10 Shortest DBA Programs Online for 2026

Business degrees are some of the most popular programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. If you've earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and want to reach higher with your business career, you may want to consider a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

Many schools offer fast-paced, online DBAs for busy students who want to reach their career goals fast. Keep reading to discover some of the shortest DBA programs online.

How Long Does It Take To Get a DBA Degree?

The average time frame for a DBA degree is about three years. That being said, there are some schools that offer accelerated DBA programs that take less time, and others that let students complete the program at a slower pace.

Are There Any 1-Year DBA Programs Online?

There are no DBA programs that take only a year from start to finish. However, if you have transfer credits, you could finish your DBA in just one year.

Fastest DBA Programs Online

Most DBA programs take a minimum of three years, or 36 months, to complete. Below, we've featured some of the shortest DBA programs you can find online.

1. William Woods University

William Woods University is a private Christian school in Fulton, MO. It offers a DBA that can be completed in as little as 12 months for students with transfer credits.

The 51-credit program allows students to transfer in up to half their credit hours. The program runs through five-week courses and includes an applied doctoral study project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $21,060 per year
• Program length: As little as 12 months
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Touro University Worldwide

At Touro University Worldwide (TUW), students can complete a DBA in just a year and a half of full-time study. The program requires 48 credits and allows students to transfer in up to six credit hours.

TUW, the online campus of the private Jewish Touro University system, is based in Los Alamitos, CA. The program here has eight-week terms and six start dates throughout the year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $700 per credit
• Program length: 18 months
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC)

3. Columbia International University

Columbia International University (CIU) offers a 27-month DBA online. CIU is a private Christian university in Columbia, SC.

The DBA at CIU includes courses on business law, business analytics, management strategy, and research methods. It concludes with an applied doctoral project experience.

• Estimated tuition cost: $705 per credit
• Program length: 27 months
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

4. Cambridge College

The online DBA in quality systems and improvement management at Cambridge College takes as little as two and a half years to complete. It includes courses on Six Sigma, quality system design, systems management, and more.

Cambridge College, located in Boston, is a private, nonprofit university. Its online DBA is 60 credits and includes a dissertation project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $705 per credit
• Program length: As few as 30 months
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

5. Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca Nazarene University is a private Christian institution in Nashville. It offers a 60-credit, fully online DBA that takes 32 months to complete.

The program offers several tracks for students to choose from, including consulting and coaching, healthcare administration, leadership in artificial intelligence, and organizational intelligence. Students also choose between completing their program with a traditional dissertation or an applied project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $699 per credit
• Program length: 32 months
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. National University

Students at National University earn their DBAs online in an average of 34 months. The program offers multiple specializations, including global business management, information technology, organizational leadership, and strategic marketing.

National University is a nonprofit private school based in San Diego. The online DBA here requires 48 credits, and students can transfer in up to 12 credits. New start dates are offered every Monday.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,138 per credit
• Program length: 34 months
• Accreditation: WSCUC

7. Franklin University

Franklin University offers a 60-credit DBA in a fully online format. Franklin is a private, nonprofit university in Columbus, OH, geared toward working adults.

The program typically takes three years but allows students to transfer in up to 55% of their credits. It offers focus areas like finance, healthcare management, human resources, and marketing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $748 per credit
• Program length: Three years without transfer credits
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Bryan College

The DBA at Bryan College teaches advanced business concepts with a Christian worldview. It requires 60 credit hours and accepts up to 15 transfer credits.

Bryan College, located in Dayton, TN, is a private Christian school. Courses for the DBA are offered in eight-week terms, and most students finish within three years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $600 per credit
• Program length: Three years without transfer credits
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is a public institution in Trenton, NJ, also geared toward adult learners. It offers a 48-credit DBA online with a unique curriculum design.

Students take one course every eight weeks. The program requires 16 eight-week terms, allowing students to finish in around three years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $960 per credit
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

10. Baker College

Through Baker College, students can earn a DBA online in just three years. The program requires 52 credit hours and allows students to choose between a dissertation track or a capstone project track.

This private, nonprofit school is located in Owosso, MI. An all but dissertation (ABD) track is available to students with at least 27 doctoral credit hours from another DBA program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit
• Program length: three years
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the short online and hybrid DBA programs listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All programs come from regionally accredited institutions.
• Program length: We looked at the shortest options, specifically those with programs of three years or less.
• Affordability: All schools charge less than $1,200 per credit and offer financial aid.
• Reputation: Every institution is accredited, nonprofit, and known for offering high-quality online degrees.

FAQs About Accelerated Online DBA Programs

An accelerated online DBA can help you earn your degree in a fast, flexible format. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about the shortest DBA programs online.

Is a DBA Worth It?

For those who want to further their careers in business, a DBA is worth it. DBAs can provide you with valuable business skills and can also open you up to roles in research or academia.

Is There Financial Aid for Online DBA Programs?

Many schools offer financial aid for online DBA programs. This may include grants, scholarships, fellowships, or assistantships.

What Is the Salary for a DBA?

The salary for a DBA depends primarily on what field you go into. However, many individuals with a graduate degree in business make over $100,000 per year.

What Jobs Can I Get With an Online DBA?

The same jobs are available to those with an online DBA as those with an in-person DBA. These include:

• chief executive
• marketing manager
• financial manager
• operations manager

Can You Get a DBA Without a Master's Degree?

Some schools will accept DBA students who do not have a master's degree; however, you may need to complete additional coursework above the typical DBA requirements. As a result, if you're looking at a 1-year DBA program, you're going to need a master's.

Explore Online Business Degrees

Find the perfect DBA for you by exploring the accelerated online options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.