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Cheapest Business Administration Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills offers the state's lowest net price for Business Administration at just $3,659 annually, while CSU-Sacramento graduates earn $46,389 on average despite charging $10,512 net. This nearly threefold cost difference among public universities reflects varying financial aid packages and local living expenses across California's 23-campus CSU system. The earnings gap between the highest and lowest performers spans nearly $17,000, with CSU-Fullerton and CSU-Long Beach graduates commanding $44,000+ salaries. California's massive economy creates strong demand for business managers across tech companies in Silicon Valley, aerospace giants like SpaceX, and the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. The state's Cal Grant program covers full tuition for qualifying students, making these already affordable options even more accessible for residents.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $25,805
Net Price Range
$45,427
Avg. Program Earnings
58.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,805 $16,100 43.5%
6 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
7 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
8 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
9 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
10 $7,871 $26,300 23.5%
11 $8,388 $7,220 18.2%
12 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
13 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
14 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
15 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
16 $11,007 $9,994 22.4%
17 $11,137 $14,718 31.1% 78.3%
18 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
19 $11,410 $14,760 50.0%
20 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
21 $12,744 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
22 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
23 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
24 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
25 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
26 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
27 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
28 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
29 $14,487 $7,437 63.2% 92.4%
30 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
31 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
32 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
33 $15,693 38.5%
34 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
35 $16,599 $14,600 42.3%
36 $17,555 $7,672 66.8% 95.5%
37 $19,761 $39,950 55.9% 74.8%
38 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
39 $20,170 $11,976 32.5%
40 $21,557 $6,600
41 $21,941 75.9% 33.3%
42 $22,343 $20,462 56.8% 94.5%
43 $22,867 $57,614 70.7% 81.9%
44 $24,088 $6,200 100.0%
45 $24,825 $10,440
46 $25,009 $48,132 53.4% 75.8%
47 $25,300 $37,150 60.7% 65.9%
48 $25,321 $13,160 8.8%
49 $25,680 $14,804 61.8%
50 $25,805 97.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CSU-Dominguez Hills so much cheaper than other business programs?

CSU-Dominguez Hills charges just $3,659 net compared to over $10,000 at CSU-Sacramento and CSU-San Marcos. The Carson campus benefits from generous financial aid packages that reduce the actual cost far below the $7,064 sticker price. Located in the Los Angeles area, students gain access to major business centers while paying significantly less than private alternatives. The 89% acceptance rate also makes it accessible to a broad range of students.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

CSU-Long Beach, despite charging $8,931 net, achieves a 70% graduation rate and highly selective 40% acceptance rate. In contrast, CSU-Dominguez Hills graduates 47% of students while CSU-Los Angeles reaches 53% completion. The correlation between cost and outcomes varies significantly, with some affordable options like CSU-Fullerton achieving 69% graduation rates. Students should balance affordability with completion statistics when choosing programs.

Where do business graduates earn the highest salaries after completing these programs?

CSU-Sacramento leads earnings at $46,389 annually, followed by CSU-Fullerton at $44,405 and CSU-Long Beach at $44,055. These figures reflect proximity to major business centers and strong alumni networks in California's economy. The lowest earners from San Diego Christian College average $29,685, highlighting significant variation in post-graduation outcomes. Geographic location and program reputation both influence salary potential across the state.

Is the Cal Grant program available for business students at these schools?

Yes, the Cal Grant program covers full tuition at all CSU campuses for eligible California residents, making the actual costs even lower than listed net prices. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and demonstrate financial need to qualify. The program particularly benefits those attending higher-cost campuses like CSU-Sacramento and CSU-San Marcos. Private institutions like Oak Valley College and San Diego Christian College also accept Cal Grant funding.

Does student debt vary significantly between these affordable business programs?

Most CSU graduates carry $13,000-$15,800 in debt, with CSU-San Bernardino showing the lowest burden at $12,604. CSU-San Marcos stands out with $19,500 average debt despite similar tuition structures across the system. The relatively low debt levels reflect affordable tuition and strong financial aid at public institutions. Private colleges often result in higher debt loads despite lower net prices for some students.

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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.