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Is Doing a PhD Worth It If Your Goal Is to Earn Money?

Updated on Mar 25, 2026
27 min read
1K+ views
Table of Contents
  • PhD Overview
  • What is a PhD?
  • Career opportunities after the PhD program
  • PhD advantages and disadvantages

The Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, is the highest academic degree earned by an individual.

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The Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, is the highest academic degree earned by an individual. The usual duration of the program is 3-6 years, which depends on the university and the specialization. The individuals only earn the doctoral degree and the ‘Dr.’ title after submitting their coursework at the end of their program. There are various job opportunities after completing a PhD. 

dba and phd

However, individuals who wish to pursue their doctoral degree along with the ‘Dr’ title within three years can opt for the online DBA program. The online DBA program refers to the Doctor of Business Administration, which is considered equivalent to the regular PhD program. 

PhD Overview

Program

Details

PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Duration

5-6 years

Career options

Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Researcher

Average salary 

INR 3 lakhs to INR 50 lakhs 

What is a PhD?

A PhD or Doctor in Philosophy, which is considered the highest academic degree earned. Typically, the duration of the PhD program is 5 to 6 years, offered in any specialization. The program involves extensive research, a course, and a thesis. After completing the PhD, the individuals earn their doctoral degree along with the ‘Dr’ title. On earning the degree, the individuals will get wider job opportunities, preferably in the field of teaching, consulting, or research. 

Career opportunities after the PhD program

After completing their PhD and receiving their doctoral degree, there are various job opportunities open to individuals. The individuals can apply to the government and the private sector on the basis of their degree. Here is the basic idea of the various job opportunities in the government sector, along with their average salary offered after completing a PhD. 

Job Profile

Average Annual Salary (Government)

Associate Professor

Rs 4 to 8 Lakhs 

Professor

Rs 7.80 to 30 Lakhs 

Research Assistant

Rs 3.10 to 5 Lakhs

Computer Engineer

Rs 4 to 9 Lakhs

Legal Assistant

Rs 4 to 8 Lakhs

Consultant

Rs 8 to 10 Lakhs

Research Scientist

Rs 6 to 12 Lakhs

Senior Writer

Rs 10 to 14 Lakhs

Here is the list of career opportunities in the private sector after earning a PhD:

Private PhD Jobs in India

Private PhD Jobs Description

Average PhD Jobs Salary

Subject Matter Expert

Has expert knowledge in a particular subject area and offers guidance of all sorts regarding the same to fill in the knowledge gaps.

INR 8.8 LPA

Senior Consultant

Offers expert advice to various organizations to implement effective strategies that can drive more business growth and profitability.

INR 19 LPA

Product Manager

Plans and implements product strategies by delving into research and understanding user needs and involving cross-functional collaboration among teams to ensure commercial success.

INR 22 LPA

Data Analyst

Leverages their strong research and analytical skills to analyze large datasets and extract meaningful findings to help businesses evolve.

INR 6.5 LPA

Entrepreneurial Consultant

Provides assistance and expert guidance to small startups and businesses to enhance their operational functionality and profitability.

INR 16.7 LPA

Science Writer/Editor

Research and write articles for professional scientific publications and journals showcasing research expertise and advanced knowledge in the respective field.

INR 7.8 LPA

PhD advantages and disadvantages

Pursuing a PhD requires a lot of dedication, extensive research, fieldwork, critical thinking, money, and time. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of a PhD.

Advantages of a PhD

Disadvanatges of PhD

Mastery in your field

Time commitment

Opportunities to conduct research 

Pressure and stress level 

Networking opportunities

Financial Commitment

Enhanced career prospects 

Over qualification

Teaching Opportunites 

Work-life balance 

For individuals who wish to pursue their doctoral degree within three years can opt for the online DBA program. In an online DBA program, individuals will earn their doctoral degree along with the ‘Dr.’ title in three years. You can also pursue the online DBA doctoral degree while working. 

Is it worth doing a phd when an academic career is not the goal?

A PhD or Doctor in Philosophy is pursued by individuals who are interested in building their career in the field of teaching and research. The PhD program requires approximately 3 to 7 years to earn a doctoral degree after submitting the required coursework and viva. The program offers advanced skills and career advancement through which individuals can earn more by completing the PhD program.

However, if an individual's only goal is not an academic career, they can opt for the online DBA program. The Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) is equivalent to the regular PhD program, which also offers programs in various specializations. 

Pursue your Phd with an online DBA 

Those individuals who wish to pursue a PhD degree and have a wide range of job opportunities can consider opting for the online DBA program. The online DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) is a three-year program that is also regarded as equivalent to the regular PhD program. 

The online DBA program is an ideal choice for individuals who are working and want to pursue their degree without leaving their jobs. 

Key highlights of the online DBA program:

Here are a few features of the online DBA program for better understanding:

  • The online DBA program is a three-year program 
  • At the end of the program, the enrolled individuals will get their doctoral degree along with the ‘Dr.’ title.
  • The classes will be held online, where the individuals will meet their instructors online 
  • The DBA program focuses on practical knowledge and skills that individuals can use in international and National markets. 
  • The online DBA program is offered in various specializations. 
  • The individuals can take classes at their own pace and convenience 
  • The online DBA program offers advanced practical knowledge that individuals can use in both National and International job markets. 
  • On completing the online DBA program, you will get many senior-level roles. 

Eligibility Criteria for the online DBA program:

  • Individuals who have done their bachelor's degree in any specialization from a recognized university. 
  • Those having a bachelor's degree must have a working experience of 5-6 years to be eligible to apply for the online DBA program. 
  • Those who have a master's degree can apply for the online DBA program without any work experience. 

Job opportunities after an online DBA 

The job opportunities after an online DBA are:

Job Roles

Average salary 

Administration Officer

5LPA

Business Development Manager

6.5 LPA

Associate Manager

12 LPA

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

30LPA

Vice President/CF0

36LPA

Logistician

4-5LPA

Entreprenuer

8.25LPA

Organizational Development Manager

8.3LPA

Business Consultant

9.2LPA

Professor

10.4LPA

C-Level Roles

30LPA

Top Universities from where you can earn your online DBA program, along with their fee structure: 

Universities

Fees

Birchwood Online University DBA Online

INR 6,00,000

Golden Gate University DBA Online

INR 8,14,000

Rushford Business School DBA Online

INR 8,12,500

EIMT Online DBA

INR 5,50,000

ESGCI International School of Management Paris DBA Online

INR 8,14,000

Swiss School of Business Management DBA Online

INR 7,50,000


 

Edgewood College DBA Online

INR 7,00,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Manisa Das

Manisa Das

3 Years of experience/ academic writer/ freelance writer

Academic writing expert and freelancer with 3 years of experience, specializing in law, business, and social sciences. I deliver clear, well-researched, and high-quality content with a strong foundation in social science and business studies.

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