Top 10 Part-Time PhD in Business Degree Programs 2025

If you're a business professional looking to further your career, one way to do this is by earning a doctorate. There are two main options: a PhD in business or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

If you're a working professional, you may feel you don't have the time to go back to school. However, you can consider a part-time PhD in business or DBA. This provides you with the flexibility to work while pursuing your doctorate. Keep reading to learn more about part-time doctorates in business.

Can You Earn a PhD in Business Degree Part-Time?

It is possible to earn a PhD in business part-time. When you choose a part-time schedule, you'll take fewer courses each term, usually just one to two courses. This means your degree will take longer to complete, but your course load will be less intense.

Some schools offer PhDs in business through a cohort model, meaning that you move through the program with a set group of students. While part-time cohorts are available, this format can make it more difficult if you need to adjust your course load or take a term off.

Can I Earn My PhD in Business Online?

A few schools offer PhDs in business online, although not all are available part-time. Doctor of Business Administration degrees are much more common. These degrees typically take less time to complete than PhDs and tend to be more focused on practical applications rather than research.

How Long Does It Take to Finish a Part-Time Business PhD?

The length of time it takes to complete a part-time business PhD depends on the length of the program and how many courses you take each term. Four to six years is common for part-time students.

DBA degrees take less time to complete. Many part-time DBAs take only three to four years to finish.

Best Part-Time Business Doctoral Degrees

Part-time, online doctoral degrees in business are available through several schools across the U.S. We've highlighted some of the top part-time online PhDs in business and DBAs below.

1. Baker College

Baker College is a private, nonprofit institution in Owosso, MI. It offers an online DBA that offers two tracks: the dissertation track and the capstone project track.

Both programs require 52 credits, and the capstone track offers concentrations in areas like accounting, business intelligence, human resource management, and information systems. Students take one course at a time and can finish in three years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $39,000 total
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

2. Fairfield University

At Fairfield University, part-time students can finish an Executive DBA in just three years. The hybrid program is ideal for working professionals and includes courses in finance, marketing, management, and business analytics.

Fairfield University, a private Catholic school, is located in Fairfield, CT. The DBA here requires 48 credits and two in-person weekends each semester.

• Estimated tuition cost: $17,500 per semester
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

3. Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales University (JWU) offers a 54-credit DBA completely online. JWU is a nonprofit, private university in Providence, RI.

Students in the program take one course at a time and finish in three to three and a half years. Optional concentrations are available in hospitality leadership and organization development.

• Estimated tuition cost: $53,622 total
• Program length: Three to three and a half years.
• Accreditation: NECHE

4. Keiser University

The online DBA at Keiser University offers specializations in marketing, management, and global business. The program is designed to provide working business professionals with advanced skills to further their careers.

Keiser University, a private, nonprofit institution, has campuses throughout Florida. The DBA here requires 60 credit hours, and part-time students can finish in three to four years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,123 per semester
• Program length: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

5. National University

National University is a nonprofit, private institution in San Diego. It offers both a 60-credit PhD in business administration and a 48-credit DBA online.

Both programs allow for full-time or part-time study, whatever pace works best for you. They also both offer numerous specializations in areas like health services, organizational leadership, project management, and strategic marketing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $77,285 total (PhD); $56,949 total (DBA)
• Program length: Three to four years
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and ACBSP

6. Touro University Worldwide

Students at Touro University can earn a DBA online through the school's Worldwide campus. It includes core courses in business ethics, research methods, financial management, and more.

Touro University Worldwide (TUW), a private Jewish institution, is based in Los Alamitos, CA. Part-time students in this program take one course at a time and can finish in two years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $33,600 total
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: WSCUC

7. Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca Nazarene University offers a fully online DBA that students can work through one course at a time. Trevecca is a private Christian school in Nashville, TN.

The program allows students to choose between a traditional dissertation and a doctoral project to conclude the program. Students also choose a concentration, such as executive leadership, healthcare administration, artificial intelligence, and consulting.

• Estimated tuition cost: $41,940 total
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. University of the Cumberlands

Both a PhD in business and a DBA are available online through the University of the Cumberlands. Both programs offer full-time and part-time schedules.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, KY, is a private Christian school. Both the doctoral business degrees here require 66 credit hours and take about five years for part-time students to complete.

• Estimated tuition cost: $36,234 total
• Program length: Five years
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and IACBE

9. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland. It offers a 48-credit DBA built for working professionals.

The program centers on high-level management theory, strategic thinking, and organizational leadership. Each term of coursework requires an on-campus residency.

• Estimated tuition cost: $52,176 total
• Program length: Three to five years
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and IACBE

10. University of Michigan- Flint

Through the University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint), students can earn a DBA online. This program is geared toward mid-level managers or executives who want to grow in leadership roles or transition to academia.

The program includes courses on research methods, marketing, supply chain strategy, and strategic leadership. Part-time students can finish this 49-credit program in three years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $80,017 total
• Program length: Three years
• Accreditation: HLC and AACSB

How We Rank Schools

To choose the part-time business schools listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: Every school is regionally accredited and many of the doctoral degrees are programmatically accredited.
• Program flexibility: All programs allow students to work at a part-time pace.
• Program reputation: Each institution is nonprofit and known for offering high-quality programs.

FAQs About Flexible PhD in Business Programs

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about doctoral part-time business administration degrees to help you determine if this is a good option for you.

How Much Does a Part-Time Business PhD Program Cost?

The cost of a part-time business doctorate can range from around $30,000 to over $80,000. The amount you pay will depend on which school you choose, how many credit hours you need, and what financial aid you use.

Many schools offer special funding options for PhD and doctoral students. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what you might be eligible for.

Is It Worth Doing a PhD in Business Part-Time?

If you're looking to further your business career, a PhD or doctorate in business may be the answer. Choosing a program with part-time business degree courses is worth it if you're already a working professional or have a busy life to balance with your education.

What Is the Shortest PhD To Get for Business?

Most PhDs in business require about 60 to 70 credit hours. As a result, a part-time business management degree will take about as long as a part-time global business degree or any other type of business PhD.

Some programs may allow you to finish faster if you have a related master's degree, such as a full or part-time master's in business analytics. To speed up your program, you can also take on a heavier course load or take courses in the summer terms.

Is a DBA as Respected as a PhD?

DBAs and PhDs are both doctoral degrees and are both highly respected. However, they do have slightly different aims, so one may be more respected than the other depending on the field you're in.

Discover Online Doctoral Degrees

Start your journey toward furthering your business career by exploring the part-time doctorates featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, program pace, and financial aid.