2025 Best MBA Programs in California

Compare MBA Program Averages in 2025
California, the U.S. and Online

Averages	California MBA Programs	Online MBA Programs	MBA Programs Nationwide
Average MBA Tuition	$61,546	$45,860	$49,072
Average Graduate Salary	$94,552	$79,347	$82,827
Average ROI	135%	196%	185%
Average GMAT Scores	592	561	567

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 $61,546, the least expensive MBA program is $9,494 from Sonoma State University, and the most expensive is $165,591 from Stanford University.

An Online MBA program from an institution in California will cost you between $14,272 from California State University, Bakersfield and $154,339 from University of Southern California. The average cost of online MBA programs within California is $52,226.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

Average: $59,820 from California’s 38 in-person MBA Programs
Lowest in-person: $9,494 from Sonoma State University
Highest in-person: $165,591 from Stanford University

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 $94,552, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $52,400 from California State University, San Marcos, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $182,272 from Stanford University.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in California is between $69,750 from University of the Pacific and $150,314 from University of Southern California. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within California is $91,091.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $93,564 from California’s 38 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $52,400 from California State University, San Marcos
• Highest In-Person:$182,272 from Stanford University

What is the Average 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 135%, the lowest ROI is -26% from University of California, Riverside, and the best ROI is 809% from Sonoma State University.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in California range between -14% from Seaver College and 451% from California State University, Bakersfield. The average ROI of online MBA programs within California is 136%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 141% from California’s 38 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: -26% from University of California, Riverside
• Highest in-person: 809% from Sonoma State University

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 592, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 485 from University of the Pacific, 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 485 from University of the Pacific to 732 from University of Southern California. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within California is 577.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 589 from California’s 38 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 485 from University of the Pacific
• Highest in-person: 737 from Stanford University

No GMAT or GRE – Best MBA Programs in California

MBA Schools with the Most Alumni 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 33 and 2,201. For part-time enrollment, the range is between : 3.00 and : 994.00.

Average Enrollment for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 33 from San Diego State University
• Highest: 2,201 from University of Southern California
• Average: 366 from California’s 40 MBA Programs.
• Average: 296 from 511 the nation’s campus 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 42 MBA concentrations including:

• General Business: 37
• Finance: 32
• Management: 29
• Accounting: 28
• Marketing: 28
• Data Analytics: 25
• Corporate Finance: 22
• Information Systems: 19
• International Business: 18
• Entrepreneurship: 16

What Schools Offer the Widest Variety of MBA Concentrations in California?

• University of California, Berkeley: 22
• San Jose State University: 21
• California State University, Los Angeles: 21
• California State University, Fullerton: 20
• California State University, San Bernardino: 18
• University of California, Davis: 18
• San Diego State University: 16
• Dominican University of California: 15
• California State University, Northridge: 15
• University of San Diego: 15

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
• Moraga
• Northridge
• Orange
• Pomona
• Riverside
• Rohnert Park
• Sacramento
• San Bernardino
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• San Luis Obispo
• Santa Clara
• Stanford
• Stockton
• Turlock

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.

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 40 Accredited MBA programs. 2 private and 26 public schools offering MBA programs.

California has 26 public schools and 2 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

40 Accredited MBA programs.  and 26 public schools offering MBA programs.

California schools offer 10 different paths to earn your MBA in California including Campus, Full-Time, Part-Time, Evenings, Weekends, Online, Partnership, 1-Year, Off Campus and Distance Education.

To meet the diverse needs of California businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 42 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 40 accredited MBA programs offered in California, 34 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 75 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
• Stanford University: 7
• University of Southern California: 7
• University of California, Irvine: 7
• University of California, Los Angeles: 7
• University of California, Davis: 5
• Seaver College: 5
• University of California, San Diego: 4
• University of San Diego: 1
• California State University, Chico: 1
• San Diego State University: 1
• California State University, Stanislaus: 1
• Loyola Marymount University: 1
• California State University, Los Angeles: 1
• California State University, Long Beach: 1
• California State University, Bakersfield: 1
• California State University, Northridge: 1
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: 1
• University of California, Riverside: 1
• San Francisco State University: 1
• Chapman University: 1
• California State University, San Bernardino: 1
• California State University, Fresno: 1
• Sonoma State University: 1
• Woodbury University: 1
• University of San Francisco: 1
• California State University, East Bay: 1
• Santa Clara University: 1
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona: 1
• Saint Mary’s College of California: 1
• Claremont Graduate University: 1
• University of the Pacific: 1
• California State University, Fullerton: 1
• California State University, Sacramento: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for California schools:

• US News: 8
• Forbes: 7
• BW: 7
• FT: 5
• Economist: 6
• MBAGuide: 34

How We Rank the Best MBA Programs in California

MBAGuide.org employs a comprehensive ranking methodology that combines quantitative data (80% of the score) with qualitative assessments (20%) to evaluate MBA programs. The quantitative component considers factors such as student-faculty ratio, tuition, enrollment, and post-graduation salaries, while the qualitative aspect incorporates editorial ratings and school reputation, providing a well-rounded view of each program’s quality and value.

Data sources: IPEDS, National Center of Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), 520 MBA Schools, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you notice errors in the MBA program database, please contact us.

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