2026 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business, management & marketing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
San Diego Miramar College tops our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar 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. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $41,038. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business, management & marketing, landing the #2 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $8,000. Business, Management & Marketing 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.
Students looking for strong value in business, management & marketing will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #3. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $7,998. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $56,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business, management & marketing, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Skyline College one of the best values for business, management & marketing. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Oxnard College came in at #6 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Moorpark College landed the #7 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing 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 #8 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #9 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Irvine Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
San Diego City College came in at #11 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $10,625. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $33,350. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt.
Norco College placed #12 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College landed the #13 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $28,496. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
West Valley College came in at #14 for value in business, management & marketing this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $24,594. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #15 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $7,689. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $27,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,689 median debt.
Santa Monica College came in at #16 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Canada College landed the #17 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College landed the #18 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #19 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $5,681 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $20,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #20 among the best values for business, management & marketing. 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. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Reedley College came in at #21 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #22 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,291 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $65,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Santiago Canyon College placed #23 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Folsom Lake College earned the #25 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in business, management & marketing:
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 293 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.
[Business, Management & Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
