2026 Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in California
[Business/Managerial Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong business/managerial economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value business/managerial economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business/managerial economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California Irvine the best value for a degree in business/managerial economics in California. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $44,277. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for business/managerial economics. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,329 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $38,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $52,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Ashford University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $36,551. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $66,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westmont College earned it the #5 place for business/managerial economics. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,584. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Westmont College earn a median of $54,457 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Chapman University came in at #6 for value in business/managerial economics this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,984. Students borrow a median of $22,977 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $54,064. That is a strong return on a $22,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Santa Clara University placed #7 among the best values for business/managerial economics. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
