Data analytics is everywhere these days—in every industry, government, nonprofit, and business organization. With all the advanced technological capabilities we now have, it is imperative to have qualified leaders who know how to apply the data to improve decision-making, smooth the flow of business, and make the world a better place. With technology zooming forward so quickly, there are shortages of leaders who understand how to use our technological tools, so upgrading your educational credentials to make you one of these rare specialists is a terrific idea. Good data is only as good as the people who use it, so getting your PhD in data analytics online is a great way to learn these skills while you continue working in your current career.
What is Business Data Analytics?
Data analytics is the practice of collecting and analyzing various sorts of information to detect trends and correlations. When you apply data analysis in a business context, sometimes called business intelligence or business analytics, you use the insights from the data to power decisions in business.
You can draw data from multiple sources, including observational data, also called qualitative data, and quantitative data, which is numeric. Gathering, assessing the quality of the data, protecting the data, and analyzing it are all involved in the field of business analytics. Beyond the advanced ability to handle data analysis, the best PhD in business analytics programs work on advanced critical thinking skills to effectively apply the research to real-world problems in business, education, manufacturing, finance, and all sectors of the economy.
GetEducated Sponsored Programs
- Grand Canyon University Doctor of Business Administration / Data Analytics - Qualitative Research
- Grand Canyon University Doctor of Business Administration / Data Analytics - Quantitative Research
- Grand Canyon University Doctor of Business Administration / Data Analytics - Qualitative Research (Bridge to DBA)
Types of PhD in Data Analytics Online Degrees
As we mentioned above, business data analytics goes beyond basic data analysis to impact the decision-making process. Conversely, PhD data science programs are typically more focused on preparing and managing data for later analysis. In that case, they would most likely fall under the heading of degrees in data science than in data analytics for business. Data science is more of an information technology specialty that may work within business contexts but tends to be more technical. That is not to say that business analytics is not technical because it certainly is. But the difference is that business analytics applies data analysis using business principles and concepts.
Getting a master’s degree in data analytics is certainly a positive step, but a doctorate would set you apart from other job candidates in this field. A PhD in data analytics online program is designed for those who already have an MBA or related degree to take you into advanced territory in both data analysis and business theory and research. Doctoral programs are designed for those in leadership positions or who aspire to take their managerial experience and apply it to higher levels of leadership. Business analytics is an in-demand skill, no matter the degree level you seek, but PhD data analytics degrees will help you rise to the top of your chosen industry.
Another difference you may find is that doctoral programs in business data analysis can be either Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees with a specialty in business analytics. While PhDs are generally meant more for scholars or those who wish to teach and do research, the PhD in data analytics online degree programs tend to be for working professionals who want to apply research to everyday problems in business. The difference between a DBA and a PhD in this subject area is smaller than you might find in other fields of study. While you absolutely can take your PhD in data analytics and become a researcher or professor, you can also use this degree to advance your career in industry. In business, you are likely to use your advanced skills to help companies and organizations use the latest AI and machine learning tools to improve outcomes.
What to Expect from a PhD in Business Analytics
The doctoral programs for business analytics are all designed for professionals with active careers, so they are meant to have the flexibility to work around an executive or manager’s busy life. The programs are generally asynchronous so that you can sign on to do your study at whatever time works for you, and if they have on-campus residency requirements, these tend to be shorter than a week in length. Some programs don’t require any campus visits, while others require one visit a year. This makes programs more accessible to professionals around the country and the globe who want to delve into this critical specialty.
Programs are usually two to three years in length with a part-time schedule, usually scheduling just one class at a time. As a result, the peer students you meet in these advanced programs will be exciting and varied professionals. In addition, the cohort of students will often progress through courses together, allowing you to form deeper connections with your fellow doctoral students. These connections can be powerful and help not only your educational journey but extend to becoming important professional colleagues as you move into more specialization in data analytics in your chosen industry.
While programs may be part-time, they will be rigorous and advanced in their content. You will learn techniques for scholarly research, business concepts, data analytics to understand and apply technical concepts to business information. You will perform your research project and be required to do a doctoral dissertation that will advance the field of knowledge in business analytics. Some programs begin the process of preparing for the dissertation early on. In contrast, other programs will concentrate more on coursework in the first year or two of the program before starting the dissertation process. Some doctoral programs have qualifying exams as part of their curriculum before you progress to writing your dissertation, but since this is more of an applied field, that may not be a part of the program you choose.
