The Best Online Doctorate in Supply Chain and Logistics Programs

A doctorate in supply chain and logistics can open the door to lucrative careers in business and academia. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), logisticians earned a median salary of $77,520, which is nearly twice the median pay for all other occupations. Students who use their doctorate for teaching and research jobs at a college or university can potentially earn even more. The BLS estimates that the median postsecondary business teacher earned $80,840. If you enjoy logistics and want to advance your career without leaving your current job, consider earning your doctorate in supply chain management online.

Featured Online Supply Chain and Logistics Doctoral Programs

The Best Online Doctorate in Supply Chain and Logistics Programs

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Online Doctorate in Supply Chain and Logistics Programs Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

• Academics
• Affordability
• Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About Our Ranking Factors

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

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Academics - 75%

Affordability - 15%

Online Enrollment - 10%

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.

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Choosing a Doctorate in Supply Chain & Logistics Program

Many schools offer online doctorate degrees in supply chain management, so choose a program that meets your needs.

Most programs in this area begin with foundational coursework in areas like global operations, financial decision making and supply chain design. Students can further customize their course of study through electives such as human resource development, micro and macroeconomic theory, and the intersection of supply chains and information technology.

You should also expect to take a series of courses in research design and methods. If you pursue a Ph.D. in supply chain management, you must first conduct original research and then write and defend your dissertation. If you instead pursue a doctorate of business administration (DBA), you may only need to complete a capstone project; this allows you to apply your learning to a practical business challenge.

Students planning to work in academia should consider earning their Ph.D., whereas students interested in management and leadership roles may prefer to earn a DBA. Most students graduate from Ph.D. programs in four to seven years, while DBA students often earn their degree in as few as three years.

What Else Can I Expect From an Online Supply Chain & Logistics Doctorate Program?

Students in both Ph.D. and DBA supply chain and logistics programs explore similar subjects, such as advanced mathematics, quality management and organizational theory. However, the exact nature of your course of study depends largely on the program you choose. For example, some programs require their students to participate in a field experience, while other programs feature exclusively online coursework.

Curriculum for an Online Doctoral Degree in Supply Chain and Logistics

Careers With a Supply Chain & Logistics Doctorate

With an online doctorate in supply chain and logistics management, you can enter many different careers. You may work as a logistician, or you may rise through the ranks of your company to take on a leadership role like chief operating officer. Some graduates pursue academic teaching or research jobs.

Regardless of the path you take, careers in this field require exceptional communication, critical thinking, organizational and problem-solving skills.

1. Logistician:
   Logisticians coordinate their organizations’ supply chains, from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of a finished product. They also analyze these supply chains in order to ensure safety and improve efficiency. While a bachelor’s degree or certification can qualify you for most of these roles, a doctorate signals advanced expertise and can give you a competitive edge.
   • Median Annual Salary: $77,520
   • Projected Growth Rate: 18%
2. Chief Operating Officer:
   Chief operating officers oversee all aspects of their company’s operations, which include the distribution of goods and services to clients, maintenance of facilities, and the hiring and training of staff. At large corporations, chief operating officers often hold a master’s in business administration. However, a doctorate in logistics may lead to higher salary.
   • Median Annual Salary: $100,090
   • Projected Growth Rate: 3%
3. Postsecondary Business Teacher:
   Postsecondary teachers instruct students and conduct research at colleges and universities. They must also take on a wide range of administrative responsibilities, such as mentoring students or designing curricula for doctorate in supply chain management programs. Generally speaking, you must hold a doctorate to teach at this level.
   • Median Annual Salary: $80,8400
   • Projected Growth Rate: 8%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics