Top 10 Online Colleges with the Best PhD in Business

Pursuing a career in business after completing your undergraduate education is a wise course of action that allows graduates to pay off student loan debt while obtaining real-world experience. Having gained knowledge from hands-on work in the field of business, you are optimally prepared to pursue a post-graduate degree to take your career to the next level. If you are ready to pursue a PhD in business or another doctoral degree in the field but don’t want to sacrifice time from your job, the best choice is to enroll in an online PhD degree program that offers flexible and accelerated class scheduling. To get you started, here’s a list of the Online Colleges with the Best PhD in Business.

Methodology

Institutions of higher learning found in our ranking include not-for-profit private schools as well as public institutions. Data for the ranking is gathered from multiple sources which include the following:

• Individual School Websites
• National Center for Education Statistics
• CollegeData
• Niche

Schools which offer doctoral programs in the area of business studies were scored based on affordability, student opinion, freshman retention, and graduation rates. While for doctoral degrees, as well as other graduate degrees, some may question why to use the graduation or retention rates? The reasoning behind using these for ranking a graduate program is that these numbers tend to reflect the overall quality of the school.

Affordability is determined by a numerical scale developed for rankings which you can find to the right. As you may notice, the lower the cost, the higher the affordability according to the scale. The cost of attendance (COA) is based on the residential rates of the institutions. The COA will not include financial aid or scholarship funding.

Niche is used to collect data from students in order rate institutions in a grading format. The overall grade which is given by the students is used in our ranking to show student opinion and allow students, in a way, to participate in the rankings.

Each of these numbers has a potential of being 100, although it would be highly unusual for a school to achieve a ranking score of 400. No school in any ranking has been given preferential treatment, nor has any requested such treatment. The sources and formula are disclosed so that any person who chooses to do so will be able to achieve the same results. OnlineCollegePlan, however, can not be responsible for changes in data which are made after publication of the ranking. OnlineCollegePlan strives to keep rankings up to date with relevant information for students, parents, and prospective students.

The ranking formula is:
Graduation Rate + Retention Rate + COA + Niche Grade = Final Score

If you enjoyed this ranking, you may also enjoy checking our Top 100 Best Online Colleges.

10. Indiana Technical Institute

Indiana Technical Institute is a private, non-profit university located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The college was founded in 1930 and incorporated into the State of Indiana system in 1931. The university is made up of six different colleges: College of Business, College of Engineering, School of Computer Sciences, College of General Studies, Center for Criminal Justice, and School of Education. The college has a student body of over 8,000 students with an active campus life. The student-to-faculty ratio is 31 to 1. The university has eleven men’s and eleven women’s athletic teams named the Warriors, who compete in the NAIA. Notable alumni include Stanley Puskarz who invented the pop-top lid, Lowell Krandell who designed Indiana’s first fiber optics system, and Stanley Clemenz who is a telecommunications engineer.

Indiana Technical Institute offers an online Ph.D. in global leadership that focuses on globally minded, culturally intelligent, socially responsible individuals who lead transnational organizations in every sector of the global economy. Their program is designed to teach you how to critically analyze theories of global leadership studies, articulate your holistic understanding of global dynamics in both written and oral communication, and demonstrate ethical and legal consciousness in the field of global leadership. Tuition at Indiana Tech comes out to $12,970 per year, though 96% of students receive some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the Indiana Technical Institute website.

9. Bellevue University

Bellevue University is a private, non-profit university based in Bellevue, Nebraska. It opened in 1966 with a focus on adult education, helping working adults to complete upper education degrees without taking time off of their jobs. As a result, the majority of its students are over the age of 25. This focus makes Bellevue University a great choice for working professionals, as they pride themselves on transferring credits and helping their students achieve career goals. This focus on adult education does not come at the expense of a campus life, however, as they have an engaged student body that roots for their team, the Bruins, who compete in the NAIA. Bellevue University has a large student body, with 5,554 undergraduates and 3,342 graduates, and a 31 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Notable alumni include Abbie Cornett who was a member of Nebraska Legislature, Judd Lyons who was a Major General in the United States Army, and James Young who is the current president of Union Pacific Railway.

Bellevue University offers an online Ph.D. in Human Capital Management, which is designed to teach students how to create efficient workplace environments for companies to maximize the effectiveness of their employees. The degree requires the completion of 58 total credits, including a dissertation which involves applied research where students use the knowledge gained from their classes to analyze a real-world business. The curriculum includes classes such as Strategic Management of Human-Derived Sources of Capital, Seminar in Leadership Theory, and Advance Analysis and Presentation Methods. Tuition at Bellevue University comes out to $7,365 per year, with 92% of students receiving some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the Bellevue University website.

8. Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private, non-profit, doctoral research institution based in New Castle, Delaware. The university was founded in 1968 with an initial class of 194 students, which has ballooned to a large student body of 15,316. Almost half of their students are graduate students, and the university maintains a 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university is broken down into seven different colleges: College of Arts and Science, College of Education, College of Business, College of Health Professions, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Technology, and College of Online and Experiential Learning. The university has 11 different teams, named the Wildcats, who compete in NCAA Division II. Notable alumni include Richard Cathcart who was the House Majority Leader in the Delaware House of Representatives, John Sigler, former president of the NRA, and Anthony Allison who is a professional soccer player.

Wilmington University offers an online or hybrid Doctor of Business Administration which is designed to help working professionals become senior managers or innovative leaders in their businesses. The degree requires the completion of 54 credit hours, with 21 credits coming from common core requirements, 24 credits from specific program course requirements, and then finally 9 credits from a dissertation or research project requirement. The program is designed to accommodate professionals who need to maintain full-time employment while pursuing their degree, and generally takes two and half years to complete the program coursework, and then another one or two years to complete the dissertation. The curriculum includes courses such as Ethics in Business and Management, Statistics for Research, and Organizational Strategy and Policy. Tuition at Wilmington University comes out to $10,670 per year, while 72% of students receive some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the Wilmington University website.

7. University of Charleston

The University of Charleston is a private university based in Charleston, West Virginia, and was founded by the Southern Methodist Church in 1888. The university is relatively small, with a student population of 2,425, and 1,761 of their students are undergraduates. This size allows the university to maintain an intimate 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university is well regarded nationally, as it was included in The Princeton Review’s list of best 371 colleges and universities in the country. The University of Charleston’s athletic teams are called the Golden Eagles and compete in NCAA Division II.

The University of Charleston offers an online Doctor of Executive Leadership. The Doctor of Executive Leadership is designed to maximize the executive value of their students in their business. Students who complete the degree are on the path to become senior-level business leaders who can integrate theory with real-world practice. The degree requires 58-credit hours for completion, including Leadership Core Courses, Research Courses, and a dissertation. Leadership Core Courses include Leadership Theories and Perspectives, Organizational Dynamics, and Collaborative Leadership. Research Courses include Culture of Inquiry, Responsible Conduct of Research, and Leadership Research and Design Logic. Tuition at the University of Charleston comes out to $29,900 per year, though 97% of students receive some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the University of Charleston website.

6. City University of Seattle

The City University of Seattle is a private, non-profit institution based in Seattle, Washington, and was founded in 1973. The university is broken down into five different schools: Albright School of Education, School of Management, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Applied Leadership, and Washington Academy of Languages. The university is fairly small with a student population of 1,874, the majority of whom are graduate degree seekers. This small size allows the university to offer an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring that every student receives an ample amount of attention. Notable alumni include Larry Campbell, the former mayor of Vancouver, Scott Reske, a member of the Indiana House of Representatives, and Mohamed Fahmy, a journalist who has worked for CNN and Al Jazeera.

The University offers an online Doctor of Business Administration which is designed for professionals to develop their skills in business leadership and organization. The program offers students the flexibility to choose between online and onsite formats, with their online coursework supported through Professor Live Chat, which is a highly interactive teaching model which includes one hour per week of lecture and live chat. Courses include Organizational Development Theories and Trends, Financial Decision-Making, and Technology Implementation and Change Management. Each student is required to complete a dissertation after passing the core courses. Alumni often achieve job titles of CEO, CFO, or President of major international corporations and businesses. Tuition at City University of Seattle comes out to $16,748 per year, while 48% of students receive some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the City University of Seattle website.

5. Southeastern University

Southeastern University is a private Christian liberal arts university based in Lakeland, Florida. The university was established in 1935. The university is the largest Assemblies of God educational institution in the United States, with over 5,800 students, and is broken down into six different schools: College of Arts and Media, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Barnett College of Ministry and Theology, College of Education, College of Natural and Health Sciences, and Jannetides College of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership. The university is home to over 5,800 unique and diverse students that make up a lively on-campus culture.

The university’s sports teams are called the Fire, and their women’s basketball team is one of the top-ranked Division II teams in the nation. The student-to-faculty ratio at Southeastern is 21 to 1. Notable alumni include Christian pop singer Seth Ready, professional baseball player Dee Gordon, and former mayor of Fort Meade, Florida, Melony Bell.

