2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in the Far Western Region
[General Business Administration and Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/business-administration-and-management-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 328 schools to find the best return on investment for general business administration and management students.
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2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business administration and management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
For return on investment in general business administration and management, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business administration and management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $40,642. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general business administration and management will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $9,980. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #5 place for general business administration and management. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,998 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $56,738 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,998 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #6 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Skyline College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Oxnard College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Norco College placed #9 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $17,075. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo placed #11 among the best values for general business administration and management. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #12 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
San Diego City College landed the #13 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $10,625. General Business Administration And Management graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $33,350 early in their careers. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College came in at #14 for value in general business administration and management this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Solano Community College landed the #15 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Gavilan College came in at #16 for value in general business administration and management this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College placed #17 among the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $7,689 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $27,966. That is a strong return on a $7,689 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #18 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $5,681. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $20,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College placed #19 among the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $7,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College earned the #20 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $24,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #21 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College earned the #22 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Grossmont College landed the #23 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $65,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Folsom Lake College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general business administration and management value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 328 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 167 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
