The Best MBA Programs in Los Angeles for 2026
The best MBA programs 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 24 accredited MBA 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 96.9 Hakia Score on a 93% graduation rate, at $12,260 a year. Across all 18 ranked MBA programs in Los Angeles the average graduation rate is 68%, ranging from 21% to 100%. 5 of the 18 are public and 13 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below. National median pay for the field is $105,770 a year per the BLS, the benchmark every school on this list feeds into regardless of what it charges.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at what actually separates the MBA programs 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 MBA Programs in Los Angeles
- University of California-Los Angeles ranks first among MBA programs in Los Angeles with a 96.9 Hakia Score and a 93% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 18 ranked MBA programs in Los Angeles spans $6,084 to $69,904 a year, a $63,820 gap for the same credential.
- The 18 ranked MBA programs in Los Angeles graduate 68% of students on average, from 21% to 100%.
- 5 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.
- National median pay in the field is $105,770 (BLS), the same benchmark whichever Los Angeles school a student picks.
Hakia analyzed 24 accredited MBA 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 MBA Programs 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% | 96.9 |
| 2 | University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $69,904 | 92% | 10% | 96.3 |
| 3 | California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA | Public | $6,084 | 69% | 46% | 92.4 |
| 4 | Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $60,970 | 79% | 45% | 91.5 |
| 5 | Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA | Nonprofit | $69,130 | 83% | 63% | 90.6 |
| 6 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA | Public | $6,084 | 68% | 75% | 87.2 |
| 7 | Pacific States UniversityLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $7,200 | 100% | NR | 84.3 |
| 8 | Angeles CollegeLos Angeles, CA | For-profit | NR | 93% | NR | 84.1 |
| 9 | The Chicago School at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $19,512 | NR | 46% | 83.8 |
| 10 | University of La VerneLa Verne, CA | Nonprofit | $48,550 | 63% | 71% | 79.5 |
| 11 | California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | Public | $6,084 | 53% | 91% | 77.1 |
| 12 | California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA | Public | $6,084 | 57% | 93% | 76.6 |
| 13 | Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $48,104 | 53% | 73% | 74.2 |
| 14 | Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA | Nonprofit | $43,758 | 62% | 88% | 73.4 |
| 15 | Pacific Oaks CollegePasadena, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $32,040 | NR | 34% | 72.6 |
| 16 | Woodbury UniversityBurbank, CA | Nonprofit | $45,562 | 60% | 82% | 69.6 |
| 17 | University of the PeoplePasadena, CA · online option | Nonprofit | NR | 34% | NR | 68.9 |
| 18 | Los Angeles Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $12,360 | 21% | NR | 65.0 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top MBA Programs 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 MBA Programs 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 mba programs ranked here, holding a 96.9 Hakia Score on a 93% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 96.9, #1 of 18
- 93% graduation rate
- $12,260 in-state vs $44,148 out-of-state
- Most selective program here
UCLA is a public institution in Los Angeles, CA. Its MBA program ranks #1 of the 18 analyzed here with a 96.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 81.3 group average. The program graduates 93% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. UCLA admits 9% of applicants, more selective than the 59% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 21% 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 68% average across this ranking, on a 96.3 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 96.3, #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 MBA program ranks #2 of the 18 analyzed here with a 96.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 81.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 0.6 points behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 92% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. USC admits 10% of applicants, more selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 21% 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 mba programs ranked here, holding a 92.4 Hakia Score on a 69% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 92.4, #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 MBA program lands at #3 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 92.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 81.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 4.5 points behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 69% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Cal State Long Beach admits 46% of applicants, more selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 21% 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 draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 79%
- Admit rate
- 45%
- In-state
- $60,970
- Out-of-state
- $60,970
Loyola Marymount graduates 79% of its students, above the 68% average across this ranking, on a 91.5 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 91.5, #4 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 MBA program lands at #4 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 91.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 81.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 5.4 points behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 79% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Loyola Marymount admits 45% of applicants, more selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. The university enrolls 10,179 students overall.
On cost, Loyola Marymount charges $60,970 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.
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 83%
- Admit rate
- 63%
- In-state
- $69,130
- Out-of-state
- $69,130
Pepperdine graduates 83% of its students, above the 68% average across this ranking, on a 90.6 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 90.6, #5 of 18
- 83% graduation rate
- $69,130 tuition
- Admits just 63% of applicants
Based in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #5 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 90.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 81.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 6.3 points behind top-ranked UCLA. The program graduates 83% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Pepperdine admits 63% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. The university enrolls 8,976 students overall.
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 main draw here is its above-average completion.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 75%
- In-state
- $6,084
- Out-of-state
- $18,684
At $6,084 a year in-state, Cal Poly Pomona is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding an 87.2 Hakia Score on a 68% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 87.2, #6 of 18
- 68% graduation rate
- $6,084 in-state vs $18,684 out-of-state
- Admits just 75% of applicants
Based in Pomona, CA, Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #6 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 87.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 81.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 68% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Cal Poly Pomona admits 75% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 27,636 students.
