The Best Business Schools in Los Angeles for 2026
The best business schools in Los Angeles are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name on the building. Hakia analyzed 184 accredited business programs in Los Angeles and the surrounding metro and ranked 18 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $6,084 to $69,904 a year, a $63,820 spread for the same credential.
University of California-Los Angeles leads with a 99.3 Hakia Score on a 93% graduation rate, at $12,260 a year. Across all 18 ranked business schools in Los Angeles the average graduation rate is 80%, ranging from 53% to 100%. 3 of the 18 are public and 15 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at what actually separates the business schools in Los Angeles: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. This list covers Los Angeles County, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Business Schools in Los Angeles
- University of California-Los Angeles ranks first among business schools in Los Angeles with a 99.3 Hakia Score and a 93% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 18 ranked business schools in Los Angeles spans $6,084 to $69,904 a year, a $63,820 gap for the same credential.
- The 18 ranked business schools in Los Angeles graduate 80% of students on average, from 53% to 100%.
- 3 of the 18 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what California residents actually pay.
- 4 of the 18 offer a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
Hakia analyzed 184 accredited business programs in Los Angeles and the surrounding metro reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, then ranked one entry per school on its strongest program. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 18 Best Business Schools in Los Angeles, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | Public | $12,260 | 93% | 9% | 99.3 |
| 2 | University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $69,904 | 92% | 10% | 98.3 |
| 3 | California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA | Public | $6,084 | 69% | 46% | 95.0 |
| 4 | Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont, CA | Nonprofit | $67,630 | 91% | 10% | 93.8 |
| 5 | Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $60,970 | 79% | 45% | 93.2 |
| 6 | Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $69,130 | 83% | 63% | 93.1 |
| 7 | California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA | Nonprofit | $63,402 | 94% | 3% | 91.4 |
| 8 | Scripps CollegeClaremont, CA | Nonprofit | $65,650 | 83% | 38% | 90.9 |
| 9 | Pitzer CollegeClaremont, CA | Nonprofit | $64,888 | 83% | 25% | 89.6 |
| 10 | The Chicago School at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $19,512 | NR | 46% | 88.7 |
| 11 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA | Public | $6,084 | 68% | 75% | 87.4 |
| 12 | Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $48,984 | 68% | 74% | 86.1 |
| 13 | Pacific States UniversityLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $7,200 | 100% | NR | 84.3 |
| 14 | Angeles CollegeLos Angeles, CA | For-profit | NR | 93% | NR | 84.1 |
| 15 | Pacific Oaks CollegePasadena, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $32,040 | NR | 34% | 84.0 |
| 16 | University of La VerneLa Verne, CA | Nonprofit | $48,550 | 63% | 71% | 83.5 |
| 17 | ATI College-WhittierWhitter, CA | For-profit | NR | 72% | NR | 81.5 |
| 18 | Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $48,104 | 53% | 73% | 80.7 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top Business Schools in Los Angeles at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
Inside the Top Business Schools in Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 93%
- Admit rate
- 9%
- In-state
- $12,260
- Out-of-state
- $44,148
At $12,260 a year in-state, UCLA is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 99.3 Hakia Score on a 93% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 99.3, #1 of 18
- 93% graduation rate
- $12,260 in-state vs $44,148 out-of-state
- Largest campus in this ranking
UCLA is a public institution in Los Angeles, CA. Its Business program ranks #1 of the 18 analyzed here with a 99.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 89.2 group average. The program graduates 93% of its students, above the 80% average across the ranked schools. UCLA admits 9% of applicants, more selective than the 41% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Caltech, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 53% to 100%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 47,335 students.
