Crestmont University touts DBA payoff for working professionals

Crestmont University is highlighting federal labor data that show doctoral degree holders earn more and face lower unemployment than workers with master’s or bachelor’s degrees. The university is pitching its online DBA as a path to leadership, consulting and academic roles for professionals who want to advance without stepping away from work.

Why it matters: - Federal labor data suggest a doctorate can deliver a measurable earnings lift for experienced professionals. - In 2025, full-time workers with a doctorate as their highest degree earned a median of $2,307 a week, or about $119,964 a year. - That compares with $1,876 a week for master’s degree holders and $1,578 a week for bachelor’s degree holders. - Doctoral degree holders also had a 1.8% unemployment rate, one of the lowest across education levels. - Crestmont University is using those figures to position its Doctor of Business Administration as a credential for senior leadership and higher-paying roles.

What happened: - Crestmont University, formerly California Intercontinental University, spotlighted the career and income potential tied to its DBA program. - The university framed the degree as a fit for working professionals seeking executive, consulting, academic and leadership opportunities. - Crestmont said the DBA is aimed at professionals who want to keep working while studying. - The university said the program is 100% online and asynchronous. - Crestmont shared the announcement from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Oct. 15, 2026.

The details: - The university pointed to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing doctoral degree holders earned about 23% more than master’s degree holders and about 46% more than bachelor’s degree holders. - BLS data also showed management occupations had a median annual wage of about $126,500 in May 2025, compared with about $51,000 for all occupations. - The BLS figures cover all fields of study and are not specific to DBA graduates. - Crestmont said DBA candidates study real organizational problems and develop research-based solutions they can apply in their industries. - The program includes four concentrations: Global Business and Leadership; Entrepreneurship and Business Management; Healthcare Management and Leadership; and Information Systems and Enterprise Resource Management. - Crestmont said the DBA includes applied research connected to challenges inside students’ own organizations. - The university said it offers streamlined transfer-credit evaluation. - Crestmont said qualifying students may be eligible for federal student loans through FAFSA. - The program connects students with a global network of professionals and experienced faculty. - Crestmont said students come from across the United States and more than 40 countries. - The university said students can complete coursework on their own schedules from anywhere in the world. - Crestmont highlighted graduates who completed the DBA while managing major life and location changes, including work in China and family obligations.

Between the lines: - Crestmont is making a broader case that the DBA is not just an academic credential but a career accelerator for mid-career leaders. - The emphasis on flexibility reflects a market where many prospective doctoral students cannot pause their jobs or family responsibilities. - By leaning on BLS wage data, Crestmont is trying to translate the value of the DBA into a simple financial return story. - The graduate quotes suggest the program is being marketed as both practical and portable across industries.

What's next: - Crestmont is likely to continue recruiting professionals who want doctoral credentials without leaving the workforce. - The university’s pitch centers on advancement into executive, consulting and higher-education roles. - Prospective students weighing doctoral options will likely compare schedule flexibility, research focus and concentration choices against other programs.

The bottom line: - Crestmont University is betting that a flexible, applied DBA will appeal to working adults who want both leadership credibility and stronger earning power.