2021 Best MBA Programs in California

Research the best MBA programs in California by concentrations offered, how the MBA programs are offered (full-time, part-time, online, weekend and evenings), rankings by publication, cost of tuition, number of alumni, GMAT requirements and more.

To meet the diverse needs of California businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 54 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

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. You will find 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.

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

Research additional school detail on the school summary pages, in the tables and charts below and throughout the site.

MBA Program Comparisons: California vs Online vs U.S.

Rankings 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
• Stanford University: 7
• University of California, Los Angeles: 7
• University of California, Irvine: 7
• Pepperdine University: 5
• University of California, Davis: 5
• University of California, San Diego: 4
• California State University, Chico: 1
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for California schools:

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

Salaries for MBA Graduates in California

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in California is about $93,127, 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.

In-Person

• Average: $93,317 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

Online

• 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

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 $48,184, the least expensive MBA program is $8,800 from California State University, Chico, and the most expensive is $117,444 from University of California, Berkeley.

An Online MBA program from an institution in California will cost you between $24,674 from California State University, Stanislaus and $65,340 from University of Southern California. The average cost of online MBA programs within California is $40,342.

In-Person

• Average: $48,184 from California's 65 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: $8,800 from California State University, Chico
• Highest in-person: $117,444 from University of California, Berkeley

Online

• Average: $40,342 from California's 21 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: $24,674 from California State University, Stanislaus
• Highest online: $65,340 from University of Southern California

GMAT Scores Needed for MBA Programs 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.

In-Person

• 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

Online

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

Student Enrollment for California MBA Programs

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 913.

In Person

• Lowest: 15 from Saint Mary’s College of California
• Highest: 2,102 from University of Southern California
• Average: 237 from California's 79 MBA Programs.
• Average: 186 from 876 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Online

• Lowest: 63 from California State University, Stanislaus
• Highest: 2,102 from University of Southern California
• Average: 428 from California's 21 MBA Programs.
• Average: 145 from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.

Percent of Global MBA Student Population

The MBA programs in the United States are coveted around the world and attract a healthy percentage of global students each year. A culturally diverse student population is especially important in an ever-changing global economy. With increasing globalization, a well diversified student body from outside the United States can provide much needed global world-view as well as valuable networking opportunities.

In California the percentage of students from the United States varies from a low of 52% to a high of 87%.

For online programs in  California the percentage of students from the United States varies from a low of 56% to a high of 70%.

In Person

• Lowest: 52% from University of California, Davis
• Highest: 87% from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
• Average: 65% from California's 65 in-person MBA Programs.
• Average: 75% from 590 nation's in-person MBA Programs.

Online

• Lowest: 56% from Pepperdine University
• Highest: 70% from University of Southern California
• Average: 63% from California's 21 online MBA Programs.
• Average: 76% from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.

MBA Concentrations Available from MBA Programs 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 54 MBA concentrations including:

• Management: 61
• Finance: 54
• Marketing: 54
• Accounting: 47
• International Business: 47
• Information Systems: 40
• General Business: 39
• Entrepreneurship: 38
• Supply Chain: 34
• Economics: 29

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

• University of California, Davis: 32
• University of Southern California: 25
• Stanford University: 24
• University of San Francisco: 23
• University of California, Berkeley: 23
• California State University, Bakersfield: 23
• California State University, Fullerton: 22
• California State University, East Bay: 22
• Pepperdine University: 21
• San Diego State University: 21

 Student / Faculty Ratio for MBA Programs in California

Quality MBA programs invest in the number of professors relative to the students attending the program. Commonly known as the Student Faculty ratio. Generally, the lower the ratio, the better it is for students. MBA students will get the personalized one-on-one attention from faculty mentors that have extensive experience in the industry. The Student/Faculty metric is a matter of personal preference and for those students who excel in lecture hall environments, you may not need the low student/faculty ratio.

In California the student faculty ratio for MBA programs ranges from the lowest (best) of 17:100 the highest (less desirable) of 187:25. For online MBA programs thee student faculty ratio for MBA programs ranges from the lowest (best) of 17:100 the highest (less desirable) of 677:100.

In Person

• Lowest: 17:100 from California State University, Fullerton
• Highest: 187:25 from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
• Average: 63:25 from California's 65 MBA Programs.
• Average: 129:50 from 590 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Online

• Lowest: 17:100 from California State University, Fullerton
• Highest: 677:100 from Pepperdine University
• Average: 29:10 from California's 21 MBA Programs.
• Average: 249:100 from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.

Full-Time Faculty

Highly competitive MBA schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academics and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective field. Most business professors have experienced success in the corporate world and have written extensively in their chosen field. The number of highly-qualified full-time faculty is directly related to the reputation of most elite MBA programs.

The number of full-time faculty for MBA programs in California ranges from a low of 4 professors to a high or 201.

• Lowest: 4 from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
• Highest: 201 from University of Southern California
• Average: 68 from California's 79 MBA Programs
• Average: 65 from 324 Online MBA Programs

Percent of Faculty with a PhD

Another high-level perspective to consider when determining the quality of an MBA faculty is to note the number of faculty who have earned a PhD in their respective area of excellence. Note to writer - create a fuller amount of content for this section.

In California MBA programs range from 73.10% of the faculty having a PhD to a 100.00% of the MBA faculty having a PhD.

• Lowest: 73% from Naval Postgraduate School
• Highest: 100% from University of California, Berkeley
• Average: 91% from California's 79 MBA Programs
• Average: 83% from 324 Online MBA Programs

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 in California with Accredited MBA Programs

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. The following is a list of cities in California with accredited MBA programs: 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 and Turlock.