DBA vs PhD Decision Calculator
Discover which doctoral degree aligns best with your career aspirations and professional background.
Your Doctoral Degree Path
DBA Path
For executives who want to apply research to solve real business problems.
- Time commitment: 3-5 years
- Typical cost: £20,000-£50,000
- Best for: CLO, Board Member, Chief Innovation Officer
PhD Path
For professionals who want to create new theories and publish academic research.
- Time commitment: 4-6 years
- Typical cost: £25,000-£60,000
- Best for: University Professor, Research Director, Policy Advisor
Key Differences
DBA focuses on applying research to solve real business problems, while PhD focuses on creating new theories and publishing academic research.
Next Steps
People often think an MBA is the top of the ladder in business education. But if you’re already running a company, leading a department, or aiming for the C-suite in a global firm, you might be asking: What degree is higher than MBA? The answer isn’t just one degree-it’s a few elite options designed for leaders who’ve already mastered the basics and now need deep expertise, research credibility, or executive authority.
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
The DBA is the most direct successor to the MBA. While an MBA teaches you how to manage teams, analyze markets, and make strategic decisions, a DBA trains you to create new frameworks for those decisions. It’s not about learning theory-it’s about generating original business knowledge.
DBA programs are built for working executives. Most students are already in senior roles-VPs, directors, founders-with 10+ years of experience. The curriculum blends advanced research methods with real-world business problems. You don’t write a traditional thesis. You write a practice-based dissertation that solves a concrete problem in your industry, like redesigning supply chain logistics for mid-sized manufacturers or improving customer retention in fintech.
Top schools like London Business School, INSEAD, and the University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School offer DBA programs with flexible formats: weekend classes, online modules, and intensive residential weeks. Graduates often become corporate consultants, university professors, or policy advisors in government and NGOs.
PhD in Business or Management
If you want to teach at a top-tier university or lead research at institutions like the World Bank or McKinsey Global Institute, a PhD is the gold standard. Unlike the DBA, which focuses on applied solutions, a PhD is a pure research degree. You’re expected to contribute new, peer-reviewed knowledge to the academic world.
PhD programs in business are rigorous. You’ll spend 4-6 years taking advanced courses in econometrics, organizational theory, and statistical modeling before even starting your dissertation. Your research must be novel enough to be published in journals like the Academy of Management Journal or Harvard Business Review.
While DBAs are designed for practitioners, PhDs are designed for scholars. If your goal is to publish, lecture, or influence business theory-not just apply it-then a PhD is the higher degree. Many CEOs and board members hold PhDs, not because they need to teach, but because their research gives them unmatched credibility in boardrooms and policy circles.
Executive Doctorates Beyond Business
Not all higher degrees are business-specific. Some professionals pursue doctorates in related fields that offer broader authority:
- Doctor of Education (EdD) - For executives leading corporate training, L&D departments, or education-based startups.
- Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) - For leaders in government, healthcare systems, or nonprofit organizations managing large-scale operations.
- Doctor of Engineering (DEng) - For tech CEOs or innovation heads who need deep technical authority alongside business strategy.
These degrees carry the same weight as a DBA or PhD-they’re just tailored to different domains. A hospital CEO with a DPA isn’t competing with an MBA graduate; they’re operating at a different level of influence, shaping policy, funding, and systemic change.
Why These Degrees Are Rarely Listed in Job Postings
You won’t see ‘DBA preferred’ in a job ad for a marketing director. That’s because these degrees aren’t about getting hired-they’re about advancing beyond hiring.
Most C-suite roles don’t require a PhD or DBA. They require proven results: revenue growth, market expansion, successful acquisitions. But once you’ve hit the ceiling of your current role, a higher degree becomes your ticket to the next level-especially if you’re aiming for roles like:
- Chief Learning Officer (CLO)
- Dean of a business school
- Corporate Board Member
- Chief Innovation Officer
- Government Economic Advisor
In these roles, your degree signals authority. It tells stakeholders: ‘I don’t just follow trends-I define them.’
