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2025 Best Business Administration & Management Schools in California

109 Colleges in California
61,616 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$56,357 Avg Early-Career Salary
Business Administration & Management is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #2 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 109 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Business Administration & Management Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 61,616 degrees in business administration & management annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Business Administration & Management School

Best Business Administration & Management Schools in California Your choice of business administration & management school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Business Administration & Management School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Business Administration & Management Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Business Administration
Bachelor's Degrees in Business Administration
Master's Degrees in Business Administration
Doctor's Degrees in Business Administration

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Business Administration & Management Schools in California list to help you make the college decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Business Administration & Management in California

The schools below may not offer all types of business administration degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

21 Top California Schools in Business Administration

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,609 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$98,089 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in business administration & management has to look into University of Southern California. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 1609 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the business administration & management major at University of Southern California get $41,731 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Southern California

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
429 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
3.3% Growth in Graduates

University of California - Berkeley is a good decision for students interested in a degree in business administration & management. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were roughly 429 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from University of California - Berkeley make $108,314 more than the standard business administration student.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of California - Berkeley

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
753 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
11.4% Growth in Graduates

It is hard to beat Pepperdine University if you want to pursue a degree in business administration & management. Pepperdine is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Malibu. A Best Colleges rank of #63 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Pepperdine is a great university overall.

There were roughly 753 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management program at Pepperdine University earn $45,093 above the average college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Pepperdine University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$172,128 Median Starting Salary

University of California - Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in business administration & management. UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were about 15 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles earn a boost of about $115,771 over the average income of business administration & management majors.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of California - Los Angeles

5
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
228 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
3.1% Growth in Graduates

SCU is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Santa Clara. A Best Colleges rank of #53 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SCU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 228 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent data year. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from Santa Clara University receive an earnings boost of around $83,881 above the typical income of business administration & management majors.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Santa Clara University

6
SWC Chula Vista crest
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
67th Most Popular In CA
248 Business Administration Degrees Awarded

SWC Chula Vista is a large public college located in the city of Chula Vista. A Best Colleges rank of #120 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SWC Chula Vista is a great college overall.

There were about 248 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at SWC Chula Vista in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Southwestern College

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
201 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
34.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Moraga, SMC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #148 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SMC is a great college overall.

There were roughly 201 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at SMC in the most recent data year. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from Saint Mary's College of California get an earnings boost of about $73,534 over the average earnings of business administration & management majors.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Saint Mary’s College of California

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
797 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$71,490 Median Starting Salary

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. A Best Colleges rank of #165 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a great university overall.

There were roughly 797 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo make $15,133 more than the standard business administration student.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

9
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
53rd Most Popular In CA
368 Business Administration Degrees Awarded

Saddleback College is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. This college ranks 46th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 368 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Saddleback College

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
554 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$62,340 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Orange, Chapman is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 24th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 554 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Chapman in the most recent year we have data available. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from Chapman University receive an earnings boost of approximately $5,982 above the average earnings of business administration & management majors.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Chapman University

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
528 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$93,757 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #73 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Irvine is a great university overall.

There were roughly 528 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management degree program at University of California - Irvine make $37,399 more than the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of California - Irvine

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
253 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$74,115 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of San Diego, USD is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 35th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 253 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at USD in the most recent year we have data available. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from University of San Diego get an earnings boost of about $17,758 over the typical earnings of business administration & management majors.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of San Diego

13
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
211 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$71,096 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #152 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USFCA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 211 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from University of San Francisco earn a boost of approximately $14,738 over the typical earnings of business administration & management majors.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of San Francisco

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
438 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$78,890 Median Starting Salary

University of Redlands is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Redlands. This university ranks 53rd out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 438 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at University of Redlands in the most recent year we have data available. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from University of Redlands earn a boost of around $22,532 over the typical earnings of business administration & management graduates.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Redlands

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
301 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
11.6% Growth in Graduates

Golden Gate University - San Francisco is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of San Francisco. A Best Colleges rank of #166 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Golden Gate University - San Francisco is a great university overall.

There were approximately 301 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Golden Gate University - San Francisco in the most recent data year. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from Golden Gate University - San Francisco make $41,912 more than the standard business administration student.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Golden Gate University - San Francisco

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2,997 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$65,341 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of San Diego, UAGC is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 56th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 2997 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UAGC in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the business administration & management major at The University of Arizona Global Campus make $8,983 above the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from The University of Arizona Global Campus

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2,358 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$49,988 Median Starting Salary

Cal State Fullerton is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Fullerton. This university ranks 41st out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 2358 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Cal State Fullerton in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, business administration degree recipients generally earn about $49,988 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from California State University - Fullerton

18
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
90th Most Popular In CA
181 Business Administration Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Santa Rosa, SRJC is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #121 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SRJC is a great college overall.

There were roughly 181 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at SRJC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Santa Rosa Junior College

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,960 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
2.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 25th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 1960 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, business administration degree recipients usually make about $53,738 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from San Diego State University

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,616 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
0.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 30th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 1616 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the business administration program make an average of $54,754 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from San Francisco State University

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
962 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
1.1% Growth in Graduates

UCR is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Riverside. This university ranks 28th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 962 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UCR in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the business administration program earn around $43,213 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of California - Riverside

Rest of the Top Best Business Administration & Management Schools in California

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Business Administration & Management Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
22 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA
23 Cosumnes River College Sacramento, CA
24 University of the Pacific Stockton, CA
25 California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA
26 Brandman University Irvine, CA
27 Mission College Santa Clara, CA
28 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
29 Folsom Lake College Folsom, CA
30 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
31 National University San Diego, CA
32 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
33 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA
34 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
35 Cerritos College Norwalk, CA
36 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA

Best Business Administration & Management Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Business Administration & Management Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 300 4,090
Oregon 266 2,523
Nevada 192 1,084
Hawaii 164 939
Alaska 119 356

View All Rankings >

One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, Business Administration & Management has other similar majors worth exploring.

Business Administration Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Business Administration and Management 56,024
Interior Design Management 1,733
Organizational Leadership 1,628
Office Administration 594
Supply Chain Management 504
Project Management 467
Retail Management 314
Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management 112
Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management 88
Operations Management 79

View All Business Administration Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Accounting 7,141
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods 5,860
General Business/Commerce 2,956
Business Support & Assistant Services 2,007
Real Estate 1,988
Human Resource Management 1,768
Finance & Financial Management 1,544
Marketing 1,412
Entrepreneurial Studies 1,401
Hospitality Management 1,106

View All Business Administration Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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