2023 Best MBA Programs in California

Compare MBA Degrees in California for 2023

Key Highlights:

• • Comprehensive comparisons and data about tuition fees, average starting salaries, GMAT scores, and enrollment statistics for MBA programs in California.

• • Detailed profiles of both online and on-campus MBA programs in California, their strengths, unique specializations, faculty expertise, and alumni networks are included to help align your study choice with your career ambitions.

• • Insights into California's diverse economic sectors, demonstrating how an MBA degree serves as a potent tool in these industries.

California's economy is one of the largest and most diverse in the world. Known for its technology and entertainment industries, it also has robust sectors in agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. This diversity makes the state an ideal place for MBA graduates looking for a variety of career opportunities.

The technology industry is one of the most notable sectors in California, with Silicon Valley being a global hub for innovation. For MBA graduates, this sector offers a multitude of roles in companies ranging from startups to tech giants like Google and Apple. An MBA concentration in technology management or entrepreneurship could be particularly beneficial here.

California's entertainment industry, centered in Hollywood, provides opportunities for MBAs interested in media and entertainment management. From strategic planning to financial management, there are many roles that MBA graduates can fill in this sector.

In the field of agriculture, California is a leading producer of more than a hundred different kinds of crops. MBA graduates interested in agribusiness can find a wide range of roles in this sector, from supply chain management to sustainability practices.

Lastly, the healthcare sector in California is vast and continuously growing, providing a wealth of opportunities for MBAs with a concentration in healthcare management.

Compare MBA Program Averages Across

California, the U.S. and Online

Table of Best Ranked MBA Programs in California

What is the Average Graduate MBA Salary in California?

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in California is about $93,158, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $52,400 from California State University-San Marcos, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $140,553 from Stanford University.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in California is between $71,000 from California Lutheran University and $122,634 from University of Southern California. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within California is $88,186.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $93,354 from California's 65 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $52,400 from California State University-San Marcos
• Highest In-Person:$140,553 from Stanford University

Average Graduate Salaries for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $88,186 from California's 21 Online MBA Programs
• Lowest Online: $71,000 from California Lutheran University
• Highest Online: $122,634 from University of Southern California

What is the Average Tuition for MBA Programs in California?
If you plan on attending an MBA program, it's best to start thinking about fiscal responsibility. A prospective B-Student needs to weigh their tuition options. An AACSB-accredited MBA program can pave the way for a great starting salary or career advancement. An online MBA program can provide the flexibility of completing a program while being employed in your respective career.

While the average in-person MBA program in California will cost about $60,724, the least expensive MBA program is $8,800 from California State University, Chico, and the most expensive is $164,460 from Stanford University.

An Online MBA program from an institution in California will cost you between $24,674 from California State University, Stanislaus and $137,106 from University of Southern California. The average cost of online MBA programs within California is $58,060.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $60,724 from California's 65 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: $8,800 from California State University, Chico
• Highest in-person: $164,460 from Stanford University

Average Tuition for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $58,060 from California's 21 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: $24,674 from California State University, Stanislaus
• Highest online: $137,106 from University of Southern California

What is the ROI for MBA Programs in California?

Choosing an MBA program requires more than a glance at the school's reputation or curriculum. The return on investment (ROI) should take center stage in your evaluation. This measurement reveals the potential value derived from your tuition investment, putting key factors such as starting salary and career progression under the microscope.

By scrutinizing the ROI, you're not just making a decision—you're making an informed one. This approach will ensure the selection of an MBA program that provides the most bang for your buck. Checking the ROI might not be an afterthought; it could be the game-changer in your MBA journey.

While the average in-person MBA program ROI from California is 133%, the lowest ROI is 37% from University of California, Riverside, and the best ROI is 494% from Humboldt State University.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in California range between 44% from Pepperdine University and 191% from California State University, Sacramento. The average ROI of online MBA programs within California is 110%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 133% from California's 65 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 37% from University of California, Riverside
• Highest in-person: 494% from Humboldt State University

Online ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 110% from California's 21 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 44% from Pepperdine University
• Highest online: 191% from California State University, Sacramento

What is the Average GMAT Score Needed for an MBA Program in California?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

While the average GMAT score needed for in-person MBA program in California is 549, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 400 from National University College, and the highest GMAT score needed is 737 from Stanford University.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in California is between 400 from National University College to 645 from University of Southern California. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within California is 530.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 552 from California's 65 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 400 from National University College
• Highest in-person: 737 from Stanford University

Average GMAT Score for Online MBA Programs

• Average: 530 from California's 21 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 400 from National University College
• Highest online: 645 from University of Southern California

Which MBA Schools Have the Highest Student Enrollment in California?

The importance of networking, whether it's by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, and your ability to define your career goals.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For California state's MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 15 and 2,102. For part-time enrollment, the range is between 5 and 1,222.

