Compare 8 Business/Managerial Economics. programs in California. Average earnings: $72,252.
Business/Managerial Economics programs produce graduates earning between $55,342 and $92,873—a $37K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 8 ranked programs in California, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
UCLA's Business/Managerial Economics program leads with graduates earning $92,873, well above the $72,252 average. But the real insight comes from comparing selective versus accessible programs: Westmont College achieves $78,938 with a 80% acceptance rate, proving strong outcomes don't require elite admissions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UCLA graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Even when including parent loans, UCLA maintains an 8.6% family burden, keeping payments manageable for post-grad budgets.
Highest program earnings: $92,873
Strong outcomes ($78,938) with 80% acceptance
2.7% payment burden | Excellent
8.6% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $92,873 | 32 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #2 | Westmont CollegePrivate | $78,938 | 54 | $23,250 | Excellent | $61,820 | Challenging |
| #3 | $78,567 | 308 | $16,666 | Excellent | $28,682 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $75,777 | 48 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | Challenging |
| #5 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $69,338 | 13 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Challenging |
| #6 | $66,614 | 696 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $60,567 | 45 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Good | |
| #8 | $55,342 | 153 | $17,500 | Excellent | $18,275 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
