California has long been one of the most popular places to pursue a full-time or executive MBA, but it is now proving to be a leader in distance and self-paced online learning due to the numerous online MBA Programs in California.
Also, California is home to over 966,000 businesses, highlighting numerous opportunities for graduates.
Online MBA graduates have the business acumen and management knowledge to pursue a wide range of lucrative business, management, and financial careers. An MBA is one of the most versatile degrees and is useful in almost any industry.
Jobs like human resources manager, manager of training and development, and top executive are all possible with a business degree. Depending on their previous academic or professional experience, students may also qualify for more specialized management positions in fields such as information technology (IT) or finance.
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About Online MBA Programs
The MBA is the most popular graduate management degree in the world. Employers adore it, and students are enamored with it. Every year, thousands of ambitious professionals apply to various types of online MBA programs.
As a generalist degree, the MBA provides fundamental management knowledge, which means you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of business in areas such as marketing, finance, and accounting, all while developing critical soft skills and leadership abilities.
This program was first offered by Harvard University’s Graduate School of Administration (now Harvard Business School) in 1908 and is the original graduate degree offered by business schools worldwide.
Having the letters “MBA” on your resume will help you stand out to employers, but the true meaning of the MBA extends beyond three letters on a sheet of paper. An MBA will help you expand your business knowledge, expand your professional network, and advance your career and salary prospects.
Online MBA programs are delivered in a virtual setting, which means that the student does not need to attend live or regular classes. Anyone, regardless of location, can pursue an online MBA program using broadband and a laptop.
Are The Online MBA Programs In California Worth It?
If you’ve decided to pursue an MBA, you’re probably wondering if it’s worthwhile. California has a reputation for quality. It has several low-cost MBA schools in addition to possessing many standard and accredited online MBA schools.
California has over 70 business schools that offer MBA programs throughout the state. These schools are well-known for producing competent and knowledgeable business executives.
You can spread your wings and fly with the best online MBA programs in California. With an online MBA, you can have access to excellent tutors, groups, books, teaching methods, and internship opportunities.
How Much Does Online MBA Programs In California Cost?
Obtaining an advanced degree requires both time and money. As a result, the cost of online MBA programs in California is an important factor when considering an online MBA. Students want a high-quality educational program that is also reasonably priced.
This can be difficult because the average cost per credit hour for an online MBA is high, both in California and across the country. In California, the average cost of an MBA is $1038 per credit hour, while the national average is $820 per credit hour.
Fortunately, California has several online MBA programs that are significantly less expensive per credit hour than the national and in-state averages.
What Are The Requirements For Getting The Best Online MBA Programs In California?
Every online MBA Program in California has its unique requirement for admissions.
The following are the general requirements for online MBA programs in California:
- Online Application
- A bachelor’s degree in any academic field from an accredited institution.
- Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). If an applicant has 5+ years of work experience and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, the GMAT may be waived.
- Personal Statement
- Official transcripts of colleges or universities with a degree conferred (electronic preferred)
- A resume of relevant business experience
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can discuss the applicant’s professional experience
- Application Fee.
List of Top 30 Online MBA Programs In California
Here are the top online MBA programs in California:
- National University School of Business and Management, California
- Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business – Riverside, California
- San Bernardino Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration
- Brandman University School of Business and Professional Studies
- Dominguez Hills College of Business Administration and Public Policy
- University of La Verne College of Business and Public Management
- Saint Mary’s College of California School of Economics and Business Administration
- Naval Postgraduate School Graduate School of Business and Public Policy
- Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School
- University of Southern California Marshall School of Business – Los Angeles, California
- California State University, Fresno Craig School of Business
- Northcentral University School of Business – San Diego, California
- California Southern University School of Business – Costa Mesa, California
- Point Loma Nazarene University Fermanian School of Business
- United States University College of Business Management
- John F. Kennedy University College of Business and Professional Studies
- Azusa Pacific University School of Business and Management
- Touro University Worldwide School of Business
- Glenn R. Jones College of Business – Cypress, California
- California Institute of Advanced Management
- Santa Clara University
- University of La Verne
- Carnegie Mellon University
- USC Marshall School of Business
- Parker Online Mba
- NCU School of Business
- Rice University – Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business
- University of Denver – Daniels College of Business
- Lincoln – College of Business Administration
- Stanislaus College of Business Administration.
