Degrees Higher Than MBA: Exploring Executive and Doctoral Business Paths

How do you top an MBA? Imagine investing all that time, effort, and money into getting one of the world’s most sought-after degrees, only to realize there are more rungs on the academic ladder. That’s where things get interesting. Thousands of MBA grads hit a point in their careers where things begin to plateau—excellent job titles, good salaries, and that feeling of “Is this it?” If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s something even bigger, something that commands more expertise and opens different doors, get ready. Let’s peel back the layers on what lies beyond the MBA world.

So What Comes After an MBA? Doctoral and Executive Programs Unpacked

First off, an MBA is considered a terminal degree for most working professionals—meaning it’s the go-to finish line for people aiming to lead, consult, or build enterprises. But for those who get restless or have an itch for deeper, more influential impact, there are a few heavy-hitting options above the MBA:

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• PhD in Business (or Management, Finance, Marketing, etc.)
• Specialized Executive Education (think advanced leadership courses, elite fellowships, executive master's degrees)

The higher degrees than MBA club is very exclusive. Let’s break down the top two: DBA and PhD.

A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is the practical answer to business’ real-world riddles. It’s tailor-made for high-flying managers, senior leaders, and entrepreneurs who want to wield research tools to solve complex organizational puzzles. DBAs focus on transforming business through research that’s close to the ground—think real case studies, applied leadership experiments, and innovations you can actually implement instead of just theorize. Most programs expect candidates to have years (at least 8-10) in leadership or management under their belts before even applying.

PhDs, on the other hand, are crafted for the thinkers—folks who live and breathe theories, and who want to dig into original research, sometimes for several years. Their world is academia, research, or consultancy at its most cerebral level. Graduates write big, detailed dissertations (some running over 300 pages) and often forge their careers as professors, think tank analysts, or research leaders. If you crave slow, deep dives into “why organizations tick” or “how markets really move,” this is the playground. For example, the Wharton School’s PhD in Management is so competitive, it only admits about 4% of applicants—most with prior MBAs or quantitative backgrounds.

So, which route—DBA or PhD—has the upper hand? There’s not a simple answer. If you’re eyeing a CEO or C-suite role, a DBA packs the power of research with practicality. If your head’s in the clouds of theory, or you feel drawn to classrooms and publishing, the PhD is king.

And there’s a third route: executive programs beyond the MBA. Places like Harvard, Stanford, INSEAD, and The London Business School run advanced executive education with even more select admissions than their basic MBAs. These courses—lasting weeks or months—often lead to powerful global alumni networks, certificates, or new credentials, but not always an official degree. Still, some executive master’s programs are so rigorous, they’re almost like mini-DBAs for elite professionals needing just-in-time knowledge to take on “next-level” company challenges.

Breaking Down Why People Go Higher Than an MBA: The Real-World Upside

So, why would someone already wielding an MBA want to pile on more education? The reasons are as varied as business itself, but a few stand out like neon signs in the fog.

Career ceiling. Let’s get honest: plenty of C-suite jobs, especially at global multinationals or government-linked enterprises, quietly prefer or even require a doctorate. They may not say it in job ads, but board members often lean toward someone with a “Doctor” honorific, especially when the stakes include multi-billion dollar decisions. In markets like China, Europe, and the Middle East, PhDs or DBAs in business can command instant attention.

Pursuit of expertise. MBAs turn generalists into leaders, but at some point, you may want to be “the” authority. A DBA or PhD says, “I own this topic.” Maybe you want to revolutionize supply chains, create brand-new leadership models, or design the next big thing in sustainable finance. Doctoral research is the license to own those advances.

Passion for teaching and research. If the idea of shaping young leaders, publishing studies, or speaking on the world’s business stages excites you, then a doctorate is the door. In the U.S. alone, AACSB reports that business schools need over 1,000 new faculty a year just to maintain today’s course loads. Competition for those slots? Fierce.

