Standout Online Business Administration Doctorates in North Carolina
Learn about the best online DBA programs in North Carolina, tailored for career-driven professionals seeking more flexible ways to study.
If you’re ready to deepen your expertise in business leadership, earning an online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree in North Carolina can offer a prime path toward impactful career advancement.
You’re a busy person with an established career, and an online program may be just what you need to juggle work and study. This guide explores top programs designed for working professionals who want the flexibility of online study combined with the rigor and networking opportunities of a North Carolina-based degree.
Below, you’ll be introduced to online DBA in North Carolina programs, costs, and potential future careers, helping you find the best fit.
Inside Online DBA Programs in North Carolina: School Spotlights
Ready to explore standout online DBA in North Carolina programs that offer flexibility, quality courses, and potential for professional growth? Each program below has unique strengths, but all are quality programs that will give you the skills you need to succeed professionally. These spotlights are a starting point to help you find your ideal program.
This North Carolina online Doctor of Business Administration is designed for experienced professionals seeking to elevate their expertise in business theory, research, and leadership — all with the flexibility of a hybrid format.
The program is offered through the school’s Belk College of Business, which is one of fewer than 2% of the world’s business schools to achieve and maintain the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) accreditation for both business and accounting programs.
Over three years and 54 credit hours, you’ll travel to Charlotte to study and network one weekend per month. You’ll need to attend 10 on-campus residencies per year over three-day weekends. This hybrid approach gives you enough flexibility to work while pursuing your degree. The program is also fairly flexible, allowing up to nine years to complete your degree requirements.
Gardner-Webb University’s online DBA in North Carolina offers a flexible hybrid format for working professionals. The program spans 60 credit hours and typically takes about three years to complete, during which you’ll undergo online coursework and occasional on-campus residencies to develop collaboration skills and discover mentorship opportunities.
The curriculum at Gardner-Webb emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application, covering advanced areas like global business strategies, leadership skills, and financial management.
Additionally, students can tailor their studies with specializations such as accounting, finance, international business, and management, potentially making their degree more valuable to employers in these fields. Ultimately, you’ll be required to write a dissertation focusing on your chosen field.
The school has institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its newer DBA program is seeking programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
National University’s DBA program is designed to prepare you for senior leadership positions in which you’ll conduct or apply high-level business research.
This fully online, ACBSP-accredited program consists of 48 credit hours, no on-campus residencies (unlike many other programs), and just under three years of study. It will also require you to complete a dissertation to earn your degree. The school’s unique Dissertation Completion Pathway is a 100% online pathway helping students finish their doctoral degree with weekly dissertation feedback provided by highly trained faculty.
If you’re interested in tailoring your degree to your interests, you’ll have 12 specializations to choose from — including IT, accounting, financial management, health services, and project management.
NU’s online DBA has no GRE or GMAT exam requirement. Another unique feature of this degree: You’ll have no group projects during your online DBA program.
DBA or PhD in Business: Which Degree Do You Need?
When considering a flexible doctoral degree in business, you’ll typically choose between an online Doctor of Business Administration or a PhD in Business. While a DBA focuses on applied business practices for professionals seeking leadership roles, PhDs emphasize research and theory, primarily for academic positions.
| DBA | PhD in Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Applied business leadership and practice | Research and theory development |
| Student Type | Mid-career, working professionals | Aspiring academics and researchers |
| Career Goals | Executive, consulting, or high-level leadership positions | Academic positions or research roles |
| Funding | Self-funded, scholarships, or employer funded | Often fully funded through stipends/aid |
| Prerequisites | Master’s degree, professional experience | Master’s degree |
| Length | 3-4 years | 5-6 Years |
| Capstone | Applied research project or dissertation | Dissertation |
North Carolina Online DBA Courses and Specializations
Many online Doctor of Business Administration programs in North Carolina allow you to specialize in certain fields, and doing so can be a wise choice. Specializing allows you to tailor your studies to specific areas of interest, enhancing your expertise and positioning you for more targeted career paths. These specializations are some of the most relevant to those in North Carolina.
Strategic Management
Specializing in strategic management prepares you to design and implement high-level, long-term organizational strategies. This path is ideal for those interested in consulting or leadership roles in North Carolina’s corporate landscape, particularly in the finance and tech sectors.
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare systems need all the good leadership they can get, so specializing in healthcare is a good choice. You’ll learn how to effectively manage complex healthcare systems, enact policies, and improve the quality of those systems. The healthcare industry is constantly growing in North Carolina and beyond, so there’s plenty of demand for leadership in this field.
Entrepreneurship
If you’re an innovator who wants to start your own business and make it a success, a specialization in entrepreneurship is just the thing. This will help you develop the skills you need to launch new ventures and drive growth.
Financial Management
A specialization in financial management emphasizes advanced skills in financial analysis, investment strategies, and corporate finance. It’s an excellent choice for professionals seeking leadership roles in North Carolina’s banking and investment firms.