Average Enrollment for Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 15 from Saint Mary’s College of California
• Highest: 2,102 from University of Southern California
• Average: 289 from California's 79 MBA Programs.
• Average: 243 from 879 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Average Enrollment for Score for Online MBA Programs

• Lowest: 56 from Santa Clara University
• Highest: 2,102 from University of Southern California
• Average: 485 from California's 21 MBA Programs.
• Average: 201 from 327 nation's online MBA Programs.

What MBA Concentrations Available in California?

Highly competitive B-Schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academic and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective concentrations. To meet the diverse needs of California businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 57 MBA concentrations including:

• Marketing: 62
• Management: 62
• Finance: 62
• Accounting: 59
• International Business: 55
• General Business: 54
• Information Systems: 46
• Supply Chain: 44
• Entrepreneurship: 44
• Economics: 43

Here are the top schools offering the widest variety of concentrations to choose from:

• Claremont Graduate University: 36
• Saint Mary’s College of California: 33
• University of California, Davis: 31
• California State University, San Bernardino: 30
• University of San Diego: 27
• California State University, Los Angeles: 27
• Naval Postgraduate School: 26
• University of Southern California: 25
• Hope International University: 25
• San Jose State University: 24

The Importance of MBA Accreditation

The importance of accreditation can't be underestimated. For many, knowing your school is accredited by the AACSB and regionally accredited by the US Department of Education is enough assurance that you will receive a quality education, where credits are more likely to transfer, and you will be qualified for loans, grants, and scholarships.

AACSB accreditation is considered to be the gold standard in business school credentialing. Established to promote high-quality business education in the U.S., AACSB members developed a stringent accreditation process. Members are held accountable for following an established business education framework set forth by the AACSB. With that comes MBA degrees conferrals that are widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies. This results in lucrative job opportunities.

Cities Offering MBA Programs in California

Looking for a particular city in California with an accredited MBA program? Research and compare MBA programs from other cities in California. Find online programs, programs by concentration, by average GMAT score and more.

• Atherton
• Bakersfield
• Berkeley
• Burbank
• Chico
• Claremont
• Davis
• Fresno
• Fullerton
• Hayward
• Irvine
• La Jolla
• Long Beach
• Los Angeles
• Monterey
• Moraga
• Northridge
• Orange
• Pomona
• Riverside
• Rohnert Park
• Sacramento
• San Bernardino
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• San Luis Obispo
• Santa Clara
• Stanford
• Stockton
• Turlock

MBA Program Options Available in California

Options for earning your MBA in California have never been more flexible. California MBA programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your MBA, no matter your life situation or schedule.

California has 79 Accredited MBA programs. 14 private and 25 public schools offering MBA programs.

California has 25 public schools and 14 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

79 Accredited MBA programs.  and 25 public schools offering MBA programs.

California schools offer 9 different paths to earn your MBA in California including Online, Campus, Full-Time, 1-Year, Distance Education, Evenings and Weekends, Off Campus, Part-Time and Partnership.

To meet the diverse needs of California businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 57 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

Awards for MBA Programs in California

The ranking of MBA programs is certainly not an exact science and plenty of subjective reasoning and biases come into play. We offer insights into ranking as another way to evaluate a potential MBA program.

Of the 79 accredited MBA programs offered in California, 37 of them have been recognized by at least one distinguished publication (PQ, US News, Forbes, BW, FT, Economist and MBAGuide) garnering an award as one of the best MBA programs in the country.

California schools have earned a total of 78 Best MBA awards from publications. Here are the top MBA schools and the number of awards the each program has garnered:

• University of California, Berkeley: 7
• University of Southern California: 7
• University of California, Los Angeles: 7
• Stanford University: 7
• University of California, Irvine: 7
• Pepperdine University: 5
• University of California, Davis: 5
• University of California, San Diego: 4
• Naval Postgraduate School: 1
• San Francisco State University: 1
• Santa Clara University: 1
• University of the Pacific: 1
• California State University, Los Angeles: 1
• Saint Mary’s College of California: 1
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona: 1
• University of California, Riverside: 1
• Claremont Graduate University: 1
• California State University, Long Beach: 1
• California State University, Chico: 1
• Sonoma State University: 1
• California State University, East Bay: 1
• California State University, Bakersfield: 1
• California State University, Fresno: 1
• Woodbury University: 1
• University of San Francisco: 1
• Menlo College: 1
• California State University, San Bernardino: 1
• Loyola Marymount University: 1
• San Diego State University: 1
• California State University, Northridge: 1
• California State University, Stanislaus: 1
• California State University, Fullerton: 1
• University of San Diego: 1
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: 1
• California State University, Sacramento: 1
• Chapman University: 1
• Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for California schools:

• US News: 8
• Forbes: 7
• BW: 7
• FT: 5
• Economist: 6
• MBAGuide: 37