Top 30 Online MBA Programs in California
#1. School of Business and Management
- Institution: National University
- Acceptance rate: 37%
- Program duration: 18 months-2 years
National University School of Business and Management will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully manage organizations in an ever-changing business environment.
You will gain relevant management skills in both domestic and global business settings, as well as effective team building, quantitative and qualitative decision-making, and creative problem-solving abilities that you will be able to apply immediately in your professional life.
The online MBA degree program offers specializations that will help you stand out in a competitive business environment and prepare you for its challenges.
#2.Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business
- Institution: California Baptist University
- Acceptance rate: 88%
- Program duration: 12 Months
The mission of the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University is to prepare a new generation of business leaders with the knowledge, real-world skills, and nurtured talents to successfully live out their purpose in the modern marketplace.
The online MBA program prepares graduates to fill a societal need for trustworthy organizational leaders, who restore faith in business’s value in our world.
This school believes that man was created in the image of God and that He has good work for us to do. The school believes that business is to create and supply products and services that meet the needs of people everywhere with integrity.
Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business teaches its students that personal development, profit, and economic growth are most effective when they energize the creation of value in individual lives, families, neighborhoods, communities, and thriving businesses.
#3.Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration
- Institution: California State University
- Acceptance rate: 95%
- Program duration: 16-24 months
The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration at California State University, San Bernardino offers an online MBA. The business school is acutely aware of the diverse requirements of today’s working professionals.
Because many graduate students do not have the time or resources to travel to Turlock during the week, this executive online MBA program allows students to visit the campus on Saturdays.
Within this eighteen-month program, distance learners will receive one of the best online MBAs in California.
#4. UMass Global
- Institution: University of Massachusetts
- Acceptance rate: 95%
- Program duration: 1.5 – 2 years
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program prepares you to lead and manage successful businesses. The first half of the program is designed to provide you with technical skills in your chosen emphasis area, while the second half is designed to provide you with the leadership skills you need not only to perform those duties but also to lead others in performing those duties.
#5.Dominguez Hills College of Business Administration and Public Policy
- Institution: California State University
- Acceptance rate: 20%
- Program duration: 18 months
Dominguez Hills’ College of Business Administration and Public Policy offers an online MBA with concentrations in International Business, Management, Finance, Global Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Marketing Management, Information Technology Management, and Human Resource Management.
The business school places a high value on students finding their degree to be flexible and competent in preparing them for a successful career in modern business.
This 30-credit hour online MBA heavily emphasizes the themes of critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and integration.
#6. CSUSM’s College of Business Administration
- Institution: University of San Marcos
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Program duration: 12 months
The College of Business Administration at CSUSM offers an accelerated Specialized MBA program for recent graduates (business and non-business majors) as well as international students interested in advancing their business education.
Each MBA option is determined by the high demand from employers for graduates with specialized knowledge in the following areas.
Our three specializations are:
- Advanced Study in Business Analytics
- Advanced Study in International Business
- Advanced Study in Supply Chain Management
#7. School of Economics and Business Administration
- Institution: Saint Mary’s College of California
- Acceptance rate: 5%
- Program duration: 18 months
Saint Mary’s College of California’s School of Economics and Business Administration offers a hybrid Executive MBA.
The business school is recognized by various ranking bodies for providing excellent support services for online students, such as flexibility in scheduling and completing coursework, access to the curriculum and assignments, and overall support for nontraditional students.
Graduates of this online MBA program will be able to evaluate business opportunities and create strategic implementation plans in a team setting.
