The 20 Best California Online MBA Degree Programs

For many years the state of California is where many people from other parts of the United States have wanted to migrate to. It is no wonder, then, that California would offer some of the very best online MBA degrees in the nation.

The State

While much is made of California’s stellar climate and impressive forests and coastlines, there are many interesting facts many can discover about the second-largest contiguous state in the United States. Some may be surprised to find out that the city of Los Angeles is ranked fourth as the largest economy in the country and that California’s Alpine County is identified as the eighth smallest county out of the state’s 58. Alpine County features no traffic lights, banks, high schools or dentist offices.

California is a melting pot of cultures and offers the traveler many interesting points of interests. Southern California is famous for its ideal weather and surf culture. As California’s southern border rests against Mexico, the state’s Mexican influence can be seen in its population, language, and restaurants. A drive up the coast on the PCH reveals breathtaking areas of beach, cliffs, forests, and farmlands. The climate of California makes it the perfect place to grow produce like avocados, carrots, and almost all of what the United States consumes in plums, kiwis, walnuts, and artichokes.

The California Online MBA

Large and famous schools like the University of Southern California situated in Los Angeles to smaller colleges like United States University, which features a student body of less than 500, have made a commitment to designing online MBAs which feature high-quality curriculums offered through distance learning. Some schools offer a hybrid experience for business graduate students which require some short residencies on campus while others can award an MBA to a student who never has to step foot on a college campus from the application process to graduation. To help guide your quest in finding the perfect program, we have compiled a ranking of the Best California Online MBA degree programs.

Methodology

As accessibility increases, students might find it harder and harder to narrow down prospective programs. With the number of Online MBA programs in the country reaching the 550 mark, students are looking for information on tuition costs, accreditation, online-specific support, and national prestige. So, with Affordability (33%), Support Services (33%), and Quality of Classes (33%) in mind, MBA Central has examined all of the Online MBA programs offered in California to find the programs offering the most value.

Every California Online MBA is listed with an additional Affordability Score, which ranges from Very Affordable to Very Expensive. This score takes into account the total base tuition of the programs, not including books or fees. Ranges are as follows:

Very Affordable: under $15,000
Affordable: between $15,000 and $20,000
Average: between $20,000 and $30,000
Above Average: between $30,000 and $50,000
Expensive: between $50,000 and $100,000
Very Expensive: above $100,000

#1 National University School of Business and Management – La Jolla, California

The very best California Online MBA can be found at the School of Business and Management at National University. Specializations for this degree include Financial Management, Human Resources Management, Supply Chain Management, Integrated Marketing Communication, International Business, Organizational Leadership, Management Accounting, Marketing, and Mobile Marketing and Social Media. Some online MBA students are less interested in a concentration and may pursue the degree as a general MBA. Business school applicants with the proper academic credentials can waive certain courses and complete this degree as a 16-course online MBA with sixty-three quarter units taken. The tuition rate for this program is considered average as a distance learner can pursue this degree from the School of Business and Management for under $28,000 in tuition. The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education backs National University’s business school.

Marketing Management, Managerial Support Systems, Organization Management & Leadership, Economics for Managerial Decisions, Statistics for Business, Global Business, and Managerial Accounting are the core courses included in this degree. Students within this online MBA can expect to be equipped for leadership roles in business. School of Business and Management instructors will provide them with the knowledge and tools essential for successful management in organizations of all types. The distance degree imparts the conceptual understanding and application of analytical tools contained in various business disciplines, including data analysis, accounting, economics, finance, and management. Graduates of this online MBA will be well-equipped with team-building skills and creative problem-solving. National University began equipping professionals in business in 1971 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. Over 17,000 students attend National.

Accreditation: IACBE, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#2 California Baptist University Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business – Riverside, California

The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University offers an online MBA with specializations in Accounting and General Management. Entrepreneurial Management, Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Strategic Management, Legal Environment of Business and Management, Quantitative Business Modeling, and Marketing Management are core courses included in the curriculum of this online MBA. Students working through this degree will complete a minimum of 36-credit hours and have the opportunity to graduate in just one year while taking courses at an accelerated pace. This high-performing online MBA is accredited by the ACBSP and offers online students the peace of mind that they are receiving a quality education. Tuition for this program is under $24,000 and is considered average in affordability. Ranking bodies including U.S. News & World Report deem this degree as one of the best in the nation for providing excellent support services for online students. The business school at California Baptist University has made it a priority for years to provide its students with scholarships to make seeking a degree make financial sense. This 36-credit degree requires no GMAT or GRE test scored to be reported during the application process.

