California is a massive and diverse state with an economy larger than many countries. As a national leader in industry, agriculture, technology, tourism, and entertainment industries, occupational opportunity is as varied as the interests and passions of those inhabiting the state. Leaders in organizational management and business skills are valued in nearly every field, but particularly necessary in many of California’s most prominent industries. This is evidenced by the particularly high earnings of those in managerial roles in the state of California:
CA average salaries for common MBA-holding roles:
- Financial Analyst: $58,419
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO): $330,895
- Marketing Manager: $101,822
- Project Manager, Information Technology (IT): $84,422
- Operations Manager: $97,920
- Finance Manager: $123,331
Online Learning in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley — the region between San Jose and San Fransisco — is home to the second largest grouping of online degree-offering universities in the state. Institutions in the region range from associates-level degree granting Foothill College to the largest online degree provider in the state: Golden Gate University. Students at one of the six institutions of higher learning in Silicon Valley that offer business degrees online will be well positioned due to their proximity to many of the largest corporations in the United States. For those already working in Silicon Valley, and hoping to advance their career through further schooling, taking courses or pursuing a degree online at a local school can be a great way to take advantage of additional support services when you need them. On top of that, students looking to pursue a degree from the top tier University of California system can gain in-state tuition.
Online Learning in Los Angeles
You better bet that Los Angeles — the second largest consumer market in the nation — is all about business. With Los Angeles County playing home to some 13 Fortune 500 companies, and a metro population of 18 million residents, opportunity for the entrepreneurial and business minded abounds. Fittingly, some 16 universities offer business degrees online in the LA metro. These universities include the top ranked UCLA, two California State University campuses, multiple campuses of the Chicago school of Professional Psychiatry, and a number of religiously-minded institutions. While institutions within LA may be close to LA residents as the crow flies, anyone whose spent any time in the metro knows that even getting to the next neighborhood over can sometimes take an hour. To this point we say there’s no reason to fear as a potential online student. Online business-degree offering universities are placed throughout the LA Metro area. Meaning that — if push comes to shove (and no matter your neighborhood) — you can start classes at a school near you.
The 5 Best Online Business Schools in California
In total, there are 42 online business degree-granting institutions in the state of California. These range from community colleges offering affordable associates-level programming and the ability to transfer to a four year institution, to some of the best graduate business schools in the world. While potential students should first and foremost ensure that a given university has the type of business degree they wish to pursue, there are a few business programs that stand out across the board. We’ve selected our favorite five online business degree offering universities in business below. To select our programs, we’ve used the methodology of equally weighting the range of online business offerings with the academic prestige of a given university. The academic prestige of universities is calculated using a number of metrics such as average amount of financial need received, average class sizes, admissions standards, and the percentage of faculty holding terminal degrees in their field. Check out our top five online business degree-granting universities in California below!
Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a private Christian university located in Azusa, California. There are 9,975 students enrolled, and the majority of classes contain fewer than 20 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, and U.S. News ranks APU as the 183rd best school in the nation. Online, APU offers 10 business-centric degree programs: 2 bachelor’s degree and 8 master’s degrees. Undergraduates learn to build managerial skills and synthesize leadership with organizational science and theory through the Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management. Their online graduate degree programs includes a Master of Business Administration the teaches key concepts like accounting, entrepreneurship and organizational science to becomes successful in business and in society . Other programs include educational leadership, educational technology and learning and a M.A. in management. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits APU to offer degree programs.
Pepperdine University is a private research university located in Malibu, California. There are 7,632 students enrolled who benefit from small classroom sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of just 13:1. U.S. News ranks Pepperdine as the 50th best school in the nation, 29th best college for veterans, and 48th best school for business programs including the top 15 online MBA programs. Pepperdine is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges to offer comprehensive programming. The online program available to undergraduates is the B.S. in Management which is a 60-unit program that consists entirely of upper-division course material and all subjects are directly related to your work and field experience including business law, behavioral science, accounting, and marketing among others. Graduate students have MBA options, may focus on general management and marketing, finance or leadership through one of 6 online master’s options.
California Baptist University is a private Christian University located in Riverside, California. There are 8, 541students enrolled in this intimate private setting that provides small classrooms and a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. U.S. News ranks California Baptist University as the 37th best regional university in the West as well as the 21st best college for veterans. There are a number of terrific online offerings for both undergraduate and graduate students: 6 bachelor’s and 8 master’s degrees. The bachelor’s degrees include business administration, organizational leadership, accounting and others. The master’s programs include an MBA in accounting and general management as well as a degree in communication, organizational leadership and others. Students who complete these programs should expect to be able to in many cases present information orally and in writing, demonstrate entrepreneurial management, competency in business, market, make ethics and legal decision in business administration, and apply these skill in a global context.
Founded in 1891, the University of La Verne is a private nonprofit university located in La Verne, California. This small institution enrolls 4,883 students. The average classroom size is 15 and the student-to-faculty ration is just 13:1. Its most popular majors are in business, management, marketing, and education. According to U.S. News , La Verne is ranked as the 152nd best school in the nation. There are five business- centric online degree programs offered. The two bachelor’s degree programs include business administration which is designed to enhance your knowledge of theory and how it intersects with experience in the business sector, as well and organizational management- focused on managerial and interpersonal skills. The master’s programs include an MBA as well as a M.S. in Leadership and Management which curriculum integrates theory and real-world applications on uman aspects of organization, communication teamwork and leadership skills as well as ethical and social responsible behaviors in a diverse work environment. Additionally, there is a B.S. in Public Administration also available online.
Golden Gate University (GGU) is a private nonprofit university located in San Francisco, California. GGU has been listed as a “Military Friendly” school according to G.I. Jobs . Washington Monthly ranks GGU as the top school in the nation for adult education. Online there arena impressive 30 degrees available in the areas of business management, accounting, marketing and public relations. There are 14 bachelor’s and 16 master’s degrees. In addition, there are also a number of certifications available. Students will learn about project management, organizational technology, taxation, HR management and global supply chain management. Many programs include hands-on internship experiences that connect theory with real-world application of processes.
Directory of Online Business Degrees in California
Widest range of online business degrees in CA
| Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (707) 664-28801801 E Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
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| California Institute of Integral Studies | San Francisco, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (415) 575-61001453 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
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| Fuller Theological Seminary in California | Pasadena, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (626) 584-5200135 N Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
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| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (619) 849-22003900 Lomaland Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
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| California State University-Sacramento | Sacramento, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (916) 278-60116000 J St, Sacramento, CA 95819
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| California State University-Fullerton | Fullerton, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (657) 278-2011800 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831
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| Antioch University-Los Angeles | Culver City, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (310) 578-1080400 Corporate Pointe, Culver City, CA 90230
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| Antioch University-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (805) 962-8179602 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
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| Loma Linda University | Loma Linda, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (909) 558-400011139 Anderson St, Loma Linda, CA 92350
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| Palo Alto University | Palo Alto, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (800) 818-61361791 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304
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| Humboldt State University | Arcata, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (707) 826-30111 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521
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| Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (714) 564-60051530 W 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
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| Mount St. Mary’s College | Los Angeles, California | Online B Degrees: 1 | |
 Address & Contact Info (301) 447-612216300 Old Emmitsburg Rd, Emmitsburg, MD 21727
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