Salary & Careers With a PhD in Business Analytics
When you get your PhD in data analytics online, you can expect that the degree will help you advance to higher levels of leadership within the industry or organization where you currently work. Alternately, you may wish to switch to another industry with your business acumen and data analytics skills. Common job titles for those who get a doctorate in business data analytics include:
- Chief executive officer.
- Chief data officer.
- Strategic innovation manager.
- Business intelligence director.
- Business intelligence solutions architect.
- Professor.
- Data engineer.
- Data scientist.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has general data on all professions, though most are not specific to business data analytics professions. As you might expect, salaries in these professions are high. CEO’s median salary is $197,840, with many industry categories having average salaries close to or over a quarter million dollars a year. Chief data officer titles would fall under the general category of top executives, who make a median salary of $107,680. However, for this specialty, the wages may be higher than other executive titles because of the demand. While management analysts, which could include innovations managers, have a median salary of $87,660, the job outlook is excellent, with job growth projected to be much faster than average at 14%. More specifically, for business intelligence analysts, the median salary is $98,230, and growth is also projected to be high, at 15% or more. Data scientists are projected to have the same stats as business intelligence analysts, though this will, of course, vary by industry. Professors in business fields make a median salary of $107,270, higher than other post-secondary subjects.
Other sources project much higher wages for these professions. Comparably.com has pegged salaries for chief data officers at an average of $236,250, while Salary.com has the average complete compensation for a CDO at $296,290. The Economic Research Institute puts the average salary for a Director of Business Intelligence at $168,109. Glassdoor has found data scientists to get an average salary of $121,107. As you can see, different sources may have more recent data on compensation or be analyzing the data on salaries for more lucrative industries. No matter the exact numbers, they are all quite high for leaders within the business data analytics field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statics, the general outlook for jobs involving data is excellent, which predicts that big data will be crucial for job seekers in the year 2040. Getting a PhD in data analytics online is a perfect way to prepare yourself to be right in the middle of things as big data continues its rise in importance in the world of industry, governance, and nonprofits. If you have been working in a related profession for at least five years, you have your master’s degree, and you are interested in data analytics, now would be the perfect time to upgrade your skills and qualifications to take advantage of the boom in the use of business intelligence to make decisions for industries that are transforming to the new digital reality at a dizzying pace. Be ready for what is next and get your career aligned with the latest and most in-demand skillset: business intelligence.
Top 3 PhD in Data Analytics Online Under $51,000
Below you’ll find the best PhD in data analytics online programs. A minimum of 80% of each program’s requirements can be completed online.
Marymount University
Degree: Doctorate of Business Administration / Business Intelligence
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $41,040The highly personalized Doctorate of Business Administration / Business Intelligence from Marymount University offers professionals with an MBA, a master’s in a business specialty, or a master’s in IT a chance to hone their skills to do applied research in this highly sought-after field. The program is entirely online, part-time, and takes just under three years to complete—or eight terms. There are 36 credits in the program, including such courses as Ethical Leadership for Success in Uncertain Times, Strategy in a Changing Business Climate, Maximizing Digital Transformation, Economics for Business Decision-Making, Fostering Creativity in the Workplace, Risk Management in an Unsecure World, and Applied Research: The Dissertation Proposal. The curriculum includes coverage of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, creative problem-solving, and business analytics. The program sits at the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, data insights, and organizational change. Housed in the college’s Department of Business, Innovation, Leadership, and Technology, students are exposed to a forward-looking approach to business education.
The Marymount University DBA program prepares leaders to make data-driven decisions, improving higher-level thinking and research skills for executive leadership positions in today’s business climate. This interdisciplinary program is taught by faculty from the Washington, DC area who are socially conscious, diverse, and passionate about sharing their expertise. Students will work on the concurrent dissertation model to develop their ideas for the final piece of their degree while they progress through courses. The program’s orientation is towards applied research for real-world business problems, utilizing sound research methods to solve the most pressing issues in business by using data analytics as a guide. Applicants need to have five to ten years of professional experience and a 3.5 GPA on their transcripts. Marymount’s DBA in Business Intelligence is ideal for professionals looking to advance to the highest levels of leadership, shift to more data-driven decision-making, lead digital transformation and organizational change, and stand out in a marketplace filled with MBAs.
