Most Affordable Online DBA Programs: Top Low-Cost Options

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from California Miramar University has several characteristics that make it a very flexible option for business professionals. Most of the curriculum is available online, with some courses available 100% online and others offered in a hybrid format. This makes it possible for students to continue working while enrolled. There are also four concentrations to choose from: Marketing, Finance, International Business Administration, and Strategy Management. All require 61 credits to complete, which includes 30 credits for core business classes and 13 dissertation preparation credits. Most incoming students will already have a master's degree in business, although it's not a requirement. Those lacking this degree may need to take one or more prerequisites in marketing, finance, operations management, and accounting.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Business Administration

• Credits: 61
• Length: Varies
• Cost: $707/credit
• Mode: Partially online
• Accreditation: DEAC

The University of West Alabama offers a first-in-the-nation Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree in Rural Business. This program is well-suited for business, government, or academic professionals who want additional expertise in business concepts and issues commonly encountered by rural businesses. The DBA in Rural Business also offers further opportunities for specialization, with two tracks -- Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Rural and Transformational Leadership. Regardless of which pathway students choose, they will be prepared for future careers as C-suite executives or in academia, government, or economic development. To make accomplishing these professional goals as achievable as possible, the program can be completed fully online with a self-paced curriculum that students can finish in as little as 36 months.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Business Administration in Rural Business

• Credits: 60-66
• Length: 3-7 years
• Cost: $630/credit
• Mode: 100% online
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

When it comes to the widest selection of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) specialties, the DBA program from Liberty University is hard to beat. It has 17 specializations available, including Six Sigma, Tourism Management, Supply Chain Management and Logistics, Strategic Media and Digital Content, and Nonprofit Leadership and Management. But the program flexibility doesn't stop with curriculum customization. The program is 100% online and self-paced, so students can learn as quickly or slowly as they want without having to worry about in-person residency or internship requirements. Individual classes are eight weeks long, so they're easier to fit into a busy schedule. Liberty University has a generous transfer policy, allowing up to 50% of the DBA curriculum credits to be met through approved transfer coursework.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Business Administration

• Credits: 60
• Length: About 3 years
• Cost: $595/credit (full-time) and $650/credit (part-time)
• Mode: 100% online
• Accreditation: ACBSP

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at Oklahoma Wesleyan University will enjoy several program features that make it a great option for earning a business doctorate. The first is that most of the curriculum is available online, so students can fit their learning into their work schedules. Another standout feature is that students can choose from Management or Leadership specializations. The former is ideal for those who want a career in academia, while the latter is best for those who want to work in the private sector. Another option for DBA students to consider is that they can earn their degree by completing either a Work Project or a Dissertation. While progressing through the program, students take one course at a time, with each class lasting eight weeks.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Business Administration

• Credits: 56
• Length: About 3 years
• Cost: $799/credit
• Mode: Partially online
• Accreditation: HLC

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program from the University of South Florida offers an ideal blend of online learning convenience, networking, and interactive learning. The bulk of the coursework is online but delivered in a synchronous format. To prevent this from interfering with most students' work schedules, classes are on alternating Saturdays throughout the year. The program requires two residencies, one relating to research skills and the other involving face-to-face meetings with dissertation committee members. There's also an optional third residency. To make the most of the online and in-person hybrid learning format, classes are organized into cohorts, with no cohort having more than 15 students. The University of South Florida's DBA program is AACSB accredited, an achievement not enjoyed by many comparable doctoral business programs.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Business Administration

• Credits: 72
• Length: About 3 years
• Cost: $1,250/credit
• Mode: Partially online
• Accreditation: AACSB