Business programs across California's 65 ranked institutions produce graduates with earnings ranging from $47,626 to $109,183 ten years after enrollment. With program outcomes varying from $28,602 to $123,780 depending on institution selection, the $13,833 earnings premium above the national average demonstrates why careful program evaluation matters significantly for career trajectories and long-term financial outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of California-Berkeley, achieving the highest program earnings at $123,780. The top tier includes University Of California-Los Angeles at $92,873 and Santa Clara University at $92,847, demonstrating how elite undergraduate business programs translate directly into exceptional median earnings and management careers that justify their positioning in California's competitive landscape.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Santa Cruz, CA | $82,064 Median Business Earnings | $8,717 | 65.8% | 75.1% | |
| #22 | Irvine, CA | $80,282 Median Business Earnings | $8,123 | 28.6% | 86.9% | |
| #23 | Thousand Oaks, CA | $80,052 Median Business Earnings | $22,161 | 75.7% | 69.6% | |
| #24 | Hayward, CA | $78,958 Median Business Earnings | $6,360 | 97.4% | 47.9% | |
| #25 | University Of La VernePrivate | La Verne, CA | $76,810 Median Business Earnings | $20,151 | 71.2% | 63.1% |
| #26 | University Of The PacificPrivate | Stockton, CA | $75,943 Median Business Earnings | $17,004 | 71.3% | 69.0% |
| #27 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | Rohnert Park, CA | $75,887 Median Business Earnings | $8,310 | 93.4% | 57.6% |
| #28 | Vallejo, CA | $75,574 Median Business Earnings | $13,552 | 95.0% | 59.7% | |
| #29 | Whittier CollegePrivate | Whittier, CA | $73,792 Median Business Earnings | $21,718 | 80.8% | 60.0% |
| #30 | San Francisco, CA | $73,465 Median Business Earnings | $9,341 | 96.4% | 50.4% | |
| #31 | Pacific Union CollegePrivate | Angwin, CA | $73,035 Median Business Earnings | $41,008 | 47.3% | 58.3% |
| #32 | Chico, CA | $72,651 Median Business Earnings | $9,902 | 92.7% | 62.8% | |
| #33 | Riverside, CA | $72,027 Median Business Earnings | $8,852 | 76.4% | 76.0% | |
| #34 | Fullerton, CA | $71,409 Median Business Earnings | $3,315 | 90.5% | 70.2% | |
| #35 | Seaside, CA | $71,386 Median Business Earnings | $9,970 | 97.4% | 59.1% | |
| #36 | Camarillo, CA | $71,183 Median Business Earnings | $6,857 | 94.8% | 51.3% | |
| #37 | Fresno Pacific UniversityPrivate | Fresno, CA | $70,983 Median Business Earnings | $11,133 | 64.1% | 50.0% |
| #38 | San Marcos, CA | $70,900 Median Business Earnings | $6,230 | 95.1% | 54.6% | |
| #39 | Northridge, CA | $70,543 Median Business Earnings | $4,905 | 93.5% | 57.0% | |
| #40 | San Diego, CA | $69,872 Median Business Earnings | $9,910 | 36.2% | 76.4% |
