2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in California
[General Business Administration and Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/business-administration-and-management-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 230 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general business administration and management schools.
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2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business administration and management degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
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. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $40,642 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $7,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $56,738. Set against $7,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general business administration and management will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #5 place for general business administration and management. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Irvine Valley College came in at #6 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #7 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Oxnard College placed #8 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Moorpark College placed #9 among the best values for general business administration and management. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of San Mateo earned the #10 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College placed #12 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $33,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. 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, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Reedley College placed #14 among the best values for general business administration and management. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $6,500. 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.
Fresno City College came in at #15 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $7,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $27,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Canada College earned the #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College landed the #18 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $14,308. General Business Administration And Management graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $24,594 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #19 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $5,681 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $20,816 early in their careers. Set against $5,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #20 among the best values for general business administration and management. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #21 position for value in general business administration and management 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. 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.
Imperial Valley College came in at #22 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College earned the #23 position for value in general business administration and management 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #24 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $20,250. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College earned the #25 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general business administration and management:
More General Business Administration and Management Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 230 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 106 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.