On cost, Cal Poly Pomona 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 draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Pacific States University
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 100%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $7,200
- Out-of-state
- $7,200
At $7,200 a year in-state, Pacific States is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding an 84.3 Hakia Score on a 100% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 84.3, #7 of 18
- 100% graduation rate
- $7,200 tuition
- Top graduation rate on this list
Pacific States is a private, nonprofit institution in Los Angeles, CA. Its MBA program ranks #7 of the 18 analyzed here with an 84.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 81.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 100% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 101 students.
On cost, Pacific States charges $7,200 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 above-average completion.
Angeles College
Los Angeles, CA · For-profit
- Grad rate
- 93%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- NR
- Out-of-state
- NR
Angeles College graduates 93% of its students, above the 68% average across this ranking, on an 84.1 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 84.1, #8 of 18
- 93% graduation rate
- 603 students enrolled
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Angeles College is a private, for-profit institution. Its MBA program lands at #8 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 84.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 81.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 93% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 603 students.
For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
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
Chicago School at Los Angeles ranks #9 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with an 83.8 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 83.8, #9 of 18
- $19,512 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Chicago School at Los Angeles is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #9 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 83.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 81.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. Chicago School at Los Angeles admits 46% of applicants, more selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, 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 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. For prospective students, the draw here is genuine selectivity paired with an online option.
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 63%
- Admit rate
- 71%
- In-state
- $48,550
- Out-of-state
- $48,550
La Verne ranks #10 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 79.5 Hakia Score and a 63% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 79.5, #10 of 18
- 63% graduation rate
- $48,550 tuition
- Admits just 71% of applicants
La Verne is a private, nonprofit institution in La Verne, CA. Its MBA program ranks #10 of the 18 analyzed here with a 79.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 81.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 63% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. La Verne admits 71% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. The university enrolls 5,021 students overall.
On cost, La Verne charges $48,550 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. It earns its place in the top 18 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 53%
- Admit rate
- 91%
- In-state
- $6,084
- Out-of-state
- $18,684
At $6,084 a year in-state, Cal State LA is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 77.1 Hakia Score on a 53% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 77.1, #11 of 18
- 53% graduation rate
- $6,084 in-state vs $18,684 out-of-state
- Admits just 91% of applicants
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Cal State LA is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #11 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 77.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 81.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 53% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Cal State LA admits 91% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 23,163 students.
On cost, Cal State LA 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.
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 57%
- Admit rate
- 93%
- In-state
- $6,084
- Out-of-state
- $18,684
At $6,084 a year in-state, Cal State Northridge is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 76.6 Hakia Score on a 57% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 76.6, #12 of 18
- 57% graduation rate
- $6,084 in-state vs $18,684 out-of-state
- Admits just 93% of applicants
Cal State Northridge is a public institution in Northridge, CA. Its MBA program ranks #12 of the 18 analyzed here with a 76.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 81.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 57% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Cal State Northridge admits 93% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 38,313 students.
On cost, Cal State Northridge 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.
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 53%
- Admit rate
- 73%
- In-state
- $48,104
- Out-of-state
- $48,104
Mount Saint Mary's ranks #13 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 74.2 Hakia Score and a 53% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 74.2, #13 of 18
- 53% graduation rate
- $48,104 tuition
- Admits just 73% of applicants
Mount Saint Mary's is a private, nonprofit institution in Los Angeles, CA. Its MBA program ranks #13 of the 18 analyzed here with a 74.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 81.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 53% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Mount Saint Mary's admits 73% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,312 students.
On cost, Mount Saint Mary's charges $48,104 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. It earns its place in the top 18 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 62%
- Admit rate
- 88%
- In-state
- $43,758
- Out-of-state
- $43,758
Azusa Pacific ranks #14 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 73.4 Hakia Score and a 62% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 73.4, #14 of 18
- 62% graduation rate
- $43,758 tuition
- Admits just 88% of applicants
Azusa Pacific is a private, nonprofit institution in Azusa, CA. Its MBA program ranks #14 of the 18 analyzed here with a 73.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 81.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 62% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Azusa Pacific admits 88% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. The university enrolls 6,272 students overall.
On cost, Azusa Pacific charges $43,758 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.
Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena, CA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- 34%
- In-state
- $32,040
- Out-of-state
- $32,040
Pacific Oaks College ranks #15 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 72.6 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 72.6, #15 of 18
- $32,040 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Pasadena, CA, Pacific Oaks College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #15 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 72.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 81.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. Pacific Oaks College admits 34% of applicants, more selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,068 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Pacific Oaks College charges $32,040 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. For prospective students, the draw here is genuine selectivity paired with an online option.
Woodbury University
Burbank, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 60%
- Admit rate
- 82%
- In-state
- $45,562
- Out-of-state
- $45,562
Woodbury ranks #16 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 69.6 Hakia Score and a 60% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 69.6, #16 of 18
- 60% graduation rate
- $45,562 tuition
- Admits just 82% of applicants
Woodbury is a private, nonprofit institution in Burbank, CA. Its MBA program ranks #16 of the 18 analyzed here with a 69.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 81.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 60% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Woodbury admits 82% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 9% rate at UCLA, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 849 students.
