Best Value Business/Commerce Colleges in California

California State University-Dominguez Hills offers Business/Commerce programs for just $3,659 net cost, making it the most affordable option among 14 California schools where net prices reach $50,959 at Santa Clara University. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates earn $61,651 annually despite modest net costs of $15,624, reflecting strong connections to California's $3.5 trillion economy. The state's business market spans Silicon Valley tech giants, aerospace companies like SpaceX, and biotech firms that actively recruit from these programs. Public universities deliver strong returns, with CSU San Marcos charging $10,550 while producing graduates earning $44,170.

Programs

$3,659 – $50,959

Net Price Range

$48,790

Avg. Program Earnings

64.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

14 Business/Commerce, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, California	$10,550	$44,170	$7,739	54.2%	95.2%
2	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$15,624	$61,651	$11,075	85.2%	30.4%
3	Azusa Pacific University Azusa, California	$19,798	$48,432	$43,600	64.4%	87.0%
4	University of Redlands Redlands, California	$22,867	$53,497	$57,614	70.7%	81.9%
5	California Baptist University Riverside, California	$27,384	$51,586	$39,720	59.5%	79.9%
6	Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, California	$31,198	$54,996	$56,134	69.0%	87.9%
7	Biola University La Mirada, California	$28,101	$44,711	$46,704	68.8%	56.6%
8	Pacific Union College Angwin, California	$20,979	$31,839	$35,214	51.5%	48.5%
9	DeVry University-California Ontario, California	$33,294	$48,225	$17,488	42.9%	40.1%
10	California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, California	$3,659		$7,064	46.9%	89.1%
11	La Sierra University Riverside, California	$26,217		$35,910	68.1%	91.9%
12	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California	$45,723		$58,974	79.8%	41.3%
13	Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, California	$25,009		$48,132	53.4%	75.8%
14	Santa Clara University Santa Clara, California	$50,959		$59,241	88.5%	52.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Cal Poly San Luis Obispo stand out for business value?

Cal Poly graduates earn $61,651 annually, the highest among all 14 schools, while paying only $15,624 net cost. The university maintains an 85.20% graduation rate with selective 30.43% acceptance, creating strong alumni networks in California's competitive business market.

How do public university costs compare to private schools for business majors?

Public options like CSU Dominguez Hills cost $3,659 while CSU San Marcos charges $10,550 net. Private schools range from $19,798 at Azusa Pacific to $50,959 at Santa Clara, creating a $47,300 cost difference between the most and least expensive programs.

Does location within California affect business program outcomes?

Bay Area schools like Santa Clara command higher costs but offer proximity to Silicon Valley employers. Southern California options like Azusa Pacific and University of Redlands provide access to aerospace and entertainment industries while maintaining lower net costs than northern counterparts.

What debt levels should business students expect after graduation?

Debt varies significantly, from $20,951 at CSU San Marcos to $40,529 at DeVry University-California. Saint Mary's College graduates carry $23,250 in debt while earning $54,996 annually, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios for business careers.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.