25 Most Affordable Doctoral Degrees in Management or Leadership Online in 2021

Alternative paths to online DBA programs do exist. Some combine leadership and management curriculum, like the online PhD in organizational leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University. The program is offered in a blended format with a required residency that takes place in July. The program emphasizes leadership within the organization through courses in advanced leadership theory, ethics and leadership, leadership and personal development, organizational and adult learning, and stewardship. Students can complete the program in three years, or amend the completion time with the help of the department chair. The program and school are accredited nationally, and the institution is regionally ranked by major publications. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 30th best regional university in the Midwest.

The Davis Doctor of Business Administration from Jacksonville University is one of the top rated AACSB-accredited online DBA programs. Classes are held monthly, on a Friday and Saturday, with individual required work that may be completed through online exchange with professors and colleagues. The program may be completed within three years and is designed for executives, policy makers, or those aspiring to faculty positions. Required courses include corporate and global strategy, marketing with a global market, organizational development, quantitative methods for executive decision-making, and transformation and change. Students may select an area of business, like management, and complete their applied research and dissertation. Jacksonville University is ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks the school #65 for best regional universities in the South.

For students interested in a PhD in management online degree program, Johnson University offers a unique option. The online PhD in leadership studies offers four areas of concentration, including educational leadership, missional leadership, organizational leadership, and philosophy and theology of leadership. Depending on the choice of concentration, required courses may include global leadership systems and policy, intercultural behavior, leadership studies and theory, organizational studies and theory, and ways of knowing leadership development. A research core is also required and includes courses in qualitative and quantitative research and research principles. Students must also prepare a formal research study in the form of a dissertation.

Liberty University's online doctor of business administration degree program offers a concentration in project management. The program implements biblical principles, and is designed to equip students with the knowledge needed to successfully lead or teach across various business or education platforms. Required online courses include advanced project management, global project management, and operations management. All business programs, including the DBA in project management, have received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Liberty University is ranked by major publications. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 80th best regional university in the South. Also, the school's online graduate business programs rank #75 in the country.

Northcentral University offers an accredited online doctor of business administration in management degree program that is designed to prepare graduates for senior management positions in corporate environments, higher education, or government and public agencies. The program is offered entirely online with no physical residency requirements. Students explore topics like contemporary policy issues in business, economics and marketing management, and leadership functions of environmental and legal compliance. The program is regionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission. Also, all business programs have received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

The online DPS degree offered at Pace University is suitable for graduate students interested in online DBA programs. The online DPS program is designed to prepare individuals as accomplished and highly skilled business professionals. Most coursework is completed online, with one required face-to-face meeting per month at the downtown campus location. There are three areas of concentration: finance, management, and marketing. The management concentration covers courses like competitive business strategy, corporate diversification strategy, government institutions and business strategy, organization theory, and strategic human resources management. Also, doctoral candidates complete two management seminars that focus on the concentration. Pace is a nationally ranked institution. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 180th best national university.

Regent University offers an alternative to an online DBA in management program. The PhD in organizational leadership is an online degree that is research-based and focuses on equipping students with ethical leadership abilities. Five areas of concentration are available, including organizational leadership and individualized program. Required courses may include organizational communication, organizational culture and climate, and trends in organizational leadership research. The program may be completed in as little as four years. While classes are delivered online, two four-day on-campus residencies are required. Regent University is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a best national university. The school's online graduate business programs rank #56 in the country. If you are looking for a recognized online doctoral degree in management or a related area at the lowest tuition possible, Regent will be a top choice.

Saint Leo University offers an affordable online doctor of business administration program that is designed to prepare individuals for teaching careers at the university level. The program also equips students with the expertise needed to work as business consultants and executives. Classes are delivered online with three required one-week seminars that must be attended on campus during the intersession break. Required courses include business innovation and entrepreneurship, global leadership and ethics, management of financial resources, and strategic management in global organizations. Saint Leo University is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 71st best regional university in the South.

Trident University's PhD in management online program combines business administration with management and organizations. The program is designed to shape individuals into researchers, scholars, and university professors. Five concentration areas are available, including the management and organizations emphasis. All courses are delivered online and include decision-making, groups and teams dynamic, organizational culture and climate, research methods, and stress and work-engagement. A required comprehensive examination includes both a written and oral portion. Also, students must complete a dissertation that shows doctoral study, knowledge and scholarship with significant research. Trident University is accredited and has received recognition from major publications like U.S. News and World Report as being a top national university.

While some schools offer online doctoral business and management programs, the University of Charleston has an online doctor of executive leadership degree that is designed to equip a new generation of leaders and managers. The program is entirely online with an annual one-week Charleston residence required. Online courses include ethics and the impact of values on decision, executive decision making, leading and developing human assets, leading in a global environment, and organizational dynamics and communication. Several research classes are also required and include culture of inquiry, data analysis and interpretation, and responsible conduct of research. The University of Charleston is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 24th best regional college in the South.

One of the most affordable online doctoral business and management programs is found at the University of Maryland University College. Courses are delivered in a hybrid format that combines face-to-face residencies with online instruction. The flexibility allows students to participate in the program while living outside of the geographic location of the university. Required courses include foundations of management theory, innovation process and strategy, leadership and change, and organizational environments in a global context. Research methods and dissertation preparation courses are also required. Students may complete the program in seven years or less. The university and its management programs are accredited, and have earned previous recognition from major publications like U.S. News and World Report.

Individuals interested in online doctoral business and management programs may be interested in the online PhD in leadership program from University of the Cumberlands. The program is designed for students who want to strengthen their content knowledge in leadership and management. According to the program website, the leadership PhD is more theory- and research-intensive than a standard educational leadership degree (EdD). The institution is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Also, the school is ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News lists the school as the 87th best regional university in the South.

One of the most affordable PhD in management online programs is offered at Walden University. The ACBSP-accredited program offers online classes and face-to-face residencies that hone research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Four specialization areas are available: finance, human resources management, information systems management, and leadership and organizational change. Depending on the student's specialization choice, courses may include information systems management, management concepts and theories, and strategies for leading people. The program may be completed in as little as thirty months. Walden University has received recognition in the past from major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a best national university.

General and accredited online DBA programs are more common than management PhDs, although curriculum delves deep into management and leadership topics. The online DBA at Wilmington University combines coursework in business, leadership, and management. The program is designed to equip students for leadership roles in various business or academia. Required courses include business intelligence, ethics in business and management, global management models, leadership issues, and organizational strategy and policy. Students must also complete a DBA dissertation or culminating research project, which requires a minimum of nine semester credit hours. Wilmington University is accredited, and has received previous recognition as a best national university by major publications like U.S. News and World Report.