2026 Best Business/Managerial Economics Schools in California
Business/Managerial Economics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for business/managerial economics students.
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Best Schools for Business/Managerial Economics in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall business/managerial economics education in California.
Top Schools in Business/Managerial Economics
Our analysis ranked Santa Clara University the best school in the country for a degree in business/managerial economics. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 19 business/managerial economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.
Read more about the business/managerial economics program at Santa Clara University
Students looking for a strong business/managerial economics program will find one at University Of California Santa Cruz, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. About 304 business/managerial economics degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Business/managerial Economics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $52,029 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in business/managerial economics from University Of California Santa Cruz
Chapman University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in business/managerial economics, ranking #3. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 48 business/managerial economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the business/managerial economics program make about $54,064 in their early career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $22,977 in student loans.
Read more about the business/managerial economics program at Chapman University
University Of California Irvine is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in business/managerial economics, ranking #4. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 493 business/managerial economics degrees in the most recent data year. Business/managerial Economics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $44,277 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full business/managerial economics program report for University Of California Irvine
California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best business/managerial economics schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Long Beach awarded about 44 business/managerial economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their business/managerial economics degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $38,967 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,329.
More information about a degree in business/managerial economics from California State University Long Beach
Westmont College placed #6 among the best business/managerial economics schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Westmont College graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 business/managerial economics students who graduated with this degree at Westmont College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Westmont College generally make around $54,457. Westmont College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full business/managerial economics details for Westmont College
Ashford University earned the #7 position for business/managerial economics this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 10%. There were roughly 20 business/managerial economics students who graduated with this degree at Ashford University in the most recent data year. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $66,360 early in their careers. Ashford University graduates carry a median of $36,551 in student loans.
More information about a degree in business/managerial economics from Ashford University
More Business/Managerial Economics Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.
- 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.
