Top 10 Affordable MBA Programs in California

California, especially Silicon Valley, is home to everything from national business leaders to small startups. All these businesses look for employees with knowledge gained from a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

Although tuition costs are expensive, there are many affordable online colleges in California, as well as traditional colleges offering in-person and online MBA programs. Keep reading to discover the top ten affordable MBA programs in California.

Top Affordable MBA Programs in California

Multiple colleges and universities in California offer affordable MBA programs. Some do this by offering lower tuition rates and online MBA programs, while others offer financial aid to help students pay for their degrees without taking out massive student loans. Below, we've featured ten top affordable MBA programs in California.

1. California Polytechnic State University, Pomona

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public polytechnic university in Pomona, CA. Its Singelyn Graduate School of Business offers full-time and part-time MBA degree programs with optional specializations in business sustainability, leading organizational transformation, and strategic marketing.

Tuition and fees for in-state residents are $13,864 per year, while out-of-state residents pay $20,584 per year. The university also offers several scholarship options to students.

2. California State University, Long Beach

California State University, Long Beach is a public research university in Long Beach, CA. It offers on-campus and online MBA programs through its College of Business. Some programs offer internships and study abroad opportunities, while others offer concentrations in areas like:

• general management
• human resources management
• information systems
• supply chain management

Costs vary depending on the program, with most ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 total. The College of Business offers two specific scholarship opportunities, and the university as a whole offers more.

3. Claremont Graduate University

The Claremont Graduate University is a private, all-graduate research university in Claremont, CA. Its Drucker School of Management offers full-time, part-time, and online MBA degree programs with concentrations such as:

• entrepreneurship
• human resources management
• information technology management
• supply chain management

Tuition at CGU is about $48,000 per year. To help students pay for their tuition, CGU offers several fellowship and scholarship opportunities to MBA students.

4. Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is a private Christian research university in Malibu, CA. It offers full-time, part-time, and executive MBAs through its Graziadio Business School with concentrations like:

• business analytics
• entrepreneurship
• finance
• marketing

Tuition costs vary based on the program, but the full-time, in-person MBA averages $28,410 per term. Students can take advantage of multiple scholarship and fellowship programs to cover their tuition costs.

5. University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley is a public research university in Berkeley, CA. It's Haas School of Business is one of the top schools in the U.S. News and World Report's ranking of business schools in the U.S.

The average tuition and fees at UC Berkeley is $73,160 per year for in-state students and $85,406 per year for out-of-state students. Several need-based and merit-based scholarships and fellowships are available for MBA students.

6. University of California, Davis

The University of California, Davis is a public research university in Davis, CA. It offers full-time, part-time, and online MBA programs through its Graduate School of Management with concentrations that include:

• entrepreneurship and innovation
• general management
• organizational behavior
• product management

Tuition and fees for the full-time, on-campus MBA program average around $49,502 for in-state students, but costs vary slightly for the online and part-time programs. The graduate school offers several scholarships and a handful of fellowships.

7. University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is a public research university in Irvine, CA. Its Paul Merage School of Business offers full-time, part-time, and executive MBA degrees with focus areas like:

• information systems
• operations and decision technologies
• organization and management
• strategy and entrepreneurship

Over 80% of students at the School of Business receive scholarships. This helps reduce overall costs, which are $16,836.99 per term for in-state residents and $20,918.99 for out-of-state residents.

8. University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university in Los Angeles. It offers several MBA programs through its Anderson School of Management, with specializations such as:

• brand management
• corporate finance
• global business
• healthcare management

Costs vary depending on the program, but tuition and fees for the full-time MBA program at UCLA average $85,756. To help, the school offers several fellowship programs as well as teaching assistant or research assistant opportunities for second-year students.

9. University of California, Riverside

The University of California, Riverside is a public research university in Riverside, CA. Its School of Business offers a STEM-focused MBA program with concentrations like:

• business analytics
• general management
• information systems
• operations and supply chain management

In-state students pay an average of $18,100 per quarter while out-of-state students pay an average of $22,000 per quarter. The university provides multiple financial aid options to students.

10. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles. It offers a variety of MBA programs, including an accelerated, one-year program, through its Marshall School of Business.

Costs vary depending on which degree you choose, but the full-time MBA averages $79,893 per year. However, four distinct merit-based scholarships from USC can help reduce tuition costs.

FAQs About Affordable MBA Programs

Below, we've answered frequently asked questions about affordable California MBA programs.

What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing an Affordable MBA?

There are several things to consider when pursuing an affordable MBA. Prospective students should look at:

• Accreditation: Look for programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); all programs listed above are AACSB-accredited.
• Admissions requirements: Most MBA programs require a bachelor's degree, and most require a minimum GPA and a minimum GRE/GMAT score.
• Financial aid: Most schools offer scholarships or fellowship programs to help students pay for their business education.
• Format: Most business schools offer their master's degrees in person, but many offer online master's degrees as well.
• Public vs. private: Public schools usually provide the same high-quality education as private schools for a lower price.
• Real-world experience: Look for an MBA program that includes internships so you can gain work experience before you graduate.
• Specializations: Many MBA programs offer concentrations or electives so you can tailor your coursework to a specific career path, like international business, data analytics, or financial management.

How Much Does an MBA Cost in California?

The average MBA in California costs $59,093. However, there are plenty of programs that cost less, and many that offer financial aid to reduce your costs.

What Is the ROI of an MBA Program in California?

Return on investment, or ROI, is typically calculated by looking at how much debt you graduate with versus your salary. For example, according to U.S. News and World Report, MBA graduates from the University of California, Riverside have a salary-to-debt ratio of 4.1-to-1 within three months of graduating, a high ROI.

How Can I Make an MBA Program More Affordable?

There are several things you can do to make your business degree more affordable, including:

• choose a public school over a private school
• fill out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)
• apply for scholarships, grants, and fellowships
• consider work-study programs