Business students are encouraged to learn how to communicate effectively as a manager and leader, present analysis, justify recommended actions, and foster team support.
#8. Naval Postgraduate School
- Institution: Naval Postgraduate School
- Acceptance rate: 16.4%
- Program duration: 2 years
The Naval Postgraduate School’s Graduate School of Business and Public Policy offers an executive online MBA. The business school has made it a priority to ensure that its graduates are capable of thinking analytically and critically, as well as making sound strategic decisions in the face of uncertainty.
#9. Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
- Institution: Pepperdine University
- Acceptance rate: 83.82%
- Program duration: 1 year – 15 months
At the Graziadio Business School, Pepperdine University offers an online MBA with specializations in Finance, Leadership and Managing Organizational Change, Digital Innovation and Information Systems, Marketing, and General Management.
With a tuition rate of less than $95,000, this excellent online MBA is expensive in terms of affordability.
Organizations have never been more in need of business leaders who prioritize doing good while keeping an eye on the bottom line.
This online MBA program combines technological principles, leadership skills, strategy, and sound business ethics to produce well-rounded working professionals.
#10. USC Marshall School of Business
- Institution: University of Southern California
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Program duration: 2 years
The University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business offers an online MBA. USC’s business school is no stranger to accolades for excellence.
This business school’s goal is to provide students with the camaraderie and rigor that they would expect from an elite online MBA program. A comprehensive business curriculum is combined with powerful virtual tools.
Every course has been meticulously designed from the ground up for a one-of-a-kind online format.
#11. Gies College of Business
- Institution: University of Illinois Urbana
- Acceptance rate: 53%
- Program duration: 24-36 months
The fully online programs at Gies College of Business have a real and measurable impact. You’ll learn from world-renowned faculty and industry experts in our flexible, highly engaging online classes, and you’ll receive the quality education you’d expect from a respected, highly ranked public university. In addition, fellow students bring real-time insights from a variety of industries and cultures.
#12. NCU’s General Business MBA
- Institution: Northcentral University
- Acceptance rate: 93%
- Program duration: 2 -years
This program is intended for students who want to learn how businesses work from the inside out. It can help provide the skills and experience required to pursue executive leadership positions in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the general business sector.
Students will learn how to assess an organization’s health, deliver effective solutions, and become insightful leaders in a global business environment.
With 12 specializations, including Health Care Administration, Management, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, and Project Management, you can tailor the MBA program to your interests.
This program is ideal for those interested in business strategy, budgeting, and other operational functions.
#13. CalSouthern’s School of Business and Management
- Institution: California Southern University
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Program duration: 2 years
California Southern University’s School of Business offers an online MBA with concentration options in Management, Financial Management, Healthcare Administration, Project Management, Human Resource Management, and International Business.
The MBA program at CalSouthern is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in organizations of all sizes and across a wide range of business sectors.
Distance learners are exposed to a wide range of fundamental business principles and encouraged to develop skills in devising and implementing strategies in a variety of business operations.
The curriculum will push online MBA students to improve their communication and leadership abilities.
#14. Fermanian School of Business
- Institution: Point Loma Nazarene University
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Program duration: 2 years
Fermanian School of Business at Point Loma Nazarene University offers an online MBA with a focus on Organizational Leadership.
The four most important principles upheld by Point Loma Nazarene’s business school are:
- the ability to demonstrate wisdom in the face of difficult decisions
- a deep quantitative and qualitative business leadership knowledge
- a large personal network,
- and plenty of motivation to live out purpose on a daily basis.
The Fermanian School of Business’s online MBA requires no campus visits and allows online students to set their own schedules for coursework and assignment completion.
#15. United States University College of Business Management
- Institution: United States University
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Program duration: 20 months
United States University’s College of Business Management offers an online MBA. Along with this degree, students can pursue specializations in Business Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, and International Business.
