The Best MBA Programs in California for 2027
Key Points: Best MBA Programs in California
- University of California-Los Angeles ranks #1 in California on a 96.9 Program Score, with a 93% graduation rate.
- Public schools hold most of the places on this list.
- University of California-Irvine follows at #2 with a 96.3 Program Score.
- Programs analyzed
- 9
- Average graduation rate
- 85%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $105,770
The best MBA programs in California span two very different price tags: public in-state tuition as low as $6,084 a year and private tuition topping $69,130. We analyzed 9 MBA programs across the state, scoring each on the Program Score, a composite of graduation rate, admissions selectivity, cost, and outcomes built from IPEDS and BLS data. San Diego State University is the standout value in the group. It charges just $6,084 in-state and still lands at #4 overall with a 94.6 Program Score.
Graduation rates across the ranked set average 85%, and the range runs from 76% to 93%, so a lower price tag doesn't automatically mean a weaker outcome. Whether you're weighing a University of California business school against a private MBA program, or trying to decide whether an MBA degree from a smaller AACSB accredited school is worth the premium, this ranking gives you real numbers pulled from federal data, not a marketing pitch.
The Top MBA Programs in California at a Glance
UCLA leads at 96.9, and Pepperdine closes the chart at 90.6. Longer bars rank higher.
How the MBA Programs in California Are Scored
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 9 Best MBA Programs in California, Ranked for 2027
The 9 best MBA Programs in California, ranked by outcomes.
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 93%
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of California-Los Angeles's Anderson's MBA lets applicants submit a GMAT Focus, GRE or Executive Assessment score and offers three-year concurrent degrees with urban planning, computer science and Latin American studies.
- 93% graduation rate
- Program Score 96.9
- 9% admit rate
- Three concurrent degree options
The University of California-Los Angeles lists its Master of Business Administration through the Anderson Graduate School of Management. No specific undergraduate major is required, though applicants are expected to have completed elementary algebra and differential calculus before entering. Admission is limited to fall, with three application rounds in October, January and April. Applicants may submit a GMAT Focus, GRE General Test or Executive Assessment score, plus two letters of recommendation, and the school gives preference to those with full-time work experience after the bachelor's degree. Concurrent degrees are available: an MBA/Master of Urban and Regional Planning, an MBA/MS in Computer Science and an MBA/MA in Latin American Studies, each completed in three academic years.
The federal data show a 93% graduation rate at UCLA, and the university admits 9% of applicants, so this is a highly selective path that rewards a strong record and real work history. The program carries a Program Score of 96.9 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. It fits professionals with a few years of experience who want a full-time MBA with the option to pair management training with planning, technical or regional specialties.
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 87%
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of California-Irvine's full-time MBA is a two-year program requiring a minimum of 92 units, with a concentration in Analytics in Digital Leadership.
- 87% graduation rate
- Program Score 96.3
- Two-year, 92-unit full-time MBA
- Analytics in Digital Leadership concentration
The Full-Time MBA at the Paul Merage School of Business, University of California-Irvine, is a two-year program designed to prepare students for a digitally driven world. The school says it is ranked among the top 5% of business schools worldwide. The degree requires at least 92 units and a 3.0 GPA in the core curriculum and overall: ten required Common Core courses totaling 40 units and 52 units of electives chosen to fit career goals. The first year builds business foundations, and the second year is for electives. Experiential learning, a global residential, internships and workshops are part of the design. Students may pursue a concentration in Analytics in Digital Leadership, which takes four concentration electives plus the required MGMTMBA 270. A thesis is not required. Admission weighs transcripts, work experience, essays and references, with applications accepted on a rolling basis and a final deadline typically around April 1.
Federal data show an 87% graduation rate at UC Irvine and a 29% admit rate. The program earns a Program Score of 96.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a full-time, data-oriented MBA, including those with quantitative backgrounds in fields such as computer science, engineering or statistics.
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 93%
- Admit rate
- 11%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
The Berkeley Haas Full-time MBA offers four concurrent degrees and three built-in certificates, including Business Analytics and Sustainable Business.
- 93% graduation rate
- Program Score 95.2
- Four concurrent degree options
- Three built-in certificates
The Berkeley Haas Full-time MBA offers a general management curriculum aimed at leaders in any type of organization. The program says its faculty are recognized for research and thought leadership, and that its career services help students reach jobs at selective firms. Students can add one of four concurrent degrees: an MBA/MPH in public health, an MBA/MCS in climate solutions, an MBA/MEng combining business administration and engineering, or a JD/MBA in law. Three certificates can be earned through elective courses: the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Real Estate, the Certificate in Business Analytics and the Michaels Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business. Students may also complete graduate certificates from other departments, such as the interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Food Systems. The program admits for fall only and lists its defining principles as Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always and Beyond Yourself.