Global recognition. Here’s where things get spicy. The title “Doctor” carries serious weight. In the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, people love their formal titles, and a DBA or PhD sets you apart in events, boardrooms, and consulting pitches. For people aiming at international consulting stints, a higher degree than an MBA is gold-plated career armor.

But it’s not all sunshine. Doctoral work is grueling. Many people burn out. You need hair-pulling discipline, sheer grit, and time management skills at Olympic levels. PhD drop-out rates hover around 40-50% globally. That’s real talk. And if you’re chasing money alone, think twice; most senior executives make more than tenured professors, at least early on.

So, the best tip here? Know what you want—and why you want it. Don’t do a DBA or PhD for the letters after your name; do it if you want the doors those letters open. For even more industry street cred, combine your doctoral work with continued practical roles—adjunct teaching, part-time consulting, or board service. This keeps your knowledge sharp and your reputation sky-high.

The Path to a Post-MBA Degree: Steps, Costs, and Common Pitfalls

If you’re feeling the pull toward a higher degree than an MBA, plotting your next move carefully is non-negotiable. Entry requirements for DBAs and PhDs make MBAs look like walk in the park. First, most programs expect you to have worked long enough in significant leadership roles—think eight to twelve years, not just “three years post-MBA.” You’ll usually need:

• A track record in management, including measurable impact (like leading teams, steering projects worth millions, or growing new product lines)
• Academic curiosity: Admissions teams want to see that you can actually hack the rigors of research. That means submitting a research proposal, writing samples, and sometimes even passing entry exams or interviews.
• Outstanding references—often from heavy-hitters in your industry, not just your college professors.

Now, what about cost? Here’s a gut check. DBAs tend to run between $60,000 to $180,000 across top institutions, with programs at places like Harvard and London Business School costing upwards of $150,000. PhDs in business are interesting—if you get into a great research-focused school in the U.S., your tuition might be partially or fully covered, if you teach or assist research. But those stipends rarely top $35,000 a year, and you’re committing 5-7 years of full-time grind.

Another fact: DBAs are usually structured for working professionals—part-time, modular, with online options so you still pull a salary. PhDs demand the patience of a monk; most are residential, demanding near-total commitment. Some European business schools have created “hybrid” doctoral programs to attract mid-career execs who want the prestige of a doctorate but can’t afford to quit the workforce. Worth hunting if you want maximum flexibility.

Here’s where people trip up:

• Underestimating the research component: Writing a dissertation isn’t like outlining a strategy document or making PowerPoint decks. It’s months (sometimes years) of iterative drafts, failed hypotheses, and sticky data analysis. You must love the process, not just the product.
• Lack of clarity about outcomes: Some sign up thinking a doctorate is “an automatic promotion.” It’s not. It expands options, sure, but your results depend on how you leverage the title in your sector. For example, a DBA means more in consulting or enterprise leadership, while a PhD has extra punch in academia.
• Financial and work-life strain: Family, work, and study don’t always blend. You’ll need buy-in from your support system and possibly your employer. A 2023 study from The Economist found fewer than 15% of DBA finishers graduated “on time”—many stretched to 6 years instead of 3 or 4.

What’s the upside? If you beat the odds, you come out with storybook networks (doctoral cohorts are usually tight-knit, and loyal for life), experience managing complex projects independently, and—let’s not forget—the ability to stick “Dr.” in front of your name or on your LinkedIn profile. For people in crowded fields, those three letters and a strong research topic are career-changing.

If you’re stuck at “Is this right for me?” here’s a good hack: Reach out on LinkedIn to people who’ve completed a DBA or PhD in your field. Most are surprisingly open about both the struggles and the breakthrough moments—better to get the real story before you commit.

Bottom line: the world above the MBA isn’t for everyone. But for the few who want to drive big change—whether in boardrooms, classrooms, or think tanks—degrees like the DBA and PhD are the real power play. Just make sure your reasons go deeper than bragging rights or a pay bump. With the right focus, reputation, and stamina, these paths push you miles ahead of the crowd.