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Doctorate of Business Administration / Business IntelligenceGrand Canyon University
Degrees: Doctor of Business Administration / Data Analytics – Qualitative Research & Doctor of Business Administration / Data Analytics – Quantitative Research
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $47,270Grand Canyon University offers two different flavors of data analytics doctoral degrees: qualitative and quantitative. In addition, there is a bridge program for students who would like to enroll in the DBA but have their master’s degree in a subject other than business administration. The programs are perfect for business, community, or industry leaders who want to apply analysis of either observed or numerically measured data to real-world problems they face in their jobs. GCU is a Christian institution that allows students to apply ethics and values to their studies. Still, this program, which sits in the School of Doctoral Studies, offers a strong grounding in applying research skills in practical settings. Students will study using data and business intelligence to solve problems from a servant leadership perspective. Graduates will be prepared to work in various industries and many different job titles. Topics Covered in the program include business analytics, economics for leaders, current and emerging issues in financial management, data collection and management, applying microeconomic principles, and using business intelligence for competitive advantage.
The 60-credit program is available online or can be taken in the evenings. Students will learn how to collect, clean, assess, and analyze data in either concentration. Courses include Introduction to Research, Foundations of Research Design, The Literature Landscape: Business, Predictive Modeling, Economics for Business Decisions, The Sustainable Future, and Enterprise Data Complexity. In addition, there are two or three 5-day residencies required to work on the dissertation. Applicants should have a 3.4 GPA on their master’s transcripts, although they may accept those with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.3 with conditions. Those who do not have an MBA should take the bridge program in either qualitative or quantitative data analytics. Students may be able to transfer in up to nine credits from another doctoral program. The dissertation process is woven into the curriculum with mentorship provided by expert faculty.
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Doctor of Business Administration / Data Analytics - Qualitative Research
Doctor of Business Administration / Data Analytics - Quantitative ResearchCapitol Technology University
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Business Analytics & Data Science
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $50,532The PhD in Data Analytics online program from Capitol Technology University prepares leaders for senior public or private sector positions. The 54-66 credit Doctor of Philosophy in Business Analytics & Data Science program is designed to be completed part-time, with students taking one course at a time. Three short residency courses are required within the three-year program, but all other classes are online in 8-week or 16-week formats. Courses in the degree include Management Theory in a Global Economy, Organizational Change and Information Systems Implementation and Practice, Applied Statistics and Visualization for Analytics, Applied Research in Management and Decision Sciences, Professional Ethics and Leadership, Problem Solving and Decision-Making Using Quantitative Methods, and Dissertation Research. In addition, several electives are available for students to customize their degrees to their particular interests.
The rigorous focus of the program will allow professional students to understand decision sciences in a global context while strengthening their critical thinking and research skills. Learning objectives include advanced skills in data handling, integrating divergent perspectives into decisions, validating data integrity and quality, analyzing and comparing data to uncover trends and more. Students will be prepared to present scholarly research through appropriate channels and will complete a significant piece of scholarly research in data analytics. Students can start the program with a cohort in the fall or spring term and have classes during the summer term. Applicants should have a relevant master’s degree and at least five years of professional experience. Out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate as in-state students, and there are tuition discounts for first responders, community college and high school faculty and staff, department of defense employees, and employees of EdAssist companies. Military benefits are accepted for this program as well. The degree from Capitol Technology University is one of the best PhD in business analytics programs for working professionals with flexible scheduling and reasonable tuition.
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Doctor of Philosophy in Business Analytics & Data Science
Start a PhD in Data Analytics Online Today
With some of the best PhD in business analytics degrees available for part-time study, there is no reason not to get out there and start on a program in this essential field. Earning your PhD in data analytics online is convenient, cost-effective, and will level up your career opportunities to make more money while achieving your dreams. Study to make better decisions with data, and make a decision that will change your life for the better.