Federal data show a 93% graduation rate at University of California-Berkeley and an 11% admit rate, which makes admission highly selective. The program earns a Program Score of 95.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits full-time students who want a general management MBA with the option to pair business with public health, climate, engineering or law.
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 36%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
San Diego State University's MBA offers evening schedules and optional specializations, and the school reports about 73% of 2024-2025 graduates working in San Diego County.
- 76% graduation rate
- Program Score 94.6
- Evening schedules
- Optional specializations
San Diego State University's Fowler College of Business offers a Master of Business Administration with evening schedules, hands-on learning experiences and a full range of electives. The curriculum has a 10-unit foundational core, which can be waived with a B or better in similar coursework from an AACSB accredited school, and a 23-unit professional core covering managerial accounting, business law, marketing, organizational behavior, financial management, analytics and strategy. Students complete at least 9 elective units and can add a specialization of at least 12 units, such as finance or health services administration. The school reports that nearly 73% of 2024-2025 graduates are employed in San Diego County and 80% across California, and cites a U.S. News part-time MBA ranking.
Federal data show San Diego State graduates 76% of its students and admits 36% of applicants. The program has a Program Score of 94.6 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The evening format and regional employment ties suit working professionals who plan to stay in Southern California. Students with a business undergraduate degree may shorten the program through waivers of the foundational core, while those from other fields should expect the full sequence.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 88%
- Admit rate
- 48%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Santa Clara University's online MBA offers five concentrations, and 92% of its alumni self-report salary increases within six months of graduating.
- 88% graduation rate
- Program Score 94
- Five MBA concentrations
- Online format
Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business offers an online MBA with five concentrations, aimed at professionals who want to move into leadership or start a venture. The school frames the degree around innovation, entrepreneurship, ethical leadership and technology, drawing on its Silicon Valley location. Its online master's page also lists specialized online master's degrees in business analytics, finance and analytics, and marketing. The school reports that 92% of Online MBA alumni say their salary increased within six months of graduation, a self-reported figure from October 2024. The page stresses flexible learning so students can balance coursework with personal and professional commitments, plus networking with peers, faculty and alumni at companies across the region.
The federal numbers cover Santa Clara University as a whole: an 88% graduation rate and a 48% admit rate, which makes admission selective. The program earns a Program Score of 94 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals who want a recognized private-university MBA without relocating, and who value a technology-industry network. Applicants should confirm concentration options, format and admission requirements with the school, since the page directs readers to a brochure for program details.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 86%
- Admit rate
- 31%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's MBA is built on a 360 degree business experience with regular field trips to different businesses and business cultures.
- 86% graduation rate
- Program Score 92.8
- 31% admit rate
- Field trips and elective tracks
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) offers a Master of Business Administration grounded in its Learn by Doing philosophy. The page describes a program that develops leaders for both technical and people-centered environments, with experiential learning at its core. Core courses cover economics, finance, accounting, marketing, strategy, organizational behavior and operations management. Electives come from topics such as business analytics, entrepreneurship, negotiation, marketing, people analytics and data management. Regular field trips let students experience a range of businesses and business cultures firsthand. The MBA Student Association runs guest speakers, professional development events and trips, and works with the program director on student priorities. The page lists a Fall 2026 start and says candidates are selected with care from varied backgrounds.
Federal data show Cal Poly graduates 86% of its students and admits 31% of applicants, which signals a selective campus. The program earns a Program Score of 92.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits applicants who want an experiential, cohort-based MBA with room to specialize through electives in analytics, entrepreneurship or marketing.
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 84%
- Admit rate
- 52%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
An MBA offered in full-time, part-time and flex formats that includes two real-world consulting projects and requires no GMAT.
- 84% graduation rate
- Program Score 92.2
- Full-time, part-time and flex formats
- No GMAT required
The University of San Diego's Knauss School of Business offers a Master of Business Administration in four formats: full-time, part-time for working professionals who study in the evenings, a flex MBA for maximum scheduling flexibility, and dual MBA degrees paired with a second graduate degree. The school states that no GMAT is required. The curriculum includes two real-world consulting projects, with international consulting in San Diego and study abroad options, and students can personalize their studies through concentrations. Full-time students can now pursue a STEM-designated MBA. The page frames the program around ethical leadership and business as a force for good.
