17 Business/Managerial Economics Programs
| # | School | Net Price | Program Earnings | In-State Tuition | Graduation Rate | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
|
$14,013 | $68,219 | $13,747 | 92.7% | 8.6% |
| 2 |
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, California
|
$8,931 | $42,123 | $7,008 | 69.9% | 40.0% |
| 3 |
University of California-Davis
Davis, California
|
$15,288 | $51,750 | $15,247 | 85.1% | 37.3% |
| 4 |
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, California
|
$12,840 | $41,472 | $14,237 | 86.0% | 21.2% |
| 5 |
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
|
$16,607 | $51,607 | $14,560 | 74.5% | 46.9% |
| 6 |
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, California
|
$13,707 | $36,591 | $14,170 | 76.6% | 68.7% |
| 7 |
Ashford University
San Diego, California
|
$25,321 | $61,516 | $13,160 | 8.8% | |
| 8 |
University of San Diego
San Diego, California
|
$31,265 | $69,338 | $56,444 | 81.6% | 52.6% |
| 9 |
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, California
|
$32,926 | $53,775 | $51,790 | 70.1% | 82.0% |
| 10 |
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California
|
$50,959 | $69,338 | $59,241 | 88.5% | 52.1% |
| 11 |
Chapman University
Orange, California
|
$47,527 | $52,107 | $62,784 | 80.4% | 72.5% |
| 12 |
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
|
$13,825 | $14,965 | 85.3% | 25.9% | |
| 13 |
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California
|
$5,918 | $7,675 | 54.7% | 91.1% | |
| 14 |
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California
|
$50,168 | $43,550 | 73.8% | 81.9% | |
| 15 |
University of Redlands
Redlands, California
|
$22,867 | $57,614 | 70.7% | 81.9% | |
| 16 |
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
|
$39,495 | $58,222 | 71.1% | 71.2% | |
| 17 |
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California
|
$18,902 | $63,255 | 93.2% | 2.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What explains the massive cost differences between California business programs?
Public universities like UC Davis charge around $15,288 net cost compared to $50,959 at Santa Clara University. State funding subsidizes UC and CSU campuses for California residents, while private institutions rely on tuition revenue. However, the most expensive programs often provide extensive alumni networks and smaller class sizes. Cal Grant eligibility can further reduce public school costs for qualifying students.
How do graduation rates compare between affordable and expensive programs?
UCLA achieves a 92.70% graduation rate at $14,013 net cost, outperforming many costlier privates. UC Irvine graduates 86% of students for just $12,840, while Chapman University reaches 80.40% at $47,527. CSU San Bernardino offers the lowest cost at $5,918 but graduates only 54.70% of students. The UC system generally delivers strong completion rates regardless of price point.
Is debt load manageable for California business graduates?
UC Davis graduates carry just $12,917 in debt while earning $51,750 annually, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. UCLA students graduate with $17,332 debt but command $68,219 starting salaries. However, some programs like Ashford University saddle graduates with $38,365 debt for unclear employment outcomes. Public university debt levels remain significantly lower than private alternatives.
Where do California business graduates find the highest-paying opportunities?
Santa Clara University and University of San Diego graduates both earn $69,338 annually, reflecting proximity to Silicon Valley and San Diego's biotech corridor. UCLA produces similar earnings at $68,219 despite lower costs. Westmont College graduates earn $53,775 in the Santa Barbara market. Regional economic clusters significantly influence salary potential, with tech and aerospace hubs offering premium compensation.
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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.