On cost, UCLA charges $12,260 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $44,148 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. The spread makes the program a clearer value for CA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 92%
- Admit rate
- 10%
- In-state
- $69,904
- Out-of-state
- $69,904
USC graduates 92% of its students, above the 80% average across this ranking, on a 98.3 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 98.3, #2 of 18
- 92% graduation rate
- $69,904 tuition
- Admits just 10% of applicants
USC is a private, nonprofit institution in Los Angeles, CA. Its Business program ranks #2 of the 18 analyzed here with a 98.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 89.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 1 point behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 92% of its students, above the 80% average across the ranked schools. USC admits 10% of applicants, more selective than the 41% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Caltech, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 53% to 100%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 46,566 students.
On cost, USC charges $69,904 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 46%
- In-state
- $6,084
- Out-of-state
- $18,684
At $6,084 a year in-state, Cal State Long Beach is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 95.0 Hakia Score on a 69% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 95.0, #3 of 18
- 69% graduation rate
- $6,084 in-state vs $18,684 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Based in Long Beach, CA, Cal State Long Beach is a public institution. Its Business program lands at #3 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 95.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 89.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 4.3 points behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 69% of its students, below the 80% average across the ranked schools. Cal State Long Beach admits 46% of applicants, less selective than the 41% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Caltech, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 53% to 100%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 42,003 students.
On cost, Cal State Long Beach charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. The spread makes the program a clearer value for CA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 91%
- Admit rate
- 10%
- In-state
- $67,630
- Out-of-state
- $67,630
Claremont McKenna College graduates 91% of its students, above the 80% average across this ranking, on a 93.8 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 93.8, #4 of 18
- 91% graduation rate
- $67,630 tuition
- Admits just 10% of applicants
Claremont McKenna College is a private, nonprofit institution in Claremont, CA. Its Business program ranks #4 of the 18 analyzed here with a 93.8 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 89.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 5.5 points behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 91% of its students, above the 80% average across the ranked schools. Claremont McKenna College admits 10% of applicants, more selective than the 41% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Caltech, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 53% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,393 students.
On cost, Claremont McKenna College charges $67,630 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 79%
- Admit rate
- 45%
- In-state
- $60,970
- Out-of-state
- $60,970
Loyola Marymount ranks #5 of the 18 business programs in this analysis, with a 93.2 Hakia Score and a 79% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 93.2, #5 of 18
- 79% graduation rate
- $60,970 tuition
- Admits just 45% of applicants
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #5 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 93.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 89.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 6.1 points behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 79% of its students, below the 80% average across the ranked schools. Loyola Marymount admits 45% of applicants, less selective than the 41% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Caltech, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 53% to 100%. The university enrolls 10,179 students overall.
On cost, Loyola Marymount charges $60,970 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. It earns its place in the top 18 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 83%
- Admit rate
- 63%
- In-state
- $69,130
- Out-of-state
- $69,130
Pepperdine graduates 83% of its students, above the 80% average across this ranking, on a 93.1 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 93.1, #6 of 18
- 83% graduation rate
- $69,130 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #6 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 93.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 89.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 6.2 points behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 83% of its students, above the 80% average across the ranked schools. Pepperdine admits 63% of applicants, less selective than the 41% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Caltech, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 53% to 100%. The university enrolls 8,976 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Pepperdine charges $69,130 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with an online option.
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 94%
- Admit rate
- 3%
- In-state
- $63,402
- Out-of-state
- $63,402
Caltech graduates 94% of its students, above the 80% average across this ranking, on a 91.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 91.4, #7 of 18
- 94% graduation rate
- $63,402 tuition
- Most selective program here
Based in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #7 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 91.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 89.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs, 7.9 points behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 94% of its students, above the 80% average across the ranked schools. Caltech admits 3% of applicants, more selective than the 41% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 53% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,430 students.
On cost, Caltech charges $63,402 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Scripps College
Claremont, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 83%
- Admit rate
- 38%
- In-state
- $65,650
- Out-of-state
- $65,650
Scripps College graduates 83% of its students, above the 80% average across this ranking, on a 90.9 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 90.9, #8 of 18
- 83% graduation rate
- $65,650 tuition
- Admits just 38% of applicants
Scripps College is a private, nonprofit institution in Claremont, CA. Its Business program ranks #8 of the 18 analyzed here with a 90.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 89.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 83% of its students, above the 80% average across the ranked schools. Scripps College admits 38% of applicants, more selective than the 41% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Caltech, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 53% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,137 students.
