Best Business Colleges in California

The term “global economy” isn’t just a catch-phrase tossed around at USC’s Marshall School of Business – it is a driving influence on the entire program. During their first year of study, all full-time MBA students enroll in the Pacific Rim International Management Education program, which examines the business environment and management styles in Pacific Rim and Latin American countries in class and during a 10-day trip abroad. At the undergraduate level, select freshmen can participate in a two-semester class that includes a spring break trip to China to meet top Asian executives. Such exposure, along with a rigorous curriculum, literally sets graduates up for a world of opportunity, and Marshall’s network of 70,000-plus alumni covering more than 40 countries is ready and willing to help open doors. A quarter of USC undergrads received a degree in a business-related discipline in 2013, making it the university’s most popular major. The undergraduate accounting and entrepreneurial studies programs frequently receive national accolades. In addition to its reputation for excellence, the graduate program is known for its flexible options designed for managers and executives seeking degrees.

Searching for an undergraduate business program with excellent prospects for future employment? Look no further than University of California – Berkeley. According to PayScale’s 2015-16 College Salary Report*, Berkeley business majors earned more money in their early career (0-5 years) and mid-career (10+ years of experience) than business grads from any other undergraduate business school.

So what makes Haas School of Business so special? Perhaps it’s the stated mission to “develop leaders who redefine how we do business.” The curriculum provides students with a solid understanding of how business operates and its role in society. Students receive core training in accounting, finance, marketing, business communication, and organizational behavior. But they also fulfill “breadth” requirements that expose them to the arts and sciences. In true Cal form, they become critical thinkers—a highly prized trait in a continuously changing global economy.

To enrich their educational experience and increase marketability, Haas encourages undergrads to study abroad. On campus, many students participate in business-related extracurricular activities. Join the 400-member-strong Berkeley Investment Group to practice hands-on portfolio management. Try your hand at developing a multi-million dollar campaign in the National Student Advertising Competition. If you’ve got the ambition, Cal has the outlet!

Students with the good fortune to land a spot at the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) need to come in ready to take on the world, literally. With a guiding philosophy of “How can you change the world if you don’t understand it?” global experiences are a key part of the MBA program. Whether you choose a four-week summer immersion, a study trip with classmates (destinations last year included Australia, Brazil, China, Finland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, and Spain), a hands-on social or environmental project, or classes at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in China, you’re sure to gain perspectives that you and potential employers will find invaluable. No wonder the school boasts alums on every continent! GSB encourages students to tailor studies to fit their needs, including taking courses through the university’s other highly regarded schools. One in six MBA students chooses to pursue a dual or joint degree. Seasoned managers can enroll in the MSx Program to earn a Master of Science degree in management in only 12 months. All students have plenty of opportunities to enrich their studies and friendships through more than 70 GSB extracurricular organizations (everything from the Big Ideas Club to the Basketball Club) and through “The View from the Top,” a GSB-hosted speaker series that has featured major leaders ranging from Mitt Romney to Oprah Winfrey.

University of California-Los Angeles offers 14 Business Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 1,700 students graduated in the study area of Business with students earning 895 Bachelor's degrees, 781 Master's degrees, and 24 Doctoral degrees.