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2023 Best Business Schools in California

$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 analysis found Stanford University to be the best school for business students in California.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,926 in student loans.After graduating from Stanford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $83,159 during the early years of their career.

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.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,301 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $323. During the early years of their career, UC Berkeley graduates make an average of $60,587 annually.

Full University of California - Berkeley Report

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

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

The excellent programs at University of California - Los Angeles helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best business schools in California.

On average, students take out $16,277 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $278. During the early years of their career, UCLA graduates make an average of $53,838 annually.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Report

#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.

On average, students take out $19,104 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $657. Once they receive their degree, SCU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $67,441 during the early year of their career.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. It ranked #5 on our list.

Degree recipients from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accumulate an average of $18,067 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $377, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,753 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

#6

University of Southern California

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

University of Southern California ranked #6 on this year’s list.

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.After graduating from USC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $65,044 during the early years of their career.

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#7

University of California - Santa Barbara

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

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #7 on this year’s list.

Degree recipients from UCSB accumulate an average of $16,986 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 $287. During the early years of their career, UCSB graduates make an average of $40,268 annually.

Read full report on University of California - Santa Barbara

#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. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $281 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UC Davis graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,065 during the early year of their career.

Full University of California - Davis Report

#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.

Degree recipients from USFCA accumulate an average of $21,881 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $653 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USFCA graduates make an average of $60,640 annually.

Full University of San Francisco Report

#11

Loyola Marymount University

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

With a ranking of #11, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

On average, students take out $20,811 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $821. During the early years of their career, Loyola Marymount graduates make an average of $48,301 annually.

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#12

Pepperdine University

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

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

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,930 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $597 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Pepperdine, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,133 during the early years of their career.

Full Pepperdine University Report

#13

Saint Mary's College of California

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

Saint Mary’s College of California landed the #13 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

On average, students take out $27,136 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $659. 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 came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

After graduating from Claremont Graduate University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,648 during the early years of their career.

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

With a ranking of #15, Golden Gate University - San Francisco did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $35,348 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Golden Gate University - San Francisco graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $79,352 during the early year of their career.

Full Golden Gate University - San Francisco Report

#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.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,722 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $209 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UC Irvine graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,120 during the early year of their career.

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#17

University of San Diego

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

With a ranking of #17, University of San Diego did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

Degree recipients from USD accumulate an average of $21,638 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $796 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USD graduates make an average of $56,794 annually.

Full University of San Diego Report

#18

Chapman University

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

Chapman University ranked #18 on this year’s list.

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.

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#19

Academy of Art University

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

Academy of Art University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

On average, students take out $35,400 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $877, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Academy of Art University graduates make an average of $35,075 annually.

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 landed the #20 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

On average, students take out $26,029 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $215 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Fresno Pacific, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,730 during the early years of their career.

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#21

Coastline Community College

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

Coastline Community College landed the #21 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 $13,825 in student loans.After graduating from Coastline Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,233 during the early years of their career.

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#22

Evergreen Valley College

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

Evergreen Valley College ranked #22 on this year’s list.

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.

Full Evergreen Valley College Report

#23

Cerritos College

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

Cerritos College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #23 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,015 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Cerritos College graduates make an average of $46,868 annually.

Read full report on Cerritos College

#24

University of California - San Diego

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

University of California - San Diego landed the #24 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 $17,172 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $242. Once they receive their degree, UCSD graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,251 during the early year 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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #25 on the list.

Degree recipients from UOPX - California accumulate an average of $35,636 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 $143.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.

Full University of Phoenix - California Report

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.

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