Forbes Advisor Education ranks Columbia International University’s online Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), as one of the best in the nation for 2025, ranking it at #3.
A Doctor of Business Administration degree is the highest academic credential available in business. Forbes notes that “earning this degree can make it easier to maintain your job while you gain specialized knowledge and skills to stand out from the crowd.”
Forbes ranked CIU #3 because instead of a dissertation, D.B.A. students participate in a mentorship program that provides individualized guidance and career advice.
Dr. Kevin Jones, dean of CIU Global, CIU’s online programs, emphasizes what Forbes acknowledges, that this approach gives business professionals an advantage in the workplace.
“The doctoral project is a way to influence the student’s organization or context by applying research to real business challenges, rather than focusing purely on theory,” Jones said.
He also says the program is ideal for a professional whose goal is to advance to roles such as senior executive, consultant, business researcher, or possibly university teaching in business or leadership.
Jones adds that the program is especially attractive to professionals “who value leadership, ethics, and possibly a faith-based worldview in their business practice.”
“If you already have significant professional experience, a master’s degree or equivalent, a busy schedule, and you want a practical, leadership-and-values oriented D.B.A, then CIU could be a strong fit,” Jones said.
The Forbes ranking also noted that “CIU boasts the highest overall graduation rate of all the schools on our list, showing its commitment to student success.”
CIU institutional accreditation includes The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).
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Founded in 1923, Columbia International University is private, Christian and multidenominational. With over 3,100 students studying on campus or online, CIU specializes in Bible-centered professional development that prepares students to impact the nations with the message of Christ in ministry, missions and the marketplace. CIU is recognized for its emphasis on biblical authority and world evangelization. www.ciu.edu
