2023 Most Popular Business Schools in California
A business student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
The Most Popular Business Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Business Degree Central has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 303 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Business Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Southern California is a great place for business students. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 4,043 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,661 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $489.After graduating from USC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $65,044 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
Out of the 303 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Fullerton, California, the large public school handed out 2,804 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Cal State Fullerton accumulate an average of $17,931 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 $191 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cal State Fullerton graduates make an average of $47,875 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in California list. San Diego State University is a large public school located in San Diego, California that handed out 2,533 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SDSU accumulate an average of $18,150 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 $251 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, SDSU graduates make an average of $45,826 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Business Schools in California list. This large public school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 2,227 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,166 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CSUN, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,924 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
San Jose State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. San Jose State University is a large public school located in San Jose, California that handed out 2,214 degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, San Jose State graduates make an average of $52,886 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #7 on the list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 2,064 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,789 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $171 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cal Poly Pomona graduates make an average of $45,201 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
Read full report on California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Irvine, California, the large public school handed out 2,025 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,722 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $209, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UC Irvine graduates make an average of $44,120 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
California State University - Long Beach ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in California list. Located in Long Beach, California, the large public school handed out 2,010 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,702 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, CSULB graduates make an average of $45,445 annually. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
San Francisco State University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in California list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,830 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $19,529 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $196 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SFSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,645 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Berkeley ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in California list. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,818 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,301 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $323, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
University of California - Los Angeles landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,807 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,277 in loans while pursuing 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. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
Pasadena City College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in California ranking. Located in Pasadena, California, the large public school awarded 1,697 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Pasadena City College accumulate an average of $11,830 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Pasadena City College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,432 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
University of California - Davis landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,519 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,449 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $281. 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. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Riverside landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. University of California - Riverside is a large public school located in Riverside, California that handed out 1,410 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,387 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $150.After graduating from UCR, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,967 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #16 on the list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 1,402 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,924 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $172. During the early years of their career, Sac State graduates make an average of $45,098 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
With a ranking of #17, California State University - East Bay did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,350 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,301 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $176, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cal State East Bay graduates make an average of $52,422 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Pepperdine University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Pepperdine is located in Malibu, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,257 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Pepperdine accumulate an average of $25,930 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 $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. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large public school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 1,213 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,067 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $377.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. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
With a ranking of #20, University of Phoenix - California did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. UOPX - California is located in Costa Mesa, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,152 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UOPX - California accumulate an average of $35,636 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 $143 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UOPX - California graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,213 during the early year of their career. Around 30% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Fresno came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in California ranking. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,039 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Fresno State accumulate an average of $17,360 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Fresno State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,058 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.
With a ranking of #22, East Los Angeles College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. East Los Angeles College is located in Monterey Park, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,029 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $12,276 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, East Los Angeles College graduates make an average of $35,172 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Los Angeles ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in California list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school awarded 1,018 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,712 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Cal State LA graduates make an average of $43,734 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Coastline Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in California list. Coastline Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Fountain Valley, California that handed out 1,002 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Coastline Community College accumulate an average of $13,825 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Coastline Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,233 during the early year of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #25, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 965 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,358 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $137 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, CSUSB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,226 during the early year of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Business Schools in California
Not only did these schools make the top 45 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Business Schools in the Far Western US Region
View Most Popular Business Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular business schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | University of Redlands | Redlands, CA |
| 48 | De Anza College | Cupertino, CA |
| 49 | Northcentral University | San Diego, CA |
| 49 | Sofia University | Palo Alto, CA |
| 51 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA |
| 52 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA |
| 53 | Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, CA |
| 54 | Irvine Valley College | Irvine, CA |
| 55 | Golden Gate University - San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 56 | California Baptist University | Riverside, CA |
| 57 | Westcliff University | Irvine, CA |
| 58 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA |
| 59 | Grossmont College | El Cajon, CA |
| 60 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA |
| 61 | California State University - Stanislaus | Turlock, CA |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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