The business school is dedicated to assisting online MBA students in developing a thorough understanding of the various functional areas of a business, such as human resources, accounting, marketing, finance, and information technology.
Students who complete this 36-credit-hour program will have honed their leadership abilities through classes in business law and ethics, organizational behavior, international/global management, organizational change and innovation, and strategic planning.
#16. John F. Kennedy University College of Business and Professional Studies
- Institution: John F. Kennedy University
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Program duration: 2 years
John F. Kennedy University’s College of Business and Professional Studies offers an online MBA. The program allows students to personalize their online MBA experience through distance learning. Students who use this program can set their own pace for course completion and will benefit from working closely with a course instructor.
#17. Azusa Pacific University School of Business and Management
- Institution: Azusa Pacific University
- Acceptance rate: 94%
- Program duration: 12-30 months
Azusa Pacific University’s School of Business and Management offers an online MBA with concentrations in Accounting, Sport Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Organizational Science, International Business, and Marketing.
This comprehensive and highly accessible forty-two-credit hour program provides excellent flexibility with the added benefit of high-quality instruction and excellent communication from APU’s business school staff.
#18. Touro University Worldwide School of Business
- Institution: Touro University Worldwide
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Program duration: 24 month
Touro University Worldwide’s School of Business offers an online MBA with specializations 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 just a few of the high-quality courses available through this exceptional online MBA.
#19. Glenn R. Jones College of Business
- Institution: Trident University International
- Acceptance rate: 24 month
- Program duration: 49%
Trident University International’s Glenn R. Jones College of Business offers an online MBA with a focus on Logistics, Conflict and Negotiation Management, General Management, Strategic Leadership, Human Resource Management, Safety Management, Information Security and Digital Assurance Management, and Information Technology Management.
Throughout the duration of this program, the business school focuses on the areas of skills, strategies, and theory.
Students will not only be exposed to excellent business theories, but they will also work on developing business plans that will assist them in collecting, studying, and evaluating business data in order to plug in information to increase business effectiveness.
#20. Craig School of Business
- Institution: California State University, Fresno
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Program duration: 11 months
California Institute of Advanced Management offers an online MBA in executive management with a concentration in business analytics. The MBA program prepares graduates to work on cutting-edge business problems.
This online program is designed to be a fast-track degree that can be completed in as little as 18 months.
#21. Leavey School of Business
- Institution: Santa Clara University
- Acceptance rate: 91%
- Program duration: 2 years
The online MBA program at Santa Clara University is designed to help ordinary professionals become Silicon Valley Professionals (SVPs). The curriculum is based on innovation and responsibility.
Students will be able to learn from the same professors who teach in the on-campus MBA program online. During the program’s two residency weekends, they will also have the opportunity to meet their peers and tour Santa Clara University’s Silicon Valley campus.
#22. La Verne’s MBA
- Institution: University of La Verne
- Acceptance rate: 67%
- Program duration: 1 – 3 years
La Verne Online university is a top-ranked online university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs through the University of La Verne.
These programs are at the forefront of online education and are taught in a flexible and convenient manner by the University of La Verne’s experienced faculty.
The university provides degree programs that can be completed entirely online. At the moment, distance education programs at the University of La Verne are only available to residents of a few states.
#23. Tepper School of Business
- Institution: Carnegie Mellon University
- Acceptance rate: 27.7%
- Program duration: 24 months
The Tepper Part-Time Online Hybrid MBA provides you with the opportunity to earn a STEM-designated MBA in a part-time, online format that is laser-focused on the future of business — informed by data, powered by humans.
In this top-ranked online program, you’ll work in collaborative teams with peers from a variety of backgrounds and skill sets.
You’ll pursue an analytics-focused curriculum while learning to harness emerging technologies and wield data to fuel better decisions, guided by the same dynamic faculty who teaches the Full-Time MBA program.
