# Best Business Colleges in California

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-california

## Methodology

Business programs in California ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Considering a business degree can feel overwhelming, especially in a state as diverse and competitive as California. With 50 strong programs in this ranking, students have plenty of options to explore.

What really sets these schools apart are their outcomes. Key metrics like graduate earnings, completion rates, and student debt play a crucial role in determining which colleges offer the best return on investment. The list below reflects schools that not only prepare students for the workforce but also help them thrive financially after graduation.

Take for instance the University of Southern California, where graduates earn an impressive $92,498 on average, compared to California State University-Fullerton, where earnings average $62,951. While USC has a higher net price of $32,740, it also boasts a graduation rate of 92%. This contrast highlights the important trade-offs students must consider when choosing where to invest their education dollars.

## Key Findings

- USC graduates earn an average of $92,498, the highest in this ranking.
- California State University-Fullerton has the lowest average earnings at $62,951.
- Santa Clara University has the highest net price at $50,062.
- The average graduation rate across these schools is 65%.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [San Jose State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/san-jose-state-university) | San Jose, CA | 67% | $78,988 | $13,760 | $15,000 | 0.19x |
| 2 | [University of Southern California](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-southern-california) | Los Angeles, CA | 92% | $92,498 | $32,740 | $18,000 | 0.19x |
| 3 | [Santa Clara University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/santa-clara-university) | Santa Clara, CA | 88% | $109,183 | $50,062 | $19,162 | 0.18x |
| 4 | [San Diego State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/san-diego-state-university) | San Diego, CA | 77% | $64,909 | $15,364 | $15,000 | 0.23x |
| 5 | [University of San Diego](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-san-diego) | San Diego, CA | 83% | $86,522 | $30,365 | $22,940 | 0.27x |
| 6 | [University of Redlands](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-redlands) | Redlands, CA | 69% | $72,690 | $30,031 | $26,000 | 0.36x |
| 7 | [Saint Mary's College of California](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-marys-college-of-california) | Moraga, CA | 70% | $78,812 | $30,378 | $23,691 | 0.3x |
| 8 | [Chapman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chapman-university) | Orange, CA | 81% | $70,070 | $46,555 | $20,500 | 0.29x |
| 9 | [University of La Verne](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-la-verne) | La Verne, CA | 64% | $65,464 | $20,161 | $23,500 | 0.36x |
| 10 | [San Francisco State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/san-francisco-state-university) | San Francisco, CA | 50% | $68,077 | $12,278 | $15,371 | 0.23x |
| 11 | [Loyola Marymount University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/loyola-marymount-university) | Los Angeles, CA | 79% | $78,349 | $48,381 | $19,500 | 0.25x |
| 12 | [Pepperdine University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pepperdine-university) | Malibu, CA | 84% | $82,939 | $58,098 | $23,510 | 0.28x |
| 13 | [Sonoma State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sonoma-state-university) | Rohnert Park, CA | 59% | $65,986 | $12,885 | $16,705 | 0.25x |
| 14 | [Irvine Valley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/irvine-valley-college) | Irvine, CA | 57% | $49,156 | $2,090 | $6,500 | 0.13x |
| 15 | [Claremont McKenna College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/claremont-mckenna-college) | Claremont, CA | 93% | $104,736 | $28,849 | $13,500 | 0.13x |
| 16 | [California Lutheran University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-lutheran-university) | Thousand Oaks, CA | 72% | $68,712 | $30,109 | $21,669 | 0.32x |
| 17 | [University of the Pacific](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-pacific) | Stockton, CA | 68% | $78,445 | $25,447 | $19,500 | 0.25x |
| 18 | [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona) | Pomona, CA | 68% | $71,902 | $11,531 | $16,000 | 0.22x |
| 19 | [Fresno Pacific University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fresno-pacific-university) | Fresno, CA | 53% | $58,896 | $13,630 | $23,146 | 0.39x |
| 20 | [California State University Maritime Academy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-maritime-academy) | Vallejo, CA | 63% | $94,784 | $20,555 | $24,965 | 0.26x |
| 21 | [Vanguard University of Southern California](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/vanguard-university-of-southern-california) | Costa Mesa, CA | 56% | $59,541 | $21,241 | $22,000 | 0.37x |
