chief Executives
| Area | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $335,900 | $471,910 | $547,090 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $211,560 | $374,410 | $440,170 |
| Bay City, MI | $247,680 | $329,640 | $458,490 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $304,110 | $450,450 | $604,220 |
| Flint, MI | $197,790 | $339,410 | $478,460 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $248,660 | $405,320 | $518,790 |
| Jackson, MI | $298,440 | $526,920 | $616,670 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $285,300 | $327,880 | $464,630 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $190,650 | $313,630 | $505,980 |
| Michigan | $255,560 | $405,120 | $547,090 |
| Midland, MI | $587,950 | $756,200 | $756,200 |
| Monroe, MI | $244,760 | $463,960 | $463,960 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $177,090 | $225,260 | $384,010 |
| Niles, MI | $210,620 | $306,050 | $704,540 |
| Saginaw, MI | $200,190 | $329,260 | $508,940 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $261,280 | $342,390 | $437,340 |
| Traverse City, MI | $248,510 | $400,060 | $431,160 |
Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes111011.htm
Showing 1 – 10 of 17 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
FAQs About Online DBA Programs in Michigan
Are online DBA programs less expensive than in-person programs?
Online DBA tuition is generally similar or identical to that of on-campus schooling. However, you may find that you’re already saving money by not needing to commute to and from campus, and you’re less likely to need to quit your day job while you study. If cost is a major concern, take the time to research a lot of online DBA programs in Michigan to find the most affordable option.
How long does it take to earn a DBA online?
Generally speaking, online DBAs take approximately three years of full-time study to complete. However, those studying part-time may take longer, while accelerated DBAs allow you to finish in as little as one to two years. If you’ve already completed DBA coursework but haven’t defended your dissertation, keep an eye out for DBA-ABD programs that allow you to just do that last part.
Is a dissertation required to earn my online DBA in Michigan?
Online and in-person DBA programs almost always require a final project or dissertation to graduate. However, if you don’t want to complete a dissertation, some schools offer a no-dissertation option, allowing you to complete a project or work experience instead.
Expert Insight
Look carefully at what “research” entails for each DBA program in Michigan. Some expect publishable work or conference participation before you even begin your dissertation. That’s a big step up in rigor, and it can be a great opportunity if you’re prepared for it, but a surprise if you’re not.
Helpful Resources for Michigan DBA Students
- Business Leaders for Michigan
Business Leaders for Michigan is a Lansing-based professional organization with the goal of making Michigan a Top 10 state for business in the United States. - MichBusiness
MichBusiness is a membership association for business leaders in the state, offering networking events, leadership training, annual conferences, and more. - Michigan BPA
The Michigan Business Professionals of America (BPA) is the state’s chapter of a national association of career and technical schools and students pursuing business education. It aims to supplement students’ learning through a variety of programs. - Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is an organization that markets the state as a place to do business and fosters business development across the state. - Small Business Association of Michigan
The Small Business Association of Michigan, or SBAM, is a membership organization for Michigan small businesses that helps provide employee and employer benefits.
