by our College Data Analytics Team
[Business Administration And Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools on the early-career earnings of their business administration and management graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose business administration and management graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #1 spot for highest-paid business administration and management graduates in California. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Business Administration And Management graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $266,651 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying business administration and management schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Early-career business administration and management graduates from University Of California Los Angeles make a median of around $212,869 per year.
Santa Clara University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career business administration and management graduates from Santa Clara University make a median of around $194,180 per year.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the highest-paying schools for business administration and management. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career business administration and management graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $181,286 per year.
San Jose State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in business administration and management, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Early-career business administration and management graduates from San Jose State University make a median of around $151,760 per year.
Saint Marys College Of California placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for business administration and management. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Business Administration And Management graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of about $167,609 a year early in their careers.
Golden Gate University San Francisco ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying business administration and management schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career business administration and management graduates from Golden Gate University San Francisco make a median of around $131,690 per year.
University Of California Irvine came in at #8 for business administration and management graduate earnings this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. After graduating, business administration and management degree recipients from University Of California Irvine typically earn about $146,412 annually.
Pepperdine University landed the #9 spot for business administration and management salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career business administration and management graduates from Pepperdine University make a median of around $142,013 per year.
University Of San Francisco earned the #10 position for business administration and management graduate earnings this year. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students who complete the business administration and management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $150,673.
California State University East Bay placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for business administration and management. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. Students who complete the business administration and management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $135,829.
University Of San Diego earned the #12 position for business administration and management graduate earnings this year. University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Business Administration And Management graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of about $128,241 a year early in their careers.
San Francisco State University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for business administration and management. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Business Administration And Management graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of about $124,033 a year early in their careers.
California State University Channel Islands placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for business administration and management. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a public institution. Students who complete the business administration and management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $120,386.
Notre Dame De Namur University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for business administration and management. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Notre Dame De Namur University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the business administration and management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $133,798.
California Maritime Academy placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for business administration and management. Located in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a public institution. Students who complete the business administration and management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $120,304.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #17 for business administration and management graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. After graduating, business administration and management degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona typically earn about $115,701 annually.
California Lutheran University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for business administration and management. California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. After graduating, business administration and management degree recipients from California Lutheran University typically earn about $107,188 annually.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #19 for business administration and management graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Early-career business administration and management graduates from California State University Los Angeles make a median of around $129,508 per year.
California State University Fresno placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for business administration and management. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Early-career business administration and management graduates from California State University Fresno make a median of around $115,912 per year.
Chapman University landed the #21 spot for business administration and management salaries this year. Chapman University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Students who complete the business administration and management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $120,720.
California State University Fullerton came in at #22 for business administration and management graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Early-career business administration and management graduates from California State University Fullerton make a median of around $115,490 per year.
University Of La Verne earned the #23 position for business administration and management graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a private not-for-profit institution. Business Administration And Management graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of about $100,049 a year early in their careers.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. After graduating, business administration and management degree recipients from California State University Bakersfield typically earn about $99,567 annually.
California State University Northridge came in at #25 for business administration and management graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Early-career business administration and management graduates from California State University Northridge make a median of around $116,807 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning business administration and management graduates:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their business administration and management graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 61 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
