List of Best California Online Colleges & Schools

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - May 1, 2018
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Reading Time: 5 minutes

Colleges in California help tens of thousands of students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees every year. Getting a business or management related degree in the Golden State is easier than ever, with many universities offering online business or management related bachelor’s, master’s, MBA and even doctoral degrees. Students who want to earn their degree from the comfort of their own home while continuing to work and care for their family can easily do so.

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With all of the online colleges to choose from in California, it can be hard to make up one’s mind. Below is more information about the top 10 online California colleges and their business and management related programs.

With this information, it should be easier to determine which college and program is for you.

#1 University of Southern California

USC offers many online graduate programs that are expanding educational access across the world, while also maintaining the university’s well-deserved reputation for academic rigor, quality and integrity. All online students benefit from the same high quality degree programs and tough intellectual standards that have established USC as a top, private research college. The university currently offers 88 online programs to 7300 graduate and executive education students, with master’s programs available in business, taxation and supply chain management, as well as public administration. The online university is currently ranked by US News and World Report #8 for best online MBA, and #13 for best online graduate business programs overall.

  • Campus: Los Angeles, online
  • Type: Private, non-profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Minimum time commitment: 18-24 months
  • On campus requirements: Varies
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Master of Business Administration, Master of Business Taxation, Master of Global Supply Management, Public Administration

#2 Pepperdine University

The online MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management has been designed for working professionals and embraces experienced-driven business learning that can apply to your current business management position. The business school is accredited by the AACSB and is currently ranked among the top online MBA programs by US News and World Report; it also is ranked as a top business school for 2017 by Princeton Review. Pepperdine also offers a two year, online Bachelor of Business Management that provides ample opportunity to grow your leadership potential and advancement opportunities.

  • Campus: Los Angeles, online
  • Type: Private, non-profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Minimum time commitment: 18-36 months
  • On campus requirements: Varies
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Bachelors in Management, Master of Business Administration

#3 University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco offers a fully online Master of Public Administration with no GRE required. This program teaches graduate students to navigate the intersection of the nonprofit, public and private sectors. You also will learn how to translate theory into practice and support and implement public policies that help your community. This online MPA degree program puts a priority on hands on experience that will prepare you to deal with public interest problems. The flexible class schedule helps working professionals to balance their work and school obligations.

  • Campus: San Francisco, online
  • Type: Private, non-profit
  • Accreditation: NASPAA
  • Minimum time commitment: 24 months
  • On campus requirements: No
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Master of Public Administration

#4 Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University is a Christian university that was ranked as a Tier One National University according to US News and World Report with a #183 ranking. It offers a bachelor’s degree in business administration, as well as a bachelor’s in management and a master of business administration. The bachelor’s in business is designed for students who have a minimum of 15 units of college credit, with the following concentrations: digital marketing, financial management, financial planning, HR management, and logistics and supply chain management.

  • Campus: Azusa, CA, online
  • Type: Public, non-profit
  • Accreditation: IACBE
  • Minimum time commitment: 24 months
  • On campus requirements: No
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Management, Master of Business Administration

#5 Cal State Online

Cal State Online is an accredited consortium university that leverages 23 individual campuses and more than 49,000 faculty and staff into its online degree offerings. It offers a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, operations and supply chain management and general management. Hybrid programs with online and campus based aspects are also available at the bachelor’s level in accounting, marketing and management. There also is an online MBA program, as well as a Master of Accountancy program.

  • Campus: Various, online
  • Type: Public, non-profit
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Minimum time commitment: 24 months
  • On campus requirements: No
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Finance, Bachelor of Operations and Supply Chain Management, Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy

#6 Fresno State University

The Craig School of Business at Fresno University offers an MBA program that can be completed either in person or online. The business management curriculum follows the same format as Fresno’s traditional MBA. Graduates will develop an advanced ability to add value to their current organization. Courses in the two year, full time MBA program are Managerial Economics, Accounting and Information Systems, Methods of Decision Sciences, and Global Environment of Business. The accelerated Bachelor of Business Administration can be completed partially online.

  • Campus: Fresno CA, online
  • Type: Public, non-profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Minimum time commitment: 24 months
  • On campus requirements: No for MBA; yes for Bachelors
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Master of Business Administration, Accelerated Bachelor of Business Administration

#7 Stanislaus State University

The online MBA at Stanislaus State has been designed to meet the complex needs of busy professionals and executives who are unable to attend business school in person. This is an AACSB-accredited program, and all of the professors have been certified by the Online Learning Consortium to teach online. This accredited, two year program is recognized for the individual attention that each business student receives from professors.

  • Campus: Turlock CA, online
  • Type: Public, non-profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Minimum time commitment: 24 months
  • On campus requirements: No
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Master of Business Administration

#8 California Baptist University

California Baptist University is an accredited, online university that offers a variety of online bachelor’s and master’s programs in business, management and related fields. Students who complete the online MBA receive the education they need to lead companies, make vital strategic decisions and to lead effective change. The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration provides students with the fundamentals of business critical thinking, management training and an education on current business topics in the public and private sectors.

  • Campus: Riverside CA, online
  • Type: Private, non-profit
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Minimum time commitment: 24 months
  • On campus requirements: No
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – Management, Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Master of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Organizational Leadership, MBA in Accounting, Master of Public Administration

#9 National University

National University is a national leader in business management education, with an online MBA program that has a cutting edge and unique curriculum. It also have online bachelor’s programs available in accounting, business management, HR and leadership. The mission of the online MBA program is to prepare you for leadership roles in business and to give you the skills and knowledge you need to manage large business organizations around the world.

  • Campus: Various, online
  • Type: Private, non-profit
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Minimum time commitment: 24 months
  • On campus requirements: No
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy, Master of Global Management, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Business Analytics, Bachelor of Arts in Management, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.

#10 Cal Coast University

Cal Coast University is an accredited California college with online bachelor’s and master’s programs available in management, business, business marketing, business administration, organizational leadership and management. The MBA program is completely self paced and includes courses in management information systems, HR management, marketing management, financial management and international business management.

  • Campus: Santa Ana CA, online
  • Type: Private, for profit
  • Accreditation: DEAC
  • Minimum time commitment: 24 months
  • On campus requirements: No
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • Programs: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Business Marketing, Management, Organizational Leadership; Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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