Federal labour data show doctoral degree holders out-earn master’s graduates by 23%
For seasoned professionals wondering whether another degree is worth the investment, fresh federal data offers a stark answer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2025, full-time workers with a doctorate as their highest credential pulled in a median of $2,307 per week — roughly $119,964 annually — compared to $1,876 weekly for master’s degree holders and $1,578 for those with only a bachelor’s. Doctorate holders also enjoyed one of the lowest unemployment rates across all education levels, sitting at just 1.8%.
Crestmont University, the institution formerly known as California Intercontinental University (CIU), is now leveraging those statistics to underscore what they mean for the working professionals enrolled in its Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. The message: this degree opens routes to senior leadership, executive suites, consulting engagements, and academic posts — along with the compensation that accompanies those roles.
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$119,964 > Estimated annual median earnings for full-time workers whose highest degree is a doctorate (2025).
+23% Earnings premium of doctoral over master’s degree holders. About $22,400 more per year.
+46% Earnings premium of doctoral over bachelor’s degree holders. About $37,900 more per year.
1.8% Unemployment rate for doctoral degree holders, vs. 3.4% for all workers age 25+
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*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Education pays, 2025,” Current Population Survey. Annual figures estimated from weekly medians. Earnings reflect the highest degree attained across all fields and are not specific to DBA graduates.
= A DOCTORATE BUILT FOR LEADERSHIP, NOT JUST THEORY =
The DBA differs fundamentally from a traditional PhD, which leans heavily toward theoretical inquiry and academic career tracks. Instead, the DBA functions as an applied doctorate, tasking candidates with examining real organizational dilemmas and crafting research-informed solutions they can deploy immediately within their own sectors. This pragmatic orientation explains why the credential has become increasingly tied to upper management, where decisions carry weight, complexity, and a demand for evidence-based reasoning.
BLS figures paint a vivid picture of the salary terrain in the leadership positions DBA graduates commonly target. Management occupations as a collective posted a median annual wage near $126,500 in May 2025 — more than double the roughly $51,000 median across all jobs. (See image table for further reference).
= IN THEIR OWN WORDS: CRESTMONT DBA GRADUATES =
For Crestmont alumni, the DBA’s value manifests in the opportunities it unlocks. Dr. Kenyon Askew, who entered the program without a clear sense of what a DBA entailed, discovered that its wide-ranging curriculum equipped him for leadership across multiple arenas.
“The DBA provided a broad experience applicable across multiple industries. Whether I choose to lead in higher education or take on a C-suite role, I feel prepared for any opportunity.”
— Dr. Kenyon Askew, Crestmont (CIU) DBA graduate
Dr. Yinebeb Tizazu Tessema, whose DBA research delved into long-term care systems for older adults, selected the program after scrutinizing doctoral options based on research orientation, faculty expertise, and academic rigor. He characterizes the DBA as both a leadership credential and a springboard for shaping policy and practice.
“The university is research-driven and focused on evidence-based learning.”
— Dr. Yinebeb Tizazu Tessema, Crestmont (CIU) DBA graduate
= A HIGHER DEGREE WITHOUT PRESSING PAUSE =
Crestmont’s DBA is built around a straightforward reality: the professionals who stand to gain the most from a doctorate are often the ones with the least availability to step away from their careers. The program runs 100% online and asynchronously, allowing candidates to fit coursework around their own timetables, from any location worldwide, all while continuing to manage teams, operate businesses, and tend to family obligations.
“When I started my DBA, I was a single man focused on my career. By the time I graduated, I was married with two kids. CIU’s online format gave me the flexibility I needed to keep going, even through major life changes.”
— Dr. Ryan Soriano, Crestmont (CIU) DBA graduate
“I wanted an option where I could study online but without sacrificing my other commitments. After weighing my options, I realized CIU’s flexibility and the structure of its courses were the perfect fit.”
— Dr. Andrew Early III, Crestmont (CIU) DBA graduate
That adaptability extends beyond borders. Crestmont enrolls students from across the United States and more than 40 countries. Dr. Keith Adams, a U.S. military veteran, finished his DBA while stationed in China, noting that other institutions viewed his location as an obstacle while Crestmont did not. Dr. Isabel Henriques, who had previously earned a master’s degree online, said she could attend classes anywhere, whether on holiday or at home.
Key features of the Crestmont DBA for working professionals include:
• 100% online, asynchronous coursework with no required log-in times.
• Four concentrations aligned to high-demand leadership paths: Global Business and Leadership; Entrepreneurship and Business Management; Healthcare Management and Leadership; and Information Systems and Enterprise Resource Management.
• Applied research that candidates can connect directly to challenges in their own organizations.
• Streamlined transfer-credit evaluation to help save time and money.
• Federal student loan eligibility for qualifying students through the FAFSA.
• A global network of fellow professionals and experienced faculty.
Manuel Valencia Nava
Crestmont University
+1 949-359-0045
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Why it matters: The earnings gap between doctoral and master’s degrees is not just a statistic — it is a financial signal for mid-career professionals weighing their next move. As leadership roles demand more evidence-backed decision-making, applied doctorates like the DBA offer a pathway that does not require abandoning a current job, making advanced education more accessible than ever before.
