Cumberlands Online DBA Earns National Top-10 Forbes Ranking for Second Consecutive Year

University of the Cumberlands’ online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) has been ranked among the top 10 programs in the nation by Forbes Advisor for the second consecutive year. 

Forbes Advisor evaluated more than 400 schools across the country, considering factors such as affordability, credibility, student outcomes, and student experience. Its methodology incorporated data from trusted sources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). 

Among the programs that made the list, Cumberlands stood out as the most affordable.  

“The continued national recognition of our Doctor of Business Administration program reflects our commitment to providing a rigorous, high-quality doctoral education that remains accessible to working professionals,” said Dr. Daniel Kanyam, dean of the School of Business and Communications at Cumberlands. 

That combination of academic quality and accessibility is reflected in several aspects of Cumberlands’ online DBA, including the cost of earning the degree. 

Cumberlands DBA Recognized for Affordability 

University of the Cumberlands’ online Doctor of Business Administration is a 66-credit-hour doctoral program that costs $549 per credit hour and can typically be completed in approximately three years. * 

Forbes Advisor recognized Cumberlands as the Most Affordable Program on its list, highlighting both its tuition rate and One Price Promise. 

“The school’s One Price Promise makes the total program cost the lowest on our list,” Forbes Advisor noted. “The One Price Promise means that all expenses, including free rental textbooks, are built into the tuition price.” 

Cumberlands’ One Price Promise is designed to make education costs more transparent by including tuition, textbooks, course materials, and essential fees in a single rate. 

For current DBA student Amanda Ellis of Corbin, Kentucky, Cumberlands' approach provides both cost transparency and convenience. 

“One Price Promise is really beneficial,” Amanda said. “I know what to expect when it comes to my educational costs, but there’s also no guesswork on what books I need. It’s all automatically available.” 

An Accredited Online DBA Designed for Working Professionals 

Forbes Advisor also considered student outcomes, student experience, and credibility in its ranking. Cumberlands’ online DBA combines accredited doctoral-level business education with a format designed to accommodate working professionals. 

University of the Cumberlands is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and holds programmatic accreditation through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), providing external validation of the university’s academic standards and business education.

Students can complete the DBA online while continuing their careers, allowing them to pursue advanced study in business without relocating or stepping away from the workforce. 

Finding a flexible program that still offered the academic rigor she expected from doctoral study was important to Amanda, a financial analyst at a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center. She wanted a program that could fit around her career while providing knowledge she could apply in her current role. 

“The online format is very flexible, and I have already applied course concepts to my work,” Amanda said. “I feel confident I will continue to grow and contribute more to my professional career.” 

What Do Students Learn in an Online DBA Program? 

Cumberlands’ Doctor of Business Administration is designed to help students develop advanced knowledge in areas such as business strategy, leadership, research, and organizational decision-making. 

Doctoral-level study requires students to engage deeply with research, analyze complex business challenges, and consider how evidence can inform strategic decisions. For Amanda, the difference between her DBA coursework and her previous undergraduate and graduate studies has been noticeable. 

“It’s a lot more writing- and research-heavy than I remember my undergraduate or master’s programs being, but it also feels more practical,” Amanda said. “I’m at a point in my career where more of the concepts are directly applicable to what I do, which has made the program more enjoyable for me.” 

Cumberlands’ DBA program blends research with real-world application, which allows experienced professionals to build on knowledge gained in the workplace while developing advanced skills in analysis, strategy, leadership, and evidence-based decision-making.

For working professionals like Amanda, Cumberlands’ combination of online flexibility, accredited business education, applied doctoral coursework, and competitive tuition provides an opportunity to advance their education while continuing to build their careers. 

Explore Cumberlands’ Online Doctor of Business Administration 

University of the Cumberlands offers its Doctor of Business Administration online for professionals interested in developing advanced knowledge in business strategy, leadership, research, and organizational decision-making. 

Learn more about University of the Cumberlands’ online Doctor of Business Administration, including curriculum, admissions requirements, tuition, and career opportunities. 

*Tuition rates, credit-hour requirements, and program completion times are accurate as of the date of publication.