California Baptist University is regionally accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. The university features gold and blue as its official colors and is home of the Lancers. This private, not-for-profit university resides in Riverside, California and currently instructs 9,941 students seeking associate through doctoral degrees. California Baptist University was first established as California Baptist College in 1950 in El Monte, California.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#3 California State University, ​San Bernardino Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration – San Bernardino, California

California State University, San Bernardino’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration offers an online MBA. The business school has a keen eye on the varied needs of today’s working professional. As there are many graduate students who do not have the margin of time and expense to travel to Turlock during the week, this Executive online MBA allows students to visit the campus on Saturdays. Distance learners will receive one of the best online MBAs in California within this program which takes eighteen months to complete. The program is structured within twelve four-unit courses. The tuition of just over $35,000 classifies this online MBA as above average in affordability. The respected ranking entity of U.S. News & World Report hails the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration for providing online students with top-notch support services through accessibility, flexibility, and a wealth of services students can take advantage of over the course of the program. U.S. News also calls this online MBA one of the very best in the nation, ranking it as #101. The AACSB-International backs the business school, giving distance learners even more reason to pursue this program.

Marketing Management, Data Driven Decision Making, Managing the Supply Chain, Corporate Strategy in a Global Economy, Organizational Theory & Behavior, Financial Theory & Corporate Finance, Information Systems & Technology Management, and Advanced Managerial Communication are courses designed to help students grasp the many intricacies of sound business leadership. Some candidates interested in California State University, San Bernardino’s online MBA have not taken the GMAT or GRE placement test. These tests can add extra time and expense to the acceptance process. Fortunately, the business school does not require its applicants to produce placement test scores like the GMAT or GRE but instead leans on resources like resumes, past academic performance, and letters of recommendation to help make sure that students are a good fit for this 36-credit hour program.

Accreditation: AACSB, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average

#4 Brandman University School of Business and Professional Studies – Irvine, California

The School of Business and Professional Studies at Brandman University provides an online MBA with a concentration in Organizational Leadership, Accounting, Finance, Entrepreneurship, E-business Strategic Management, Health Administration, Human Resources, Marketing, and International Business Marketing. The business school at Brandman welcomes students from all academic backgrounds into this excellent online MBA. Students with a bachelor’s degree in business will have the greatest advantage of being able to graduate sooner and take fewer courses to complete the program. Students holding an undergraduate degree in a field of study outside of business may be responsible for taking foundational courses before moving on to core credits in this thirty-six-hour program. The School of Business and Professional Studies has specifically designed this degree to equip students with skills to evaluate and analyze business processes and functions, analyze and create effective regional and global business strategies, integrate ethics and moral decision making, consider social sustainability in decision-making and problem-solving, and communicate and implement solid leadership within a diverse workforce.

Candidates of this program with the proper undergraduate GPA can waive the GMAT/GRE test requirement during the acceptance process. U.S. News & World Report calls this degree out as one of the best in the nation for exemplary support services and excellence in quality among the nation’s best online MBAs. Brandman University got its start as the Residence Education Center Program at Chapman University in 1958. Just over fifty years after being established, the university was awarded its stand-alone status as an independent institution of higher learning. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission regionally accredits Brandman, and the university maintains a student body of 7,812.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#5 California State University, Dominguez Hills College of Business Administration and Public Policy – Carson, California

The College of Business Administration and Public Policy at California State University, Dominguez Hills offers an online MBA with emphases in International Business, Management, Finance, Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Marketing Management, Information Technology Management, and Human Resource Management. The business school puts a high priority on a student finding its degree flexible and competent in training for a successful career in modern business. The themes of critical thinking, communications, teamwork, and integration are leaned on heavily throughout this 30-credit hour online MBA. This degree from CSUDH is one of the most affordable programs in our best-of California ranking. For less than $15,000 in tuition, a student can enjoy a program delivered by a business school that has been singled out by U.S. News & World Report for delivering impeccable support services and a high-quality education to distance learners. Students registering for two courses each term can complete all requirements for this degree in just eighteen months. Advanced Topics in Finance, Advanced Topics in Operations Management, Human Behavior in Organizations, Advanced Topics in International Business, Strategic Marketing: Cases and Current Issues, Strategic Management, and Advanced Topics in Accounting are some of the courses included in this online MBA.

