The two degrees DBA and MBA are almost similar. The important differences between a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

DBA and MBA: Content

1. MBA

The MBA is a general management degree with a strong practical approach.

It provides an overview on managerial functions and trains you in solving practical business problems.

In an MBA program, you are building up knowledge that is already there - and you receive that knowledge through books, lectures, case studies, or interaction with professors, classmates or businesses.

In a professional business doctorate you read academic journals

2. DBA

In contrast, the DBA is a research program where you read academic journals.

You become trained not in solving managerial problems but in becoming a researcher who is able to publish in academic journals some day.

You are reading about the theories behind what is taught in the MBA and you learn the methodological tools necessary to generate knowledge as an academic.

Tuition fees

As for the tuition fees:

Prices for Executive Masters of Business Administration and professional doctorate in management degrees differ a lot.

The Executive MBAs of the most renowned institutions take easily EUR 100,000 and more.

The INSEAD EMBA takes about EUR 100,000 - the Wharton Executive MBA takes $ 178,000.

By contrast, a doctorate in business administration for professionals at a very renowned institution takes about EUR 67,000 (Cranfield School of Management) or even $ 105,000 (Olin Business School).