Cost, Time, and ROI: What You’re Really Investing In
A DBA or PhD isn’t cheap. Tuition ranges from £20,000 to £50,000 in the UK, and programs last 3-6 years. But the ROI isn’t in salary bumps-it’s in access.
Graduates of top DBA programs often get invited to speak at global forums like the World Economic Forum. PhD holders are consulted by regulators and policymakers. These aren’t perks-they’re career accelerators.
Some companies even sponsor employees. Google, Microsoft, and Unilever have funded executive doctorates for leaders in their innovation teams. Why? Because these individuals bring research-backed insights that improve product development, customer strategy, and operational efficiency.
Who Should Skip These Degrees
Not everyone needs a doctorate. If you’re happy in your current role, want to climb the corporate ladder faster, or are looking for a quick credential to boost your resume, a DBA or PhD isn’t the answer.
For those goals, consider:
- Executive education certificates (e.g., Harvard’s Leadership Program)
- Specialized master’s degrees (e.g., MSc in Data Analytics, MSc in Sustainable Business)
- Professional certifications (e.g., PMP, CFA, Six Sigma Black Belt)
These are faster, cheaper, and more directly tied to job performance. Save the doctorate for when you’ve outgrown the need for skills-and need influence instead.
Real-World Examples: Who Holds These Degrees?
Look at the leaders shaping today’s business landscape:
- Sheryl Sandberg - Holds a Master’s from Harvard, but many of her peers in tech governance hold DBAs or PhDs in organizational behavior.
- Dr. Arvind Krishna - CEO of IBM, holds a PhD in Computer Science. His research background shaped IBM’s AI strategy.
- Dr. Mary Barra - CEO of General Motors, earned a Master’s in Business Administration, but her leadership in sustainability is backed by executive education in environmental policy.
These aren’t exceptions-they’re trends. The most influential leaders today don’t just manage businesses. They shape the rules of how businesses operate.
How to Decide Between DBA and PhD
Ask yourself:
- Do I want to solve real business problems in my company or industry? → Go for a DBA.
- Do I want to create new theories, publish papers, and teach future leaders? → Go for a PhD.
- Do I need to change how my entire sector works? → Either, but make sure your research addresses systemic issues.
There’s no ‘better’ degree-only the right one for your next chapter.
Is a DBA higher than a PhD?
Neither is universally ‘higher.’ A PhD is the highest academic degree and focuses on generating new theory. A DBA is the highest professional degree and focuses on applying research to solve real business problems. Both are doctoral-level qualifications and are considered equal in rank, but they serve different purposes.
Can I get a PhD after an MBA?
Yes, many PhD candidates in business have MBAs. In fact, an MBA can be an advantage-it gives you practical context for your research. Most PhD programs require a master’s degree, and an MBA fulfills that requirement. You’ll still need strong research skills and a clear academic proposal to be accepted.
Is a DBA worth it for someone in corporate leadership?
If you’re aiming for roles like Chief Innovation Officer, Board Member, or Dean of a business school, yes. A DBA gives you credibility with investors, regulators, and academics. It’s not about salary-it’s about access to decision-making tables where research-backed insights carry weight. Many executives report that their DBA opened doors they didn’t even know existed.
Do employers value DBAs and PhDs over MBAs?
Not for most operational roles. But for executive, advisory, academic, or policy roles, yes. An MBA shows you can manage. A DBA or PhD shows you can shape the future of management. Employers in consulting, education, government, and global corporations actively seek these credentials for senior positions.
Can I do a DBA part-time while working?
Absolutely. Most DBA programs are designed for working professionals. Classes are often held on weekends, evenings, or in intensive modules. You’ll typically spend 10-15 hours per week on coursework and research. Many students complete the program in 4-5 years while holding full-time jobs.