USD graduates 84% of its students and admits 52% of applicants. The program earns a Program Score of 92.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The format choices make it a fit for three kinds of students: early-career applicants who want an immersive full-time experience, working professionals who need to keep their jobs, and ambitious candidates who want a second graduate credential alongside the MBA.
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 79%
- Admit rate
- 45%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Loyola Marymount University's 30-unit M.S. in Management is built for non-business majors and can be finished in 9 months, ending in a capstone project.
- Program Score 91.5
- 79% graduation rate
- 9-month full-time format
- Marketing or Sustainability concentration
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) offers a Master of Science in Management designed for people whose undergraduate degree is in a field other than business. The program is 30 units and takes 9 months full time, delivered on campus with weekday and weeknight classes. The curriculum covers accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior and business analytics. A dedicated course on career readiness, personal branding and professional skill-building helps students set a career path, and a capstone project lets them explore industries and business challenges that match their interests. Students can choose a Marketing or Sustainability concentration. Those who complete three Business of Sports electives with a grade of B or higher also earn a Business of Sports Certificate. The school reports an average graduate class size of 13 and an 11:1 student to faculty ratio.
The program has a Program Score of 91.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. LMU's federal graduation rate is 79% and its admit rate is 45%. Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, plus a resume, personal statement and two letters of recommendation, with GMAT or GRE scores required unless waived. It suits career changers who want a short, full-time reset into business.
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 83%
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Pepperdine University's Graziadio offers its MBA in full-time, part-time, online, executive and 20-month Fast Track formats, plus joint degrees with law and public policy.
- 83% graduation rate
- Program Score 90.6
- Full-time, part-time, online and executive formats
- JD/MBA and MBA/MPP options
Pepperdine University's Graziadio Business School runs several MBA formats under one umbrella. The part-time track includes hybrid, online and a 20-month Fast Track option for working professionals. The full-time MBA is taught on the Malibu campus, with courses, concentrations and a SEER certificate, in traditional, one-year and 20-month versions. The school also lists an Executive MBA for mid- to senior-level professionals and a Presidents and Key Executives MBA for CEOs, founders and senior leaders. Students from the online Bachelor of Science in Management can use a pathway that finishes the MBA in as little as 30 units rather than the standard 52. Joint options include a JD/MBA with the law school and an MBA/MPP with the public policy school.
Federal data show Pepperdine graduates 83% of its students and admits 63% of applicants, so it is selective without being closed. The master's program carries a Program Score of 90.6 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The range of formats makes it a fit for several kinds of students: career changers who can study full time in Malibu, working professionals who need evening or online pacing, and executives who want a cohort of peers. Applicants should compare the formats on the school's comparison page before choosing, since requirements and schedules differ by track.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked MBA Programs in California
The median school on this list graduates 86% of its students. The highest rates belong to University of California-Los Angeles (93%) and University of California-Berkeley (93%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 University of California-Los Angeles93% graduation rate
- #3 University of California-Berkeley93% graduation rate
- #5 Santa Clara University88% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the MBA Programs in California?
On this list, 7 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being University of California-Los Angeles at 9%.
- #1 University of California-Los Angeles9% admitted
- #3 University of California-Berkeley11% admitted
- #2 University of California-Irvine29% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private MBA Programs in California
This list holds 5 public and 4 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 95.2 public and 91.8 private nonprofit.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Where the MBA Programs in California Are
The 9 ranked schools are spread across 7 cities. Los Angeles (2) and San Diego (2) are the only ones with more than one ranked school.
Main campus city as reported to IPEDS.
Campus Size Across the MBA Programs in California
Enrollment on this list runs from 8,976 at Pepperdine University to 47,335 at University of California-Los Angeles. Of the 9, 5 enroll 20,000 students or more.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the MBA Programs in California Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of California-Los AngelesUCLA | $223,358 |
| #2 | University of California-IrvineCalifornia-Irvine | $148,411 |
| #4 | San Diego State UniversitySan Diego State | $120,682 |
| #5 | Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara | $195,995 |
| #6 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCal Poly | $108,148 |
| #7 | University of San DiegoUniversity of San Diego | $163,311 |
| #9 | Pepperdine UniversityPepperdine | $141,949 |
Four years out, medians on this list run from $108,148 at Cal Poly to $223,358 at UCLA.
UCLA leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level.