The flexibility of this program is found in the option for students to take all classes online, in the classroom, or as a combination of the two. California State University, Dominguez Hills is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. The university got its start as South Bay State College in 1960 and over the years has grown in size and programming. Today, CSUDH offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in addition to this excellent online MBA. There are 16,219 students that seek degrees at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#6 California State University, Stanislaus College of Business Administration – Turlock, California

California State University, Stanislaus’ College of Business Administration offers an online MBA delivered as a general degree or with a Finance concentration. The integrity of the business school at California State University, Stanislaus is felt instantly when it is realized the business school is accredited by the exemplary AACSB-International. This 30-unit program is rated as average in affordability with a tuition of less than $28,000. The thirty units which comprise the degree are split between nine credits of concentration courses and twenty-one credits of core courses. This degree features a Seminar in Quality and Productivity Management and core courses like Management Accounting, Business Organization, Theory and Behavior, Marketing Management, Computer Information Systems, Integrated Business Strategy and Culminating Experience, and Managerial Finance. Students desiring to work toward CFA licensing or pursuing a career in finance or investment will want to consider the Finance specialization. The general online MBA will properly train distance learners in a broad variety of business subjects including operations, accounting, marketing, CIS, and human resource management.

Like some of the excellent online MBAs contained in this ranking, this program from California State University, Stanislaus receives high marks from U.S. News & World Report as one of the best in the country for program quality and support services offered to students. The university got its start as Stanislaus State College in 1957 and was accredited within seven years. The school’s regional accreditation is received through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. The university is home of the Warriors and lists 10,327 students on the current enrollment.

Accreditation: AACSB, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#7 University of La Verne College of Business and Public Management – La Verne, California

The University of La Verne’s College of Business and Public Management provides an online MBA with a concentration in Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Health Services Management, Information Technology, Marketing, International Business, and Management and Leadership. The $32,000 tuition attached to this excellent degree classifies it as above average in affordability, but the benefits of this online MBA are felt as soon as a candidate begins the acceptance process. The business school makes its admissions requirements available to incoming students and works well to foster a communicative spirit to its students as they turn in required materials which include an undergraduate degree with corresponding 2.5 or better GPA, letters of recommendation, and proof of writing competence. The optimal candidate for this excellent online MBA is one who has at least three years of professional work experience. Managing Technology, Global Business Management, Managing Financial Resources, Management of Business Operations, Designing Effective Organizations, and Strategic Marketing Management are all courses included in this thirty-six-credit hour program. Solid business theory and real-world application come together in the University of La Verne’s online MBA. Students desiring to go into a specific area of business management will be happy to find no fewer than eight concentration choices that will accentuate their degree plan.

The tools need to be able to complete assignments for this degree include access to high-speed internet, a working knowledge of how to navigate the internet on a personal computer, the ability to post in discussions and chat rooms, and the ability to utilize email as a graduate student. The University of La Verne has been designing educational environments for students since 1891. The school is named after La Verne, California, where its main campus is located. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission grants La Verne its regional accreditation and the school is home of the Leopards.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average

#8 Saint Mary’s College of California School of Economics and Business Administration – Moraga, California

A hybrid Executive MBA is offered at the School of Economics and Business Administration at Saint Mary’s College of California. This online MBA has been dubbed the 82nd best among all online MBAs in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. The ranking body also recognizes the business school for providing excellent support services for online students in the form of flexibility in scheduling and completing coursework, access to the curriculum and assignments, and overall support for nontraditional students. Graduates of this online MBA will be proficient in evaluating business opportunities and developing strategic implementation plans in a team setting. Business school students are encouraged to learn how to communicate well as a manager and leader, present analysis, justify recommended actions, and foster support from other team members. Skills like how to collaborate and negotiate with others who have different objectives is another component covered in this online MBA. Managing & Leading Organizations, Global Marketing, Leadership Communication, Goal-Centered Finance, Applied Economics, Accounting for Executives, Data Analytics for Executives, and Supply-Chain Management are all classes offered as core courses during this online degree in business.

This hybrid executive degree is listed as expensive with a tuition of just under $75,000. Online MBAs like this one from the School of Economics and Business Administration at Saint Mary’s College of California have been known to garner a high return on the investment of education as employers are willing to invest well into the careers of properly trained business managers. U.S. News & World Report has deemed the business school one of the best places in the nation to pursue an online MBA with excellent support services. This online MBA is just one of the stellar degrees students can pursue at Saint Mary’s College of California. The university is situated in Moraga, California and provides undergraduate to doctoral degrees to more than 3,900 students currently enrolled there.