Data Analytics
This field teaches students to interpret and leverage data for business decisions, covering areas like predictive modeling and big data strategies. Technology and research industries value these skills highly, and graduates often find roles as data strategists in major firms.
Breaking Down the Costs of Online DBA Programs in North Carolina
Before you make a significant financial and life commitment, it’s essential to understand how much the program you’ve selected will cost. DBA programs in North Carolina vary significantly in price, so you’ll need to evaluate the total tuition plus any other fees you’ll need to pay for coursework and residencies.
You should also have some funding lined up before you commit. Many students fund their degrees through personal savings, employer sponsorships, and financial aid options like scholarships and loans. Before enrolling, create a realistic budget and explore financial aid to minimize future debt.
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Charlotte | Doctor of Business Administration | 54 | $94,000 |
| Gardner-Webb University | Doctor of Business Administration | 60 | $57,300 |
| National University | Doctor of Business Administration | 48 | $55,115 |
Financial Aid for North Carolina DBA Students
North Carolina DBA students have several financial aid options to help offset tuition and fees. Scholarships and grants are available through both universities and private organizations, often through academic achievement or based on financial need.
Many schools also offer fellowships specifically for doctoral students, providing stipends to support research or teaching efforts. Graduate assistantships, including research and teaching positions, can be a valuable resource.
For North Carolina residents, state-specific aid programs can further reduce costs. The North Carolina Forgivable Education Loans for Service program, for example, offers loans to graduate students in particular critical fields. There’s also the Point Foundation Scholarship, which is available to eligible LGBTQ students, including doctoral students.
Career Growth and Potential Salaries for North Carolina DBA Graduates
Earning a DBA in North Carolina opens doors to high-level roles in leadership, academia, and other fields. Professionals with DBAs are in high demand all across the state. With the growing business sector, several jobs have a good outlook and high pay. Take a look at the table below for a few successful career paths you could take.
| Career | Median Pay (2023) | 90th Percentile Pay (2023) | Job Outlook (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $110,680 | $216,750 | 29% |
| Management Analyst | $99,410 | $172,280 | 11% |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $84,380 | $182,710 | 8% |
Medical and Health Services Manager
With a specialization in healthcare management, DBA graduates can pursue roles as managers in health institutions. You’ll direct operations in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities, taking on the big task of keeping everything running smoothly.
This role is in extremely high demand with a job outlook of 29% between 2023 and 2033 (compared to a 4% national average for all jobs in the U.S.), so sufficiently qualified applicants seem likely to land a good job. If you’re interested in organizational management in a healthcare setting, this role would suit you.
Management Analyst
As a management analyst, your job is to use data analysis to develop strategies that improve a business’ organization and keep everything running efficiently. A DBA will give you the skills to tackle these difficult tasks, saving companies money and time.
This role is in high demand in North Carolina and across the U.S., with an 11% job growth outlook and a fairly high salary. Career advancement often includes senior consulting roles, making it attractive to those with analytical strengths and business knowledge.
Postsecondary Teacher
If you’re interested in academia, you may find it fulfilling to pursue a role as a business professor. Besides continuing to do research in your field, you’ll also play a part in teaching and inspiring the next generation of business students. North Carolina’s universities and community colleges offer ample opportunities in this field.
Online DBA Programs in North Carolina: FAQs
Are online DBA programs more affordable than in-person programs?
Online DBA programs in North Carolina are often more affordable than attending school in person. Because you won’t be living on campus, you don’t need to pay for your dorm or meals or worry about commuting costs.
However, tuition rates vary by school and program structure. Some programs are pretty expensive — totaling $80,000 or more in tuition — meaning you’ll likely need to consider financial aid. Check out affordable online DBA programs for alternatives.
How long does it take to earn a North Carolina DBA online?
Typically, earning an online DBA in North Carolina takes about three years. Programs like Gardner-Webb’s and UNC Charlotte’s are structured to be completed in three years, while some universities offer flexible pacing. There are even accelerated one-year DBA programs that let you complete your studies in less than 12 months.
Is a dissertation required to earn my online DBA in North Carolina?
Most North Carolina DBA programs require a dissertation or a significant applied research project to complete the degree. However, some online DBA programs are available without a dissertation requirement.
Useful Resources for North Carolina DBA Students
- Carolina Small Business Development Fund
This organization provides business support, networking, and financing options for North Carolina professionals, especially those interested in starting small businesses. - NC.gov
Looking for practical information on financing, starting, or registering a North Carolina business? Or perhaps you need legal or intellectual property insights? This is your one-stop resource. - North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants
On this website, you’ll find events, training, and professional development for North Carolina accounting and finance professionals, including those in executive positions. - North Carolina Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerce provides plenty of resources for startup businesses, connecting you to funding and development opportunities to help you expand and thrive. - North Carolina Economic Development Association
This network is dedicated to the economic development of NC businesses, providing professional resources and event listings.