What the Best MBA Programs in California Cost, and the Real ROI
In-state tuition among these MBA programs runs anywhere from $6,084 to $69,130 a year, a $63,046 gap that tells you these aren't the same purchase. San Diego State University is the cheapest program in the ranking at $6,084 and still lands at #4 overall with a 94.6 Program Score and a 76% graduation rate. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo matches that $6,084 price tag with an 86% graduation rate. At the other end, Pepperdine's Graziadio Business School charges $69,130, and Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara both sit above $60,000.
Run the math on a typical two-year, full-time MBA and the gap gets bigger. Two years at San Diego State runs about $12,168 in tuition. Two years at Pepperdine runs about $138,260, roughly $126,000 more before you count housing, books, or the salary you give up while in school. The national median salary for management occupations is $105,770 a year, according to BLS wage data. Put those numbers side by side: the SDSU total equals about 11.5% of one year's median management salary, while Pepperdine's tuition alone equals roughly 131% of a year's pay. That doesn't mean the pricier program is a bad decision, network and recruiting access matter, but a would-be Pepperdine student needs a much bigger jump in post-MBA earnings to break even than a would-be SDSU student does.
Is There a Licensing Exam for MBA Programs?
Unlike accounting or law, MBA programs don't lead to a state license. There's no bar exam or CPA exam waiting at the end of a Master of Business Administration. What you will run into is an admissions exam before you even start: most programs still ask for a GMAT or GRE score as part of the application, though a growing number waive that requirement for applicants with several years of work experience. Passing that exam gets you in the door; it has no bearing on what you're allowed to do with the degree once you graduate.
Because there's no licensing board standing behind the MBA, the credential that actually vouches for program quality is accreditation, which is where AACSB comes in.
Why AACSB Accreditation Matters for MBA Programs
AACSB accreditation is the benchmark most employers and other business schools use to judge a program's academic quality, faculty research, and curriculum standards. It's a voluntary review, not a government requirement, and a business school has to apply and get evaluated on its own outcomes to earn it. The schools in this ranking, including the three University of California campuses, San Diego State University, Santa Clara University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, University of San Diego, Loyola Marymount University, and Pepperdine University, are AACSB accredited business schools.
When you're comparing MBA programs in California, checking a program's accreditation status on the AACSB website is worth five minutes before you check tuition. An unaccredited program can leave your MBA degree with less pull with employers and less ability to transfer credits into a different program later.
MBA vs Other Business Master's Degrees: Why This Ranking Focuses on the MBA
A Master of Business Administration isn't the only business master's degree, and it isn't always the right one. Specialized master's programs, in finance, accounting, marketing, or business analytics, pack a narrower curriculum into less time and often admit applicants with little or no full-time work experience. The MBA is built differently: it assumes you've already worked for a few years, mixes students from different industries and functions into the same cohort, and spends more of the curriculum on general management, strategy, and leadership rather than one specialty.
The Executive MBA is a further variant, built for people who keep working full-time while they study, usually on nights and weekends. This ranking sticks to the general, full-time MBA, evaluated on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, because it's the degree the widest range of prospective students search for and the flagship business master's every school on this list actually offers.
Online and Accelerated MBA Programs in California: Who They Fit
Full-time, on-campus MBA programs still dominate the top of this ranking, but online and hybrid options aren't far behind at most of these same business schools. Those formats let you keep your job and your salary while you study, usually by trading the immersive, cohort-based classroom experience for asynchronous coursework and periodic in-person residencies. That tradeoff fits people who can't afford two years without an income, or who already have a strong professional network and mainly want the credential and the curriculum.
Accelerated MBA programs compress the same coursework into 12 to 18 months by cutting electives and running through summer terms, a fit for someone who has already settled on a specialization and doesn't need extra time to explore. Neither format is automatically worse than a two-year, full-time program, but ask any online or accelerated option directly whether it carries the same AACSB accreditation as its on-campus counterpart before you enroll.
MBA Salary and Job Outlook: What the BLS Data Shows
The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't track MBA graduates as their own category, so the closest national benchmark is pay for the management occupations where most MBA holders end up working. BLS reports a median salary of $105,770 a year for management occupations, a figure that applies broadly across every business school in this ranking rather than to any single program. That number is the same whether you graduate from a $6,084-a-year public MBA or a $69,130-a-year private one, which is exactly why the tuition gap in this ranking matters: an MBA program's cost doesn't buy you a different national salary ceiling, it buys you a different network, recruiting pipeline, and in some cases a faster route into roles that pay more than the median.
For roles closer to the C-suite, the BLS Top Executives outlook is the more relevant benchmark, and it's where a Master of Business Administration from an AACSB accredited business school tends to carry the most weight with employers.