Who Should Pursue a DBA in 2025? Benefits, Career Opportunities, and Eligibility Explained
By upGrad
Updated on Aug 13, 2025 | 7 min read | 1.22K+ views
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For working professionals
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By upGrad
Updated on Aug 13, 2025 | 7 min read | 1.22K+ views
Share:
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Do you know? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects top executive jobs to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033 |
Who should pursue a DBA? The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is good for both students and working professionals who want to enhance their careers through high-level research and leadership.
In this blog, we will explore who should exactly pursue a DBA degree, how it compares to other top degrees like MBA or PhD.
We will also checkout the eligibility criteria and practical considerations, including options for working professionals. And by the end, you’ll get a clear idea of how a DBA is the right choice for your career goals.
This section helps you identify the right candidates for a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. Understanding who should pursue a DBA in detailed way can easily help you to make your decision to take this advanced step for your career.
Explore our top DBA programs and choose the one that fits your goals:
A DBA degree is perfect for those looking to combine practical business experience with advanced research skills.
Ideal candidates include:
DBA is highly suitable for working professionals as it offers flexible learning options focusing on solving real-world business problems. Working professionals can pursue this degree without hampering their work.
Why working professionals choose a DBA:
Also Read: Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): Roles and Responsibilities
Many students usually get confused over whether they should pursue a DBA or a PhD. While both the degrees are doctoral degrees but their focus and outcomes are different from each other.
Here’s the detailed comparison of the DBA and PhD programs:
Aspect | DBA | PhD |
Focus | Applied business research | Theoretical research |
Ideal for | Professionals & business leaders | Academics & researchers |
Career outcomes | Executive roles, consulting, business innovation | University faculty, academic research |
Research approach | Practical, solution-oriented | Pure research, theory-driven |
Time to complete | Usually 3-5 years | Usually 4-7 years |
Choosing between a DBA, MBA, and PhD can be challenging. This section explains the differences so you can decide which path suits your career goals.
While both the degrees are business-focused, the MBA builds broad managerial skills, and the DBA focuses on advanced research and leadership.
Here are the differences between DBA and MBA programs:
Feature |
||
Focus | Management & business operations | Advanced research & leadership |
Ideal for | Early/mid-career professionals | Senior professionals & entrepreneurs |
Career outcomes | Manager, department head, consultant | C-suite roles, business strategist, thought leader |
Duration | 1–2 years | 3–5 years |
DBA and Phd both are doctoral degrees which are the highest level of education you can get, but the DBA generally focuses on practical solutions, whereas the PhD focuses more on academic theory.
Comparison of DBA vs PhD courses in India:
Feature |
DBA |
PhD |
Focus | Applied business research | Theoretical research |
Ideal for | Industry professionals | Academic researchers |
Career outcomes | Executive roles, consulting | University professor, academic researcher |
Research approach | Practical, problem-solving | Theory-driven |
Top Job | CEO, Chief Strategy Officer | Professor, Research Director |
Average Salary in India | INR 45 - INR 60 LPA | INR 16L – INR 35 LPA |
Note: The salaries mentioned in the table are approximate and may vary as per the experience, employer and location.
Sourced By: Ambition Box
After completing your MBA, a DBA degree can take your expertise to the next level by developing advanced research and leadership skills.
Here are some top reasons why pursue a DBA after an MBA:
A Doctor of Business Administration is not just a degree it offers many advantages as well such as it provides you with skills, networks, and credibility to excel at the highest level in business and academia.
Let’s see how it can boost your career.
DBA can significantly enhance your career by offering various job opportunities in leadership, consulting, and academic field, while enhancing your research-based decision-making skills.
How a DBA helps in career growth:
A DBA program can make you able to get into diverse, high-impact career paths in both industry and academia fields.
Popular career paths for DBA graduates:
Career Path |
Average Salary in India* |
CEO / C-suite Executive | INR 48L |
Senior Business Consultant | INR 20.3L |
University Professor | INR 16L |
Entrepreneur | INR 18L (Varies widely) |
Policy Advisor | INR 4.1L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box
If you’re ready to get one of these career opportunities and earn at the top level, our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs are built for you.
For executives and business leaders, a DBA degree is more than just a title, it’s a tool for them to get innovative, shape strategy, and influence entire industries.
Why executives choose a DBA:
To apply for a Doctor of Business Administration program, you first need to understand the entry requirements of this program. This section explains the eligibility criteria, flexibility, and whether you can pursue a DBA without an MBA.
The DBA programs are generally designed for experienced professionals with strong academic and work backgrounds.
Here are the general eligibility requirements you need to follow:
It is possible for you to pursue a DBA program without an MBA degree if you meet other academic or professional requirements.
Alternative pathways to a DBA:
Also Read: Benefits of Doing an MBA After CA
Online or hybrid DBA programs are the best options for the working professionals who want flexibility to complete their DBA degree while continuing their work.
Here are some reasons why professionals prefer online DBA programs:
Pursuing a DBA degree can be a life changing decision for you, so having the best support in your journey can create a big impact.
For your help, we are here at your service!
At upGrad, we offer top DBA programs that combines global standards, industry relevance, and personal guidance which are ideal for anyone wondering who should pursue a DBA and how to get the best from it.
Key Features of upGrad’s DBA Programs:
Ready to take the next step? Book your free counseling session with our top experts today and get personalized guidance for your DBA journey.
Discover our top Doctor of Business Administration programs and take the next step toward advancing your leadership and research expertise!
References:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/chief-executive-officer-ceo-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/chief-strategy-officer-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/professor-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/research-director-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/senior-business-consultant-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/professor-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/entrepreneur-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/policy-advisor-salary
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