Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

<nil> <nil>

$43,905 Average Earnings
$18,481 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for business students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Business Degree Central has created its <nil> ranking.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Business Schools in California

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
$83,159 Average Earnings
$13,926 Avg Student Debt

Our rankings named Stanford University the best school in California for business students working on their degree.

Degree recipients from Stanford accumulate an average of $13,926 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Stanford graduates make an average of $83,159 annually.

Read full report on Stanford University

#2

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
$60,587 Average Earnings
$15,301 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of California - Berkeley is a great place for business students.

On average, students take out $15,301 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $323. Once they receive their degree, UC Berkeley graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,587 during the early year of their career.

Full University of California - Berkeley Report

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
$53,838 Average Earnings
$16,277 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our list.

Degree recipients from UCLA accumulate an average of $16,277 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $278, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UCLA graduates make an average of $53,838 annually.

Read full report on University of California - Los Angeles

#4

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
$67,441 Average Earnings
$19,104 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Clara University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,104 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $657 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SCU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $67,441 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

$54,753 Average Earnings
$18,067 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 102 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the # 5 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,067 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $377 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,753 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#6

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
$65,044 Average Earnings
$15,661 Avg Student Debt

University of Southern California came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,661 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $489, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USC graduates make an average of $65,044 annually.

Read More…

#7

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
$40,268 Average Earnings
$16,986 Avg Student Debt

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #7 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,986 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $287. Once they receive their degree, UCSB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,268 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#8

University of California - Davis

Davis, California
$46,065 Average Earnings
$14,449 Avg Student Debt

University of California - Davis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #8 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,449 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $281.After graduating from UC Davis, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,065 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#9

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
$60,640 Average Earnings
$21,881 Avg Student Debt

University of San Francisco landed the #9 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,881 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $653, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USFCA graduates make an average of $60,640 annually.

Read full report on University of San Francisco

#11

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
$48,301 Average Earnings
$20,811 Avg Student Debt

Loyola Marymount University landed the #11 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,811 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $821. Once they receive their degree, Loyola Marymount graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,301 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#12

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
$52,133 Average Earnings
$25,930 Avg Student Debt

Pepperdine University ranked #12 on this year’s list.

Degree recipients from Pepperdine accumulate an average of $25,930 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $597. During the early years of their career, Pepperdine graduates make an average of $52,133 annually.

Read full report on Pepperdine University

#13

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, California
$50,025 Average Earnings
$27,136 Avg Student Debt

Saint Mary’s College of California did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #13 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,136 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $659, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SMC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,025 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Saint Mary’s College of California

#14

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, California
$56,648 Average Earnings

Claremont Graduate University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #14 on the list.

During the early years of their career, Claremont Graduate University graduates make an average of $56,648 annually.

Read full report on Claremont Graduate University

#15

Golden Gate University - San Francisco

San Francisco, California
$79,352 Average Earnings
$35,348 Avg Student Debt

Golden Gate University - San Francisco came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $35,348 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Golden Gate University - San Francisco graduates make an average of $79,352 annually.

Read More…

#16

University of California - Irvine

Irvine, California
$44,120 Average Earnings
$16,722 Avg Student Debt

University of California - Irvine ranked #16 on this year’s list.

On average, students take out $16,722 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $209.After graduating from UC Irvine, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,120 during the early years of their career.

Full University of California - Irvine Report

#17

University of San Diego

San Diego, California
$56,794 Average Earnings
$21,638 Avg Student Debt

University of San Diego did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #17 on the list.

On average, students take out $21,638 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $796, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from USD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,794 during the early years of their career.

Full University of San Diego Report

#18

Chapman University

Orange, California
$44,723 Average Earnings
$20,093 Avg Student Debt

Chapman University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,093 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $449. Once they receive their degree, Chapman graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,723 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Chapman University

#19

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
$35,075 Average Earnings
$35,400 Avg Student Debt

Academy of Art University ranked #19 on this year’s list.

Degree recipients from Academy of Art University accumulate an average of $35,400 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $877. Once they receive their degree, Academy of Art University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,075 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Academy of Art University

#20

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California
$50,730 Average Earnings
$26,029 Avg Student Debt

Fresno Pacific University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $26,029 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $215. Once they receive their degree, Fresno Pacific graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,730 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#21

Coastline Community College

Fountain Valley, California
$36,233 Average Earnings
$13,825 Avg Student Debt

Coastline Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #21 on the list.

Degree recipients from Coastline Community College accumulate an average of $13,825 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Coastline Community College graduates make an average of $36,233 annually.

Read More…

#22

Evergreen Valley College

San Jose, California
$40,381 Average Earnings
$11,716 Avg Student Debt

Evergreen Valley College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

Degree recipients from Evergreen Valley College accumulate an average of $11,716 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Evergreen Valley College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,381 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#23

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California
$46,868 Average Earnings
$15,015 Avg Student Debt

Cerritos College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

Degree recipients from Cerritos College accumulate an average of $15,015 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Cerritos College graduates make an average of $46,868 annually.

Full Cerritos College Report

#24

University of California - San Diego

La Jolla, California
$50,251 Average Earnings
$17,172 Avg Student Debt

University of California - San Diego did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #24 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,172 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $242 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UCSD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,251 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#25

University of Phoenix - California

Costa Mesa, California
$49,213 Average Earnings
$35,636 Avg Student Debt

University of Phoenix - California ranked #25 on this year’s list.

On average, students take out $35,636 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $143 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UOPX - California, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,213 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Phoenix - California

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs.

Visit School

Find Business Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited business colleges across the U.S.