#24. USC Marshall School of Business
- Institution: University of Southern California
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Program duration: 2 years
The top-ranked USC Marshall online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program uses current, real-world scenarios to help students develop their skills as business leaders and stand out to employers, covering topics like analytics-driven decision-making, efficient communication, and effective virtual and remote collaboration.
This online MBA at USC Marshall is a daring program designed to help business leaders thrive in a data-driven, digital future.
#25. Parker Online Mba
- Institution: Parker University
- Acceptance rate: 79%
- Program duration: 21-month
Parker Online Mba’s goal is to ensure that their students are Parker Prepared. This mission expands the institution’s Master of Business Administration degree program beyond the standard curriculum into an intensive and innovative program that prepares students for management success.
#26. NCU School of Business
- Institution: Northcentral University
- Acceptance rate: 66%
- Program duration: 16 months
Every day, the workplace changes and is full of people with diverse backgrounds and professional expertise. The NCU experience is no exception, with students and faculty from all over the world representing a wide range of disciplines and industry leadership.
The School of Business promotes learning outside the classroom and believes in cultivating relationships with disciplinary professionals to encourage the practical application of knowledge.
Prospective students can expect to participate in multidisciplinary leadership dialogues that will enhance their leadership and practitioner skill set.
#27. Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business
- Institution: Rice University
- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Program duration: 2 years
Just as Rice University is praised by some as an “Ivy of the South,” so is its online MBA program. Rice Business school is a small school with big ideas. The online MBA program teaches modern business education to professionals from all over the world.
Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business is located in Houston, Texas. The school was named after Jesse Holman Jones, a Houston business and civic leader, and received its initial funding in 1974 from the Houston Endowment Inc., a philanthropic foundation established by Jones and his wife, Mary Gibbs Jones.
#28. Daniels College of Business
- Institution: University of Denver
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Program duration: 21 months
Consider starting a business, donating to a non-profit, or traveling the world to assist a company in solving a major problem. You will encounter all of these things as a student in the Denver MBA program.
This online MBA program will put you through real-world business challenges, and give you opportunities to work alongside organizations.
It’ll also give you access to a diverse network of business leaders in just 21 months.
#29. College of Business Administration
- Institution: University of Nebraska—Lincoln
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Program duration: 2 years
MBA Nebraska (online) is consistently ranked as the best value program in the United States. Engage with Nebraska’s Big Ten business faculty via relevant online classes, gain access to our industry-leading career center, and prepare to advance your career.
You can finish your program by taking both on-campus and online classes. Students in the Flex MBA program can take the majority of their core classes on campus while also having the option of taking elective courses online.
#30. Stanislaus College of Business Administration
- Institution: California State University
- Acceptance rate: 89.3%
- Program duration: 2 years
Stanislaus State’s AACSB-accredited Online MBA (OMBA) program is designed for busy working professionals and executives who want a high-quality, affordable education with the flexibility and convenience of full-distance learning.
Consider earning a Master of Business Administration degree that allows you to study anywhere, at any time, and at your own pace. At Stan State, you can complete your MBA in as little as two years or as long as seven.
FAQs on Online MBA Programs in California
Do online MBA programs work?
Yes, Online MBA works effectively. Their courses are designed for you to engage and learn at your own pace.
What is the difference between online MBA and regular MBA?
While online programs allow for greater scheduling flexibility, full-time programs provide students with more personalized coursework as well as the opportunity to fully utilize internships, networking, and other career resources.
Are online MBA programs in California easier to get into?
They are, indeed easier. In contrast to traditional MBA programs that require a certain level of work experience or a high score on the CAT, SNAP, XAT, CMAT, and MAT.
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Conclusion
Online MBAs can be worthwhile if you prioritize cost and flexibility and are willing to engage in online interactions with peers and professors.
Obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can strengthen your business acumen, improve your ability to lead, and connect you to a large network of like-minded individuals.
Will these advantages be maintained if your MBA is completed entirely online? It is determined by your personal and professional objectives, financial results, costs, and other factors.