On cost, Woodbury charges $45,562 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. It earns its place in the top 18 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
University of the People
Pasadena, CA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 34%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- NR
- Out-of-state
- NR
University of the People ranks #17 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 68.9 Hakia Score and a 34% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 68.9, #17 of 18
- 34% graduation rate
- Online option available
University of the People is a private, nonprofit institution in Pasadena, CA. Its MBA program ranks #17 of the 18 analyzed here with a 68.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 81.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 34% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 41,961 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
Los Angeles Pacific University
San Dimas, CA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 21%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $12,360
- Out-of-state
- $12,360
Los Angeles Pacific ranks #18 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 65.0 Hakia Score and a 21% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 65.0, #18 of 18
- 21% graduation rate
- $12,360 tuition
- Online option available
Based in San Dimas, CA, Los Angeles Pacific is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #18 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 65.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 81.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 21% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 21% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,881 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Los Angeles Pacific charges $12,360 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. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
What MBA Programs 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 MBA programs in Los Angeles is California State University-Long Beach at $6,084; the cheapest private is Pacific States University at $7,200.
Over the two years the credential takes, that is roughly $12,168 in tuition at California State University-Long Beach against about $139,808 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.
How Selective MBA Programs in Los Angeles Are
Admission odds across the MBA programs in Los Angeles are nowhere near uniform. University of California-Los Angeles admits 9% of applicants, the tightest on this list, while California State University-Northridge admits 93%. A candidate with an uneven undergraduate record has real options here without leaving Los Angeles.
That is an 84-point spread, wide enough that the MBA programs in Los Angeles do not form a single tier. A file that is competitive at California State University-Northridge will not necessarily clear University of California-Los Angeles, so applying across the range rather than within one band is the sensible strategy here. Completion does not follow the same order: Pacific States University finishes 100% of its students, the strongest on this list, which is why selectivity is one input to the Hakia Score rather than the score itself.
Accreditation Across Los Angeles Business Schools
The MBA programs in Los Angeles lean private: 13 of the 18 ranked schools are private against 5 public, which is most of why the tuition column above spans what it does. Accreditation is what makes those prices comparable at all. For an MBA the signal employers read is business-school accreditation from AACSB sitting on top of the university's institutional accreditation, and a private school charging $69,904 is not thereby carrying it. Confirm it on the school's own page: Pacific States University at $7,200 and the priciest name on this list are held to the same standard.
Why Study for an MBA in Los Angeles
The 18 ranked schools are spread across 10 towns, which makes "Los Angeles" a looser description than the heading suggests. University of California-Los Angeles tops the list, with University of Southern California and California State University-Long Beach behind it, and the table names the town of each. For a part-time cohort meeting on weeknights that spread is the deciding constraint: a campus across the metro is a different degree from one on the way home, whatever the ranking says.
4 of the 18 also run a confirmed online option, which keeps the credential but gives up most of the local access that justifies studying in Los Angeles in the first place.
Careers and Pay After a Los Angeles MBA
Every one of the MBA programs in Los Angeles points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay for the field at $105,770 a year, a figure that describes the profession rather than any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $6,084 at California State University-Long Beach or $69,904 at University of Southern California. That is the tradeoff this ranking exists to expose: in the federal wage data, a higher price does not buy a higher salary.
Set against a single national benchmark, the 11-fold tuition spread on this page is the reason to look hard at the cheap end before the famous end. California State University-Long Beach and University of Southern California feed graduates into the same wage distribution, and nothing in the federal data attaches a higher salary to the higher price. Pay in a metro the size of Los Angeles generally runs above the national median, and so does the cost of living that absorbs it. Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and metro wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS.
MBA Programs in Los Angeles: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best MBA program in Los Angeles?
By Hakia Score, University of California-Los Angeles ranks first among the 18 ranked MBA programs in Los Angeles, with a 96.9 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.
Do MBA programs in Los Angeles require the GMAT?
Fewer of them every year, and the 18 ranked here are not uniform about it. University of California-Los Angeles is the tightest on this list at 9% and California State University-Northridge the most open at 93%, so the answer depends on which of them a candidate is applying to. Many programs now waive the GMAT or GRE for applicants with several years of relevant work, and the terms differ program by program, so check them on each school's admissions page before registering for a test. A waiver saves the fee and the study time, and it does not loosen the rest of the file.
How much does an MBA 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 MBA programs in Los Angeles does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 24 accredited MBA 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 doing an MBA 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.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $105,770 a year for the field. It is a national benchmark rather than a Los Angeles figure or a promise from any school on this page. Its use is scale: the same median sits behind California State University-Long Beach at $6,084 a year and University of Southern California at $69,904, and that is the comparison worth making before committing to the second.
How the MBA Programs 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.