Accreditation: AACSB, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Expensive

#9 Naval Postgraduate School Graduate School of Business and Public Policy – Monterey, California

The Naval Postgraduate School delivers an executive online MBA at the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy. The business school has made it a priority that its graduates would be effective in thinking analytically and critically, with the ability to make sound strategic decisions when surrounded by uncertainty. The EMBA is described as a defense-focused business leadership degree that is applicable to today’s defense-concentrated studies. This fifty-six-credit degree has been structured as a twenty-four month, part-time business degree for Department of the Navy officers and senior civilians, officers from other branches of the U.S. armed forces, and federal senior employees. Management of Teams, Business Modeling and Analysis, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Ethics and Moral Development, Principles of Acquisition and Program Management, Cost Management, Statistics for Executive Management, and Economics for Defense Managers are the core courses included in this distance degree. The Department of the Navy students enjoy a mission fund allowing them to finish this degree with no out of pocket expenses. Some students must be funded out of their commands.

Online MBA students within this program provided by the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy will have opportunities to interact with other managers for mutual networking and learning, the chance to expand their knowledge in financial management, and will work on team-based projects to garner successful communication and collaboration. The AACSB-International awards the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy with its exemplary business accreditation. For 100 years, the Naval Postgraduate School has been training military personnel for successful careers in business leadership. The institution got its start as the Postgraduate Department of the United States Academy and today is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.

Accreditation: AACSB, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#10 Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School – Malibu, California

Pepperdine University delivers an online MBA with a Finance, Leadership and Managing Organizational Change, Digital Innovation and Information Systems, Marketing, and General Management specialization at the Graziadio Business School. The tuition rate of less than $95,000 places this excellent online MBA at expensive in affordability. Organizations have never been in greater need than now for business leaders to have a priority for doing good while keeping an eye on the bottom line. This online MBA is a combination of principles in technology, leadership skills, strategy, and sound business ethics that will produce well-rounded working professionals. This fifty-two-credit hour program provides progressive leadership development in a variety of business disciplines. A completion time of just 20 months is attached to this stellar online MBA which means graduates can get back into the job market quickly and watch their careers take off.

The curriculum for the Graziadio Business School’s online MBA presents business fundamentals through the filter of twenty-first century ethics. The curriculum is best suited for aspiring business leaders who desire to make an impact on the world of business as influencers. Topics like organizational behavior, leadership development, financial management, profitability, regulatory issues, and processes and systems are explored throughout the courses provided. The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report rank this degree as one of the very best in the United States for quality, substance, and value. Pepperdine University has a long history of offering elite higher education to students around the world. The school was founded in 1937 and today maintains a picturesque campus in Malibu, California. Home of Willie the Wave, Pepperdine features a student body of 7,710.

Accreditation: AACSB, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Expensive

#11 University of Southern California Marshall School of Business – Los Angeles, California

The Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California provides an online MBA. The business school at USC is no stranger to recognitions for quality. U.S. News & World Report hails the Marshall School of Business as the location for the fifth-best online MBA in the country. The Princeton Review has awarded the school with its #3 spot as the best online MBA in the nation. U.S. News also recognizes the business school for providing above average support services for online students. The business school’s goal is to equip students with the camaraderie and rigor they would expect of an elite online MBA program. Powerful virtual tools are paired with a comprehensive business curriculum. Every course has been carefully designed top-to-bottom for a unique online format. Courses are not just led by one teacher but instead overseen by several members of the Marshall staff. Distance learners can rest assured that each course offered utilizes modern, real-world scenarios to train students in developing abilities that organizations expect of executive-level leaders. Decision-making using metrics, effective communication, and robust remote collaboration are all pillars of this distinguished degree offered at USC

The Marshall School of Business is accredited by the AACSB-International. Role of the Manager, Business Environment & Leadership, Fundamentals of Business, Managing Outside the Firm, and Opportunity Recognition and Implementation are all top-notch core courses offered within this online MBA. Los Angeles, California is the site for the University of Southern California’s main campus. USC got its start in 1880 with a student body of just over 50 and a teaching staff of just ten instructors. Today, the university has a mammoth enrollment of 45,687.