Southeastern University offers a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, which utilizes online courses for the majority of its coursework, requires students to be on campus for periodic one-week intensives. Online courses include Leadership Theory, Organizational Systems and Management, and Teamwork Dynamics. After completing the core coursework students are required to complete a dissertation. The total estimated tuition cost for the Organizational Leadership Ph.D. comes out to $47,700 at $795 per credit hour. 97% of Southeastern University students receive some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the Southeastern University website.

4. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is a private, non-profit university that is based in St. Leo, Florida. The university was established in 1889 as a Roman Catholic affiliated school. Saint Leo is one of the five largest Catholic colleges in the United States, with a student population of 14,649, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1. Saint Leo was one of the first institutions to provide distance learning opportunities, as they offered courses for military men and women in the armed forces during the Vietnam era. The university still maintains its relationship with the armed services, providing education to active military members and veterans. The St. Leo athletics teams are called the Lions, and they participate in the NCAA Division II Sunshine State Conference. Notable alumni include politicians Richard Corcoran and Ed Narain, as well as musician Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Saint Leo University offers an online Doctor of Business Administration, which prepares students for careers as teachers or business consultants. The program draws on Saint Leo’s history of providing quality distance learning experiences to ensure that doctoral students have close relationships with their professors, even if they do not take classes on campus. The program requires completion of 57 credit hours and a dissertation defense. Some of the courses offered in Saint Leo’s DBA program include History of Applied Management Theory, Organizational Behavior and Social Responsibility, and Global Perspectives in Human Resource. Tuition at Saint Leo’s averages $21,440 per year, though 100% of students receive some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the Saint Leo University website.

3. Hampton University

Hampton University is a private, historically black university located in Hampton, Virginia. It was founded in 1868 after the American Civil War to provide education for freedmen. The university has a student population of 4,646 and has an intimate student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1. The university is broken down into 11 different schools that offer a total of 48 baccalaureate programs, 23 master’s programs, and 8 doctoral programs. The university provides a comfortable and lively campus, which explains its nickname Home by the Sea. Hampton University athletic teams are called The Pirates, and they compete in NCAA Division I. Notable alumni include Booker T. Washington, comedienne Wanda Sykes, and mayor of Trenton, New Jersey, Douglas Palmer.

Hampton University offers an online Ph.D. in Business Administration, which is designed for working professionals to advance their qualifications in their field. The program does require students to complete two summer residencies during their program, each one lasting four weeks from mid-July through mid-August. The degree requires the completion of 61 total credit hours and a dissertation defense. Some of the program’s required courses are Organizational Behavior, Advanced Computer Applications, and Empirical Research Methods. Tuition at Hampton University averages $24,242 per year, though 96% of students receive some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the Hampton University website.

2. Liberty University

School Profile
Liberty University is a private, non-profit university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was established in 1971 as a Christian research university. Liberty has a massive student population, totaling 75,756 students, making it the largest Christian university in the world, and the largest private non-profit university in the United States, though it still maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1. It also accompanies over 100,000 online degree students. Liberty’s athletic teams are called the Flames and compete in NCAA Division I, where they have won a total of six national championships. Notable alumni include member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Mike Fleck, televangelist Bill Keller, and professional basketball player Seth Curry.

Liberty University’s School of Business offers an online Doctor of Business Administration, which is unique in that it is 100% online, and does not require students to take any classes on campus. The program allows students to transfer 15 hours of credits that go towards the 60 total credit hours required for degree completion. One of the best features of Liberty’s DBA is that it allows its students to choose a particular path to specialize in, including Accounting, Healthcare Management, Human Resources, and Project Management, among many others. Tuition at Liberty averages $21,292 per year, though 96% of students receive some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the Liberty University website.

1. University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university that is based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The university was founded in 1910 and has become one of the top universities for study abroad. Southern Miss has a large student body of 14,552, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1. The university is one of the few educational institutions that sanctions Mardi Gras celebrations, giving students a two-day vacation to celebrate. The university regularly receives research grants, as it is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having High Research Activity. The Southern Miss athletic teams were originally called the Mississippi Southerners, but they were renamed to the Golden Eagles in 1972. The Golden Eagles are highly competitive as they compete in NCAA Division I. Notable alumni include former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, musician Jimmy Buffett, and television chef Cat Cora.

The University of Southern Mississippi offers a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development which is a hybrid on-campus and online degree. The degree focuses on student development through real-world research projects. The degree requires the completion of 54 credit hours while maintaining a 3.0 GPA, as well as the defense of an original dissertation. The program is broken down into 12 credit hours of General Core courses, 27 credit hours of Research Core Courses, and 15 credit hours of electives. In-state tuition averages $7,659 per year, while out-of-state tuition averages $16,529, though 97% of Southern Miss students receive some form of financial aid.

For more information about the program, you can check out the University of Southern Mississippi website.