The 2022 affordability shortlist named the University of the Cumberlands as its least expensive online DBA option, with a historical estimated total cost of about $33,550. That figure—and every price below—comes from a Winter 2021 review, not a current tuition quote. Use the list as a dated comparison, then check each university’s current program details before applying.
What the 2022 online DBA shortlist actually tells you
GetEducated identified the programs below as its 2022 “Best Buys.” Its comparison was based on a Winter 2021 review, and the cost figures were valid when collected. The figures are estimated total online program costs, not current prices or guaranteed out-of-pocket totals. GetEducated notes that actual costs can vary with transfer credits, prerequisites, licensing, and financial aid, and that some program options have changed since publication.
The table is sorted by historical estimated cost, not by a newly assessed measure of academic quality or fit. It is useful for seeing what the affordability comparison included; it cannot establish which program is best for you in 2026.
| University | Historical estimated total cost |
|---|---|
| University of the Cumberlands | About $33,550; identified by GetEducated as the least expensive option in its historical comparison |
| Liberty University | $37,543 |
| University of West Alabama | $38,295 |
| Marymount University | $41,040 |
| University of Mary | $41,842 |
| Franklin University | $43,534 |
| Thomas Edison State University | $43,738 |
| Westcliff University | $43,750 |
| Concordia University Chicago | $45,000 |
| Bellevue University | $45,250 |
Each amount is GetEducated’s historical estimate of full-program online costs from its Winter 2021 review. These are not present-day tuition quotes; the source says costs were valid when collected and actual totals may vary.
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Is a DBA the right doctorate for your goals?
A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is generally a professional doctorate designed for people applying advanced business knowledge to organizational or leadership problems. BestColleges characterizes DBA students as often current or aspiring executives. A business PhD more often suits people aiming for academic or research careers. Those are broad distinctions, not guarantees: compare the curriculum, research expectations, and career preparation of each specific program.
When a DBA may fit
- You want to deepen expertise in areas such as leadership, strategy, or organizational change and apply it in professional settings.
- You are prepared to undertake doctoral-level research, even if your goal is not a faculty career.
- You can fit the program’s workload and any required meetings or travel around your work and personal commitments.
When to compare a PhD or another route
If your main aim is to conduct academic research or teach in a research-focused university role, compare business PhD programs as well as DBAs. Degree labels alone do not settle the question; examine the methods training, dissertation or project expectations, faculty research, and career support at each school.
How to compare the real cost, not just the headline tuition
Ask each university for a written estimate of the full cost to complete the degree under your circumstances. A per-credit rate is only one input; the final amount can depend on how many credits you must take and what else the program charges.
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- Tuition and required fees: Request a program-level total, including technology, course, graduation, and other mandatory fees where applicable.
- Transfer credit and prerequisites: Ask which prior credits may count, whether an evaluation is required, and whether prerequisite courses add time or expense.
- Residency and travel: Include transportation, lodging, meals, and time away from work if any campus visit or in-person residency is required.
- Financial aid: Ask how institutional aid or other assistance affects your expected bill, and whether continued eligibility depends on academic progress.
- Time to completion: A longer path can mean more terms of fees and other expenses. Get the program’s expected schedule and ask what commonly delays completion.
Compare the same assumptions across schools: credits required, transfer credits accepted, pace of study, and whether the estimate includes all mandatory charges. The historical totals above cannot answer those questions for a current applicant.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteCheck accreditation at both levels
Start by confirming that the university holds recognized institutional accreditation, then decide whether business-program accreditation matters for your plans. Programmatic accreditation is separate from institutional accreditation and may apply to a particular business program or set of programs.
Verify the status of the specific university and DBA with the relevant accreditor and the school itself. Do not assume that an institution-wide accreditation statement automatically describes the DBA, or that an older guide reflects current status.
Look beyond the word “online”
Online delivery can mean different things. A program may offer asynchronous coursework, scheduled live sessions, occasional campus meetings, or a hybrid combination. Confirm the format for the exact DBA you would enter, including any residency, orientation, or in-person requirement. If you cannot travel, get confirmation in writing that the program can be completed without campus visits.
Also ask how students interact with faculty and classmates. The amount of synchronous participation, group work, and advising can affect whether a program is manageable alongside a full-time job.
Compare curriculum, research, and the final project
DBA coursework commonly includes research methods; some programs also cover multivariate statistics or econometrics. The balance between applied business study and research training varies by school. Review the course sequence and ask how the research work connects to the final dissertation, capstone, or other project.
- What research methods and quantitative skills are taught, and at what level?
- Is the final requirement a dissertation, applied project, or another format?
- How are supervisors assigned, and what support is available for proposal development, data collection, and analysis?
- Can students pursue projects related to their profession or industry?
Walden University’s official DBA information describes students practicing research methods and data gathering while preparing a research project, and identifies the DBA as ACBSP-accredited. The University of Phoenix’s official doctoral business information lists subjects including strategic management, leadership, change management, and business problem-solving, and identifies its DBA among programs accredited by ACBSP. These are examples of program details to verify—not evidence that either school belonged to the 2022 affordability shortlist.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Confirm admission requirements and completion expectations
Requirements differ among programs and can change. Check the current program-specific admissions page rather than relying on a general guide. Before applying, confirm whether the program requires a master’s degree, prior professional experience, particular prerequisites, standardized materials, or other qualifications.
Ask the school for the expected time to completion for students with your likely course load, and whether that estimate assumes continuous enrollment. Clarify the maximum time allowed, the dissertation or capstone milestones, and what happens if a student needs to pause or repeat a course.
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Evaluate support for a working student
Online access does not by itself show how much guidance students receive. Compare the practical support available during coursework and the research phase:
- Academic advising and help planning a realistic course sequence
- Access to faculty and research supervision
- Dissertation or capstone support, including research and writing resources
- Career services, alumni access, and opportunities to build a professional network
- Technical support and clear procedures for resolving course or registration problems
Ask who provides the support, how students access it, and whether it continues through the final research project.
Quick Recap
A practical shortlist process for applicants in 2026
- Define your goal. Decide whether you need applied leadership development, academic research preparation, or a program that combines elements of both.
- Check current eligibility. Compare your background with each program’s official DBA admissions requirements.
- Verify accreditation and delivery. Confirm the institution’s status, any relevant business-program accreditation, and all online, live, hybrid, and residency requirements.
- Request a personalized cost estimate. Include mandatory fees, prerequisites, transfer-credit decisions, travel, and likely aid; do not use a historical estimate as a current quote.
- Assess the research path and support. Review the curriculum and final project, then ask how advising and supervision work in practice.
- Compare the written answers. Choose based on the combination of cost, fit, flexibility, and support—not the lowest historical figure or a ranking label alone.
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