Accreditation: AACSB, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Expensive

#12 California State University, Fresno Craig School of Business – Fresno, California

An online MBA is featured at the Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno. This blended online MBA offers graduate students the best of both worlds. Distance learners will appreciate being able to work from the comfort of their own homes through online assignments and lectures and will benefit from spending time in the classroom with fellow students and course instructors. Students can also save time and graduate sooner than traditional students by taking a class online while simultaneously taking a course on the school’s campus. The online MBA curriculum is a mirror reflection of the traditional MBA, so distance learners have no disadvantage there. Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Management Information Systems, Regulatory and Ethical Environment of Business, Financial Management, Marketing Management, and Managerial Accounting are all courses included in this thirty-six credit hour distance degree.

The optimal candidate for this program is one with some business education. Students lacking a business degree are still encouraged to submit an application, however, these students may be responsible for taking up to fifteen credit hours of foundational business courses which stress the subjects of economics, accounting, and management. At just over $15,000 in tuition, this flexible online MBA is considered affordable and presents a great value for distance learners. The AACSB-International accredits the Craig School of Business. The business school is just one of the departments that make California State University, Fresno an excellent choice for students seeking degrees like undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral. The university dates back to 1911 when it opened its doors as a teacher-training school called Fresno State Normal School. Today, over 25,000 students pursue degrees at Fresno State.

Accreditation: AACSB, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Affordable

#13 Northcentral University School of Business – San Diego, California

The School of Business at Northcentral University offers an online MBA with specializations in Change and Innovation, Corporate Social Responsibility, General Business, Homeland Security, International Business, Marketing, Project Management, Building Creativity, Computer and Information Security, Criminal Justice, Health Care Administration, and Human Resources Management. Northcentral’s online MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. An accreditation of this caliber ensures that students will receive a well-crafted education from a reputable source in academia. This award-winning degree has been given the nod as the 215th best online MBA in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The business school’s staff consists of professionals at the top of their fields with doctoral degrees. It will only take sixteen months for students to complete all program requirements. The School of Business features start dates for courses each Monday, so students experience excellent flexibility. The $30,000 tuition rate is considered above average, but the value of this degree will be felt for years after its completion.

Students lacking the GMAT or GRE will be happy to know the School of Business does not require online MBA candidates to submit these scores during the application process. The business school also offers students a wide variety of options when it comes to concentrations. Distance learners can choose one of seventeen specializations to complement their online MBA. Over 10,700 students are pursuing degrees at Northcentral University. The private college is in San Diego, California and offers bachelor’s degrees through doctorates to the student body. The university is relatively young having opened its doors in 1996. The university grew quickly, first being accredited in 2003.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average

#14 California Southern University School of Business – Costa Mesa, California

The School of Business at California Southern University provides an online MBA with concentration choices including Management, Financial Management, Healthcare Administration, Project Management, Human Resource Management, and International Business. CalSouthern’s MBA is designed to equip students for leadership roles in organizations of all sizes and across many business sectors. Distance learners are exposed to a variety of fundamental business principles and encouraged to develop skills to devise strategies and implement them in a multitude of business operations. The curriculum will drive online MBA students to hone their communications and leadership skills. At CalSouthern, distance learners can customize their MBA program according to their professional interests. Concentration choices include management, finance, international business, healthcare administration, and human resources. Students also have the option of designing their own program around their prior education, work experience, and future career plans. Some of the most important outcomes from this program include a graduate being well versed in communication both verbally and written, critical thinking, being information literate, personally developed as a business professional, and being a solid critical thinker.

The required core courses within this thirty-six-credit hour degree include Managerial Accounting for Decision Making, Business Organization and Management, Marketing Management, Applied Data Analysis, Economics for Organizational Management, and Ethics in Business. This online MBA is classified as affordable with a tuition of just over $19,000. CalSouthern’s online MBA is accredited by the ACBSP, and the university is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. California Southern University is located in Costa Mesa, California and exists as a private for-profit college featuring associate through doctoral degrees.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Affordable

#15 Point Loma Nazarene University Fermanian School of Business – San Diego, California

Point Loma Nazarene University features an online MBA with a focus in Organizational Leadership at the Fermanian School of Business. The four most-important principles upheld by the business school at Point Loma Nazarene include the ability to display wisdom in the presence of difficult decisions, a deep quantitative and qualitative business leadership knowledge, an extensive personal network, and ample motivation to live out purpose on a daily basis. This online MBA at the Fermanian School of Business requires zero campus visits and lets online students set their own schedule for course work and assignment completion. Business Ethics, Legal Environment of Business, Operational Excellence, Corporate Social Responsibility, International Business, Applied Research Methods, and Economic Environment of Business are some of the core courses included within this online degree. The forty-two-credit hour degree is listed as above average in affordability while still being available at less than $36,000 in tuition. The business school holds the title as the 215th best location in the country to receive an online MBA.