On cost, Scripps College charges $65,650 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 83%
- Admit rate
- 25%
- In-state
- $64,888
- Out-of-state
- $64,888
Pitzer College graduates 83% of its students, above the 80% average across this ranking, on an 89.6 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 89.6, #9 of 18
- 83% graduation rate
- $64,888 tuition
- Admits just 25% of applicants
Pitzer College is a private, nonprofit institution in Claremont, CA. Its Business program ranks #9 of the 18 analyzed here with an 89.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 89.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 83% of its students, above the 80% average across the ranked schools. Pitzer College admits 25% of applicants, more selective than the 41% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Caltech, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 53% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,242 students.
On cost, Pitzer College charges $64,888 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
The Chicago School at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- 46%
- In-state
- $19,512
- Out-of-state
- $19,512
At $19,512 a year in-state, Chicago School at Los Angeles is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding an 88.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 88.7, #10 of 18
- $19,512 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Chicago School at Los Angeles is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #10 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 88.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 89.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. Chicago School at Los Angeles admits 46% of applicants, less selective than the 41% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Caltech, the most selective program on this list. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 3,344 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Chicago School at Los Angeles charges $19,512 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at Cal State Long Beach to $69,904 at USC. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
What Business Schools in Los Angeles Cost
Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $6,084 to $69,904 a year. California State University-Long Beach anchors the low end at $6,084 a year, while University of Southern California sits at the top at $69,904. The cheapest public option among the business schools in Los Angeles is California State University-Long Beach at $6,084; the cheapest private is Pacific States University at $7,200.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $24,336 in tuition at California State University-Long Beach against about $279,616 at University of Southern California. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Los Angeles from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Which Business Major to Choose in Los Angeles
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in Los Angeles do not all offer the same ones. Across the 184 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Los Angeles are business administration (29 schools), accounting (14 schools), human resources (12 schools), healthcare administration (10 schools), marketing (9 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: CPA eligibility in most states requires 150 credit hours against the 120 a bachelor's confers, which changes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 14 of the schools analyzed in Los Angeles run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in Los Angeles
3 of the 18 ranked business schools in Los Angeles are public and 15 are private, and that split drives most of the $63,820 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: California State University-Long Beach charges $6,084 in-state and $18,684 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Private schools discount heavily off the published number, which is why sticker price alone is a poor comparison. Completion is the better lens: the 18 ranked schools average 80%, from 53% to 100%, and a cheap degree that does not finish is not a saving. Run each school's own net price calculator before ruling one out on tuition.
Why Study Business in Los Angeles
Being on a campus among the business schools in Los Angeles puts a student inside the employer network that school recruits into, close enough for an internship during term rather than only over the summer, and internships are what turn an undergraduate business degree into a first job.
The 18 ranked schools sit across 9 towns in the metro, among them Los Angeles, Long Beach, Claremont, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 4 of the 18 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Business Schools in Los Angeles: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business school in Los Angeles?
By Hakia Score, University of California-Los Angeles ranks first among the 18 ranked business schools in Los Angeles, with a 99.3 score and a 93% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Los Angeles?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in Los Angeles, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Los Angeles?
Tuition among the ranked Los Angeles schools runs from $6,084 to $69,904 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Los Angeles living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in Los Angeles does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 184 accredited business programs across Los Angeles and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 18 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers Los Angeles County, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in Los Angeles instead of online?
Only 4 of the 18 ranked schools are confirmed online, so in Los Angeles the campus route is the one most of this list offers. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $6,084 in-state, California State University-Long Beach is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.
How the Business Schools in Los Angeles Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.