Ohio's Leading Online Doctor of Business Administration Programs
Explore flexible online DBA programs in Ohio designed to advance your leadership skills and enhance your career opportunities in business.
If you want to elevate your business career with a doctoral degree, Ohio offers some of the best options for an online Doctor of Business Administration, also known as a DBA.
Maybe you’re looking to transition into high-level management, or perhaps you just want to sharpen your expertise. Either way, Ohio’s online DBA programs provide the flexibility to balance your education with a busy professional life.
In this guide, you’ll discover the top programs in the state, learn about costs, potential salaries, and how an online DBA in Ohio can open new doors for your career.
Earning Your Online DBA in Ohio: School Spotlights
When exploring online DBA programs in Ohio, you’ll find several high-quality options that offer flexible learning formats and strong academic support.
Below, you’ll find standout programs to help you begin your search, each offering unique features to suit your career goals and schedule preferences. This isn’t a ranking but a spotlight on a few of the best online doctoral programs in Ohio.
Franklin University
There are only a few online DBA programs in Ohio, and Franklin University’s is the biggest. The private, Columbus-based university offers a fully online Doctor of Business Administration program for working professionals who want to advance their leadership skills and expertise.
Online learning is a big focus at Franklin University, so you can expect a high-quality program. The curriculum emphasizes developing leadership and management skills throughout its 60 credits of coursework. Students explore topics like organizational leadership and strategy while developing advanced research skills.
Two years are spent learning these skills, with an additional year devoted to your dissertation, and you’ll receive plenty of support from the faculty as you work on it.
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management offers a three-year online Doctor of Business Administration in Ohio. Designed for professionals seeking to deepen their research skills and contribute more to the field of business, this program will teach you everything you need to know to advance your career.
This is a hybrid program, not 100% online, incorporating three on-campus residencies in Cleveland and three virtual residencies per semester. However, you should still have enough flexibility to work while earning your degree.
Students engage in 60 credits of research-driven coursework that covers topics like analytics, leadership, ethics, and social systems, preparing them to solve complex challenges in high-level careers. Optionally, you can extend your studies by a year to earn a PhD in Designing Sustainable Systems.
Walden University
Walden University, a primarily online university that offers a variety of 100% online degrees, has a DBA program designed for business professionals. With this program, you can advance your career in business leadership, consulting, or academia.
The fully online format is flexible for your career, and this DBA also allows you to pick from five specializations to customize your degree — leadership, healthcare management, entrepreneurship, and human resource management among them. The fifth is a self-designed option that combines courses from different specializations.
Two online residencies round out your education, as does the final stage of your doctoral journey: the capstone, a research project addressing a real-world problem in your field.
DBA or PhD in Business: Which Degree Is Right for You?
When considering a doctoral degree in business, you’ll likely encounter two main options: the DBA and the PhD in business. While both degrees are valuable, they serve different purposes and career paths.
| DBA | PhD in Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Applied research for solving real-world business problems | Theoretical research to advance business knowledge |
| Student Type | Experienced professionals seeking advanced leadership roles | Aspiring academics or researchers |
| Career Goals | Senior leadership, consulting, or teaching in professional programs | Academic faculty or research positions |
| Funding | Often self-funded, though financial aid or employer sponsorship may be available | More likely to receive funding through scholarships or assistantships |
| Prerequisites | Master’s degree and significant professional experience | Master’s degree, often with a focus on research or business |
| Length | 3-4 years | 5-6 Years |
| Capstone | Applied research project or dissertation | Traditional academic dissertation |
Specialization Opportunities In Online DBA Programs in Ohio
Choosing to specialize in your DBA program can significantly enhance your career prospects and expertise, focusing on an industry or skill set that’s in demand in Ohio. That includes fields like healthcare, organizational leadership, and finance. Consider what aspects of business inspire you most and where local demand for leadership roles is growing.
Healthcare Management
Healthcare is possibly one of the highest-demand fields, so specializing in healthcare management can be a good investment. This focus will address topics like healthcare policy, operations, and patient-care improvement. It’s ideal for professionals seeking executive roles in Ohio’s expanding healthcare sector.
Finance
A finance specialization equips you with advanced knowledge of financial management, investment strategies, and corporate finance. The banking and financial industries always need strong leaders, so specializing in finance can be an excellent choice.
Entrepreneurship
Focused on innovation and business development, this specialization prepares you to lead startups or develop new business ventures. If you want to run your own business, become an industry leader, and positively impact the local economy, a DBA in entrepreneurship may call to you.
International Business
A business leader who fully understands the global supply chain and market trends is a rare and valuable person, so specializing in international business will make you a sought-after commodity in multinational firms or a strong leader of your own business.