This distance degree is accredited by the ACBSP while Point Loma Nazarene University receives its regional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. The school dates back to 1902 when it was founded as the Pacific Bible College. The main campus of Point Loma Nazarene can be found in sunny San Diego, California. The current enrollment at the school is a healthy 4,417 and the university’s mascot is the Sea Lions. In addition to this excellent online MBA, students can also find other master’s programs, undergraduate degrees, and doctorates.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average

#16 United States University College of Business Management – San Diego, California

An online MBA is offered by United States University’s College of Business Management. Some of the excellent focuses that students can explore alongside this degree include specializations in Business Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, and International Business. The business school is committed to helping online MBA students discover a rich understanding of the many functional areas of a business including human resources, accounting, marketing, finance, and information technology. Graduates of this thirty-six-credit hour program will have sharpened their leadership skills through classes covering business law and ethics, organizational behavior, international/global management, organizational change and innovation, and strategic planning. Critical thinking and problem solving, communication, project management, teamwork and ethics are other valuable topics discussed throughout this exciting online MBA.

U.S. University currently offers this online MBA with a very affordable tuition rate of less than $12,000. Managerial Accounting, Business Information Systems, Talent Acquisition, Performance, and Behavior, Operations Management and Decision Models, Business Economics, Financial Management, and Marketing Strategies are some of the courses included in this degree. Students have the flexibility to determine their completion time. Some will take multiple courses each term and graduate quicker while others with more work or family demands set a slower pace. Students taking a particular number of classes over the span of a fall, spring, and summer semester can graduate in just one calendar year. Admission requirements for this program include a candidate having completed a bachelor’s degree and having maintained a GPA of at least 2.5. United States University is located in San Diego, California, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission, and maintains a current student body of 429.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#17 John F. Kennedy University College of Business and Professional Studies – Pleasant Hill, California

John F. Kennedy University offers an online MBA at the College of Business and Professional Studies. Concentrations offered within this program include Finance, Sales Management, Health Care, Human Resources, Strategic Management, Information Technology, and Management. JFK University offers an exciting new format to complete this online MBA. The FlexCourse system allows students to customize their online MBA experience through distance learning. Students utilizing this program can set a custom pace for course completion and will have the benefit of working closely with a course instructor. The first step involved in this process is for program candidates to process an initial assessment that helps determine what skills and knowledge an online MBA student is bringing into the FlexCourse program. This assessment is then used to help the student and advisor to create a degree plan. The next step is for the online student to complete courses utilizing resources provided by the business school such as videos, e-books, and digital textbooks. Course finals are scheduled by students at times that work well with the distance learner’s professional and personal schedule. Once the final has been completed, the student is ready to register for the next course in the series.

The online MBA offered at JFK University’s College of Business and Professional Studies is thirty-six credit hours in length and is designed to aid the student in the ability of evaluating the changes inherent to an organization’s systems, leading a team to meet organizational goals, and providing information used to promote an organization’s optimal financial performance. This online MBA features a tuition rate of less than $25,000. The College of Business and Professional Studies at John F. Kennedy University is accredited by the IACBE.

Accreditation: IACBE, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#18 Azusa Pacific University School of Business and Management – Azusa, California

The School of Business and Management at Azusa Pacific University offers an online MBA with an Accounting, Sport Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Organizational Science, International Business, and Marketing. This comprehensive and highly accessible forty-two credit hour program allows an excellent level of flexibility with an added benefit of high-quality instruction and great communication from the staff at APU’s business school. Online MBA students can take classes wherever and whenever they choose yet still have an excellent opportunity to network with fellow students and instructors. Work, family, and school all can be prioritized with this dynamic online format. Azusa’s business school hold a year-round schedule with eight-week terms allowing online students to move at a rapid pace through the online MBA classified as average in affordability. This online MBA begins with a foundational course in ethical leadership that allows students to look at leadership through a Christian moral perspective while setting the stage for the faith integration integral to the program. All coursework is rigorous, comprehensive, and experiential, often exposing students to real-life simulations and cases in which distance learners act as the decision makers and sharpen their creativity and MBA resources to become problem-solvers.