| 22 | [Glendale Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/glendale-community-college-ca) | Glendale, CA | 35% | $41,540 | $8,365 | $8,972 | 0.22x |
| 23 | [University of San Francisco](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-san-francisco) | San Francisco, CA | 71% | $89,812 | $41,431 | $23,000 | 0.26x |
| 24 | [California State University-Fullerton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-fullerton) | Fullerton, CA | 70% | $62,951 | $6,555 | $13,750 | 0.22x |
| 25 | [Point Loma Nazarene University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/point-loma-nazarene-university) | San Diego, CA | 76% | $63,998 | $38,729 | $22,990 | 0.36x |
| 26 | [Azusa Pacific University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/azusa-pacific-university) | Azusa, CA | 63% | $66,677 | $22,212 | $23,219 | 0.35x |
| 27 | [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo) | San Luis Obispo, CA | 86% | $90,768 | $16,665 | $18,500 | 0.2x |
| 28 | [Pasadena City College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pasadena-city-college) | Pasadena, CA | 44% | $43,937 | $3,864 | $6,651 | 0.15x |
| 29 | [California State University-East Bay](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-east-bay) | Hayward, CA | 47% | $71,401 | $9,320 | $16,544 | 0.23x |
| 30 | [College of the Canyons](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-the-canyons) | Santa Clarita, CA | 44% | $49,022 | $3,702 | $9,612 | 0.2x |
| 31 | [Whittier College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/whittier-college) | Whittier, CA | 62% | $59,492 | $25,757 | $24,937 | 0.42x |
| 32 | [University of California-Irvine](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-irvine) | Irvine, CA | 86% | $80,735 | $14,251 | $15,000 | 0.19x |
| 33 | [Mendocino College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mendocino-college) | Ukiah, CA | 28% | $40,243 | $8,330 | $10,836 | 0.27x |
| 34 | [Westmont College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/westmont-college) | Santa Barbara, CA | 70% | $64,778 | $29,053 | $23,250 | 0.36x |
| 35 | [Biola University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/biola-university) | La Mirada, CA | 68% | $56,778 | $31,495 | $23,875 | 0.42x |
| 36 | [Dominican University of California](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dominican-university-of-california) | San Rafael, CA | 77% | $84,713 | $35,333 | $27,000 | 0.32x |
| 37 | [The Master's University and Seminary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-masters-university-and-seminary) | Santa Clarita, CA | 66% | $57,106 | $32,647 | $20,500 | 0.36x |
| 38 | [San Joaquin Delta College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/san-joaquin-delta-college) | Stockton, CA | 33% | $43,212 | $2,407 | $7,500 | 0.17x |
| 39 | [Saddleback College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saddleback-college) | Mission Viejo, CA | 46% | $50,874 | $4,152 | $9,500 | 0.19x |
| 40 | [Pitzer College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pitzer-college) | Claremont, CA | 83% | $69,512 | $34,191 | $16,750 | 0.24x |
| 41 | [California State University-Stanislaus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-stanislaus) | Turlock, CA | 56% | $63,188 | $6,067 | $13,540 | 0.21x |
| 42 | [California State University-Long Beach](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-long-beach) | Long Beach, CA | 69% | $64,403 | $10,440 | $14,289 | 0.22x |
| 43 | [University of California-Berkeley](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley) | Berkeley, CA | 93% | $92,446 | $13,481 | $13,000 | 0.14x |
| 44 | [University of California-Riverside](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-riverside) | Riverside, CA | 76% | $67,699 | $14,304 | $17,500 | 0.26x |
| 45 | [National University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/national-university) | San Diego, CA | 42% | $67,548 | $22,878 | $25,000 | 0.37x |
| 46 | [Simpson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/simpson-university) | Redding, CA | 45% | $54,340 | $27,817 | $18,750 | 0.35x |
| 47 | [University of California-San Diego](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-san-diego) | La Jolla, CA | 87% | $84,943 | $12,470 | $15,500 | 0.18x |
| 48 | [California State University-Northridge](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-northridge) | Northridge, CA | 57% | $59,115 | $7,021 | $13,872 | 0.23x |
| 49 | [Sierra College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sierra-college) | Rocklin, CA | 40% | $45,294 | $7,245 | $10,500 | 0.23x |
| 50 | [Menlo College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/menlo-college) | Atherton, CA | 52% | $76,419 | $31,100 | $21,750 | 0.28x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Business Colleges in California." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-california

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.