Organizational Leadership
This specialization hones leadership skills in change management, team dynamics, and strategic decision-making. Ohio’s diverse industries need strong leaders, and pursuing this specialization will prepare you for a variety of senior leadership roles.
How Much an Online DBA in Ohio Can Cost
Before you set your sights on any university, it’s crucial to understand your total financial commitment. Your dream school may not be worth it if it costs twice as much as an equivalent, less expensive program.
Tuition costs can vary significantly between programs, and planning ahead for how you’ll finance your education is essential. Many students rely on financial aid, scholarships, or employer-sponsored programs.
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin University | Doctor of Business Administration | 60 | $44,880 |
| Case Western Reserve University | Doctor of Business Administration | 60 | $175,980 |
| Walden University | Doctor of Business Administration | 45 | $46,125 |
Financial Aid Opportunities for Ohio DBA Programs
To help offset the cost of earning an online DBA in Ohio, students can access various financial aid options.
Scholarships and grants, often merit-based or need-based, are a great way to fund your degree without the obligation of repayment. Fellowships, which may be tied to specific research or academic excellence, can also help. Work-study programs and graduate research assistantships provide students with financial support in exchange for part-time work related to their field of study.
Ohio also offers state-specific financial aid opportunities, specifically grants and scholarships for graduates who fit specific criteria.
Salary and Job Growth Outlook for Ohio DBA Graduates
Earning an online DBA in Ohio opens doors to high-level leadership roles across various industries, including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing — key sectors in the state’s economy.
Below, you can explore three popular career paths for DBA graduates, including salary estimates and job growth outlooks.
| Career | Median Pay (2023) | 90th Percentile Pay (2023) | Job Outlook (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Executive | $103,840 | $239,200 | 6% |
| Financial Manager | $156,100 | $239,200 | 17% |
| Management Analyst | $99,410 | $172,280 | 11% |
Top Executive
Top executives, who commonly serve as CEOs or in other C-suite roles, oversee the overall operations of an organization. They develop business strategies and policies while making critical decisions, and DBA graduates with leadership skills are perfectly suited to this job.
Top executives exist in many industries, so this is a role you can take on whatever your specialization. While growth in these positions is slower — but still above the 4% national average for job growth across all sectors — the earning potential and influence in the role are significant.
Financial Manager
With the highest pay and job outlook, financial management can be a lucrative field to enter. Financial managers direct the financial activities of organizations, including budgeting, forecasting, and investment strategies.
The role is clearly in very high demand, and DBA graduates can expect a high salary if they manage to land this job. Financial managers typically work in banks, insurance companies, and corporate finance departments.
Management Analyst
Management analysts, or consultants, analyze an organization’s efficiency and recommend improvements to enhance performance. This career path is ideal for DBA graduates skilled in strategic planning and problem-solving. With an 11% job growth outlook, demand is strong across industries.
As a management analyst, you can specialize in any in-demand industry, like healthcare, finance, or government, making it a flexible role to pursue. Be prepared to help optimize businesses, reduce costs, and increase profitability.
FAQs About Online Doctor of Business Administration Programs in Ohio
Are online DBA PhD programs more affordable than in-person programs?
Online DBA programs can be more affordable than in-person options, primarily because they eliminate costs like commuting, on-campus fees, and housing.
Schools such as Franklin University and Walden University offer competitive tuition rates for online students, making the programs a more cost-effective alternative. However, because neither of these schools has an on-campus variant of the DBA program, it can be hard to compare directly.
How long does it take to earn an online DBA in Ohio?
The time to complete an online DBA in Ohio typically ranges from three to five years. For example, Franklin University’s program can be completed in about three years, while Walden University’s can take two to eight years.
Accelerated programs can reduce this time to even one year, but expect to work hard to pull it off.
Do Ohio online DBA programs require dissertations?
Most online DBA programs in Ohio require a dissertation to earn your degree, but no-dissertation DBA programs that only require an applied research project or other capstone do exist.
Helpful Resources for Online DBA Students in Ohio
- Ohio Department of Higher Education
Ohio’s DOE website provides information on state-specific financial aid programs, grants, and scholarships for graduate students, as well as general guidance on higher education opportunities in Ohio. - OhioLINK
This statewide library consortium offers students enrolled in Ohio colleges and universities access to academic resources, journals, and databases. - OhioMeansJobs
Looking for career resources, job listings, and professional development tools tailored to Ohio-based students and graduates? This site is a valuable resource for Ohio job-seekers. - SCORE Columbus Ohio + SCORE Cleveland
This site offers free business mentoring, workshops, and resources for DBA students interested in entrepreneurship and starting small businesses. - Weatherhead School of Management’s Research by Topic
Here, you’ll find a list of high-quality research papers to use in your projects and research or inspire your capstone/dissertation brainstorm.