Students taking one class each term can expect to complete the online MBA in 30 months while students who double-up on classes and take two each term can cut their program length in half and complete all requirements in just fifteen months. Many business professionals are responsible for hectic and unpredictable work schedules, and the business school is aware of this by allowing online MBA students the chance to take up to five years from the time they begin their program to graduate. The School of Business and Management recommends students account for six to ten hours each week to complete course assignments and projects.

Accreditation: IACBE, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#19 Touro University Worldwide School of Business – Los Alamitos, California

The School of Business at Touro University Worldwide’s delivers an online MBA with a concentration in Accounting, Cybersecurity Management, Nonprofit Management, Finance, Global Management, Marketing, Health Administration Management, and Human Resources Management. Professional Communications, Managing Organizational Behavior, Management Across Cultures, Ethics for Business Professionals, Strategy and Planning, Managerial Accounting, Financial Principles & Management, and Contemporary Marketing are all high-quality courses delivered within this remarkable online MBA. The business school touts an affordable tuition rate of less than $19,000. The GMAT and GRE placement test scores are not required of the business school. This added level of convenience means students do not have to prepare for these placement tests and then spend money paying for them. Distance learners who register for two courses each term for all six consecutive sessions can expect to complete all program requirements in as few as twelve months. Many business schools can only offer one to three start times each year which can add an inconvenience to graduate students wanting to get their careers to the next level. The School of Business allows business school students to begin coursework six times each year.

There has never been a better time to pursue an online MBA like this one from Touro University Worldwide as organizations of all types and sizes are constantly in need or properly trained managers willing to enhance the organization’s value within the global market. With a regional accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission, Touro University Worldwide offers degree plans for associate students, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs alike. There are currently 1,355 students enrolled at Touro. The school operates out of Los Alamitos, California.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Affordable

#20 Trident University International Glenn R. Jones College of Business – Cypress, California

The Glenn R. Jones College of Business at Trident University International delivers an online MBA. Specializations associated with this degree include Logistics, Conflict and Negotiation Management, General Management, Strategic Leadership, Human Resource Management, Safety Management, Information Security and Digital Assurance Management, and Information Technology Management. The business school centers on the areas of skills, strategies, and theory throughout this program’s length. Students will not only be exposed to excellent business theories, but they will also work to create business plans that will help them collect, study, and evaluate business data to plug in information to increase business effectiveness. Graduates from the Glenn R. Jones College of Business are expected to flourish in verbal and written communication that will improve an organization’s performance and productivity. The affordable tuition rate of under $20,000 adds to this online MBA’s accessibility.

The business school at Trident University International does not require incoming students to produce placement test scores like the GMAT and GRE. The admissions office at the business school instead leans in on a candidate’s resume, past academic experience, and recommendations both on the academic and professional level. Students can expect core courses like Business Ethics, Business Analytics, Strategic Management, and Decision Making within this online MBA. TUI is a relatively young school established just over 20 years ago in 1998. It was first known as Touro University International and became an independent university in 2007. All of the university’s 6,982 students attend classes through an online format. Three-fourths of the school’s student body are United States military personnel. Trident’s main headquarters are located in Cypress, California.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Affordable

What is California Known For?

The state of California offers its residents and tourists alike tons of opportunities to experience, an ideal climate, top industry and schools, and some of the country’s most incredible tourist attractions all over the state. Because California spans 163,695 square miles, it offers a diverse topography and environmental features that are as interesting and unique as the people who call California home. Here are just a few of the features and attractions that California is known for.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Few can dispute that the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most well-known bridges in the United States. The bridge connects Oakland and San Francisco and was opened to the public in 1937. The famous color of the bridge is known as “International Orange” and was selected to best complement the surrounding landscape. The bridge’s color is also better for visibility. This iconic marvel of engineering has also been featured in many films over the years including 1941’s The Maltese Falcon and The Rock in 1998.

Napa Valley

Widely known as one of the world’s premier wine regions, Napa Valley provides the visitor with scenic wineries and interesting culture to enjoy. Day-trippers can drive through the countryside and visit one of the 400+ wineries in the area while vacationers wanting to stay in the region can find luxurious accommodations and spa treatments galore.

The San Diego Zoo

San Diego, California features one of the best zoos in the world. One will find over 600 species of animals there and will certainly get their walking exercise in by traipsing over the large acreage of the zoo. The zoo offers wonderful educational workshops and access to the friendly staff who do well to communicate the zoos ongoing preservation and rescue efforts.

