2026 Best Value Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Schools in California

[Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong management sciences & quantitative methods education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value management sciences & quantitative methods schools.
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2026 Best Value Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in management sciences & quantitative methods, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods Schools
Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for management sciences & quantitative methods in California. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the management sciences & quantitative methods program here. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Students looking for strong value in management sciences & quantitative methods will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management sciences & quantitative methods degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University East Bay is a great value for students pursuing a degree in management sciences & quantitative methods, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for management sciences & quantitative methods graduates is $18,073. Early-career management sciences & quantitative methods graduates make about $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #4 place for management sciences & quantitative methods. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management sciences & quantitative methods degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in management sciences & quantitative methods will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career management sciences & quantitative methods graduates make about $60,973. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Merced placed #6 among the best values for management sciences & quantitative methods. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Early-career management sciences & quantitative methods graduates make about $42,071. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California Irvine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value management sciences & quantitative methods schools. 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 $16,539 to complete the management sciences & quantitative methods program here. Soon after graduation, management sciences & quantitative methods degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $73,209. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #8 position for value in management sciences & quantitative methods this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $48,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University landed the #9 spot for management sciences & quantitative methods value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for management sciences & quantitative methods value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the management sciences & quantitative methods program here. Early-career management sciences & quantitative methods graduates make about $169,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value management sciences & quantitative methods schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $11,128 to complete the management sciences & quantitative methods program here. Early-career management sciences & quantitative methods graduates make about $66,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #12 for value in management sciences & quantitative methods this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management sciences & quantitative methods graduates is $14,238. Early-career management sciences & quantitative methods graduates make about $202,958. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside earned the #13 position for value in management sciences & quantitative methods this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the management sciences & quantitative methods program here. Early-career management sciences & quantitative methods graduates make about $55,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value management sciences & quantitative methods schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $12,144 in student loans. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $98,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
San Diego State University placed #15 among the best values for management sciences & quantitative methods. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the management sciences & quantitative methods program here. Early-career management sciences & quantitative methods graduates make about $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #16 position for value in management sciences & quantitative methods this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the management sciences & quantitative methods program here. Soon after graduation, management sciences & quantitative methods degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $96,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Redlands ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value management sciences & quantitative methods schools. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management sciences & quantitative methods degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $57,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Southern California earned the #18 position for value in management sciences & quantitative methods this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for management sciences & quantitative methods graduates is $15,625. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $134,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
University Of San Francisco came in at #19 for value in management sciences & quantitative methods this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management sciences & quantitative methods degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $138,031. Set against $23,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
California College Of The Arts ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value management sciences & quantitative methods schools. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,226. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the management sciences & quantitative methods program here. Soon after graduation, management sciences & quantitative methods degree recipients from California College Of The Arts generally make around $52,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pepperdine University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value management sciences & quantitative methods schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management sciences & quantitative methods degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. That is a strong return on a $23,645 median debt. Pepperdine University admits about 63% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University placed #22 among the best values for management sciences & quantitative methods. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Early-career management sciences & quantitative methods graduates make about $52,935. That is a strong return on a $22,248 median debt. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
Chapman University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value management sciences & quantitative methods schools. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for management sciences & quantitative methods graduates is $21,657. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chapman University admits about 65% of applicants.
Dominican University Of California earned the #24 position for value in management sciences & quantitative methods this year. Set in the city of San Rafael, Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,161 in tuition and fees. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates of Dominican University Of California earn a median of $70,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dominican University Of California admits about 84% of applicants.
Santa Clara University landed the #25 spot for management sciences & quantitative methods value this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management sciences & quantitative methods degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $114,501. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
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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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.