Best Business Programs in California (2026)
A Business degree in California can lead to careers in finance, marketing, operations, consulting, or entrepreneurship. The schools below are ranked by graduate earnings, AACSB accreditation, and net price — because the real ROI varies wildly by school.
#1
Menlo College
Atherton, CA
Net Price
$31,100/yr
Median Earnings
$76,419
Grad Rate
52%
Business Share
68.9%
#2
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$16,665/yr
Median Earnings
$90,768
Grad Rate
86%
Business Share
17.5%
#3
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$28,849/yr
Median Earnings
$104,736
Grad Rate
93%
Business Share
3.2%
#4
Golden Gate University
San Francisco, CA
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$87,434
Grad Rate
—
Business Share
82.0%
#5
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
Net Price
$16,075/yr
Median Earnings
$128,566
Grad Rate
94%
Business Share
0.9%
#6
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$48,381/yr
Median Earnings
$78,349
Grad Rate
79%
Business Share
27.5%
#7
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,555/yr
Median Earnings
$70,070
Grad Rate
81%
Business Share
30.3%
#8
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Net Price
$13,481/yr
Median Earnings
$92,446
Grad Rate
93%
Business Share
4.6%
#9
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$44,573/yr
Median Earnings
$49,840
Grad Rate
66%
Business Share
53.5%
#10
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$14,251/yr
Median Earnings
$80,735
Grad Rate
86%
Business Share
11.7%
#11
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA
Net Price
$35,333/yr
Median Earnings
$84,713
Grad Rate
77%
Business Share
14.5%
#12
Lincoln University
Oakland, CA
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$53,695
Grad Rate
76%
Business Share
36.4%
#13
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$12,470/yr
Median Earnings
$84,943
Grad Rate
87%
Business Share
4.8%
#14
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$12,548/yr
Median Earnings
$82,511
Grad Rate
93%
Business Share
0.4%
#15
California State University Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA
Net Price
$20,555/yr
Median Earnings
$94,784
Grad Rate
63%
Business Share
12.0%
#16
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,741/yr
Median Earnings
$80,838
Grad Rate
85%
Business Share
5.9%
#17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$11,531/yr
Median Earnings
$71,902
Grad Rate
68%
Business Share
25.8%
#18
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA
Net Price
$20,161/yr
Median Earnings
$65,464
Grad Rate
64%
Business Share
30.6%
#19
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses
Stockton, CA
Net Price
$5,524/yr
Median Earnings
$39,248
Grad Rate
67%
Business Share
47.9%
#20
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA
Net Price
$30,109/yr
Median Earnings
$68,712
Grad Rate
72%
Business Share
19.9%
#21
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$6,555/yr
Median Earnings
$62,951
Grad Rate
70%
Business Share
23.9%
#22
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$14,304/yr
Median Earnings
$67,699
Grad Rate
76%
Business Share
15.1%
#23
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Net Price
$16,109/yr
Median Earnings
$74,915
Grad Rate
84%
Business Share
0.6%
#24
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA
Net Price
$32,647/yr
Median Earnings
$57,106
Grad Rate
66%
Business Share
23.9%
#25
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$10,440/yr
Median Earnings
$64,403
Grad Rate
69%
Business Share
15.9%
Why a Business degree?
Business is the most popular bachelor's major in the U.S. (~20% of all degrees), but graduate outcomes vary by 3-4x depending on school. The right school choice matters more here than in almost any other major.
Common career paths: Financial Analyst · Marketing Manager · Management Consultant · Investment Banker · Operations Manager
Typical starting salary range: $55,000–$95,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in California
Business programs in other states
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