La Jolla Cove, La Jolla

Obviously, California is synonymous with beautiful beaches, but one gem is found in La Jolla. This small beach community offers tourists a scenic beach cove characterized by beautiful blue water, clean sand, and rocky cliffs jutting out into the ocean. While walking along the smaller La Jolla shore, one may see seals lying on the rocks. The Southern California culture can definitely be felt in La Jolla as the community features intimate coffee shops and quaint restaurants.

Is California a Good State to Live In?

There are several reasons why one may desire to live in California. This iconic state is famous for its ideal climate and glamorous lifestyle. A closer look at the state of California offers several reasons why one may want to consider living there.

California’s Economy

Some may think California is full of movie stars and famous people, but the state also boasts an incredible tech sector known as Silicon Valley. While California accounts for only 12% of the total population in the United States, its economy has accounted for over 16% of job growth from 2012 to 2017. Large metropolitan areas of Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, and San Francisco are where the majority of this growth and economic development is taking place. Just how big is California’s economy? It is reported as larger than the United Kingdom’s.

California’s Scenery

A drive down California’s Pacific Coast Highway offers hours of breathtaking views that overlook the Pacific Ocean and show off California in an amazing way. What other state offers such diversity of mountains, beaches, deserts, farmlands, valleys, and more? Southern California is famous for its excellent climate which offers outdoor living year-round.

California’s Culture

The state has been described as a melting pot to the west ever since there were claims of gold in the mountains during the 1800s. With so many ethnic cultures converging on California, visitors are treated to wonderful attractions and restaurants all over the state. Some of the best cities to take in the California culture include San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

Who are the Largest Employers in California?

The state of California offers business professionals lots of opportunities to find work at many levels. Silicon Valley was built because of the advances in technology while Hollywood and the music business thrive, because of filmmakers, movie stars, and recording artists live in and around Los Angeles. Here are some of the biggest employers in the state of California.

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

Disney headquarters out of Anaheim, California and the organization is responsible for overseeing the company’s theme parks and resorts located all over the world. California’s Disneyland alone employs over 20,000 full and part-time employees, and the theme parks themselves greet over 130 million of the world’s population annually.

Nestle USA

Well known for its chocolates and candies, Nestle USA also produces products like coffee, food service, pet care, skin health, and purified water. Nestle is a social-conscious company that also provides health and wellness education services. The leadership of Nestle USA has made water conservation and innovation a top priority as California has been plagued with drought issues for years.

The University of California, Los Angeles

UCLA is one of the best-known universities in the world. Many famous people are UCLA graduates, and the sports teams at the university have a long history of athletic success. The school operates within an annual budget of seven billion dollars and offers over 330 academic programs to a large student body.

32nd St Naval Station

Some may be surprised to know the Naval Base in San Diego is one of the state’s biggest employers. The base serves as the United States Navy’s principal seaport and employs over 20,000 military workers and 5,000 civilian employees.

Each of these organizations located in California rely on skilled leaders in their respective areas of business expertise. Many roles open to managers within these companies are filled by competently trained personnel. A degree like the online MBA is a perfect education to pursue to become prepared for success in business. Some of the best universities in California offer online MBAs.

How Much do Online MBAs Cost in California?

The expense of one of the best California Online MBA programs can be as diverse as the educational experience contained in the business school providing the degree. It is key that distance learners do their research when looking into degree qualities. The factors that make up a program are numerous. Program length, accreditation, style of teaching, format, and business school reputation should all be considered when evaluating an online MBA.

One of the most important characteristics of an online MBA is its affordability. This goes beyond tuition price. What will a degree cost in the long run if a program lacking academic credibility goes on your resume? Here are some online MBAs to consider that offer the best value in business education in California.

The online MBA at United States University

This program consists of thirty-six credit hours and is listed at less than $12,000 in tuition. USU offers this online MBA at its College of Business with excellent concentrations for students to choose from including Finance, International Business, and Marketing.

The online MBA at Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University has a storied history of providing the very best in higher education. An online MBA from the Graziadio Business School is a substantial element on any professional’s academic resume. The business school located in Malibu, California benefits from elite accreditation through the AACSB-International. While the tuition rate at Pepperdine is considered expensive, online MBAs like this one typically demand higher salary potential.

The online MBA at National University

This online degree offered at the university located in La Jolla, California offers an excellent balance of an average tuition rate and strong potential for a return on the investment of business education. An online MBA student will pay less than $30,000 in tuition and still have access to excellent student services within a nationally-ranked program.