The Best Business Schools in San Diego for 2026
The best business schools in San Diego 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 107 accredited business programs in San Diego and the surrounding metro and ranked 17 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 17 ranked schools runs from $1,104 to $58,420 a year, a $57,316 spread for the same credential.
San Diego State University leads with a 96.4 Hakia Score on a 76% graduation rate, at $6,084 a year. Across all 17 ranked business schools in San Diego the average graduation rate is 54%, ranging from 11% to 86%. 4 of the 17 are public and 13 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 San Diego: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. This list covers San Diego 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 San Diego
- San Diego State University ranks first among business schools in San Diego with a 96.4 Hakia Score and a 76% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 17 ranked business schools in San Diego spans $1,104 to $58,420 a year, a $57,316 gap for the same credential.
- The 17 ranked business schools in San Diego graduate 54% of students on average, from 11% to 86%.
- 4 of the 17 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what California residents actually pay.
- 8 of the 17 offer a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
Hakia analyzed 107 accredited business programs in San Diego 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 17 Best Business Schools in San Diego, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA | Public | $6,084 | 76% | 36% | 96.4 |
| 2 | University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA | Nonprofit | $58,420 | 84% | 52% | 93.2 |
| 3 | University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA | Public | $12,260 | 86% | 27% | 91.7 |
| 4 | Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA | Nonprofit | $45,300 | 77% | 84% | 84.2 |
| 5 | National UniversitySan Diego, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $13,284 | 43% | NR | 80.8 |
| 6 | Northcentral UniversitySan Diego, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $11,064 | NR | NR | 80.7 |
| 7 | San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego, CA | Public | $1,104 | 35% | NR | 80.5 |
| 8 | California Miramar UniversitySan Diego, CA · online option | For-profit | $9,744 | 50% | 18% | 79.1 |
| 9 | California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA | Public | $6,084 | 55% | 95% | 77.1 |
| 10 | Alliant International University-San DiegoSan Diego, CA | For-profit | $13,944 | NR | NR | 76.8 |
| 11 | John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityEscondido, CA | Nonprofit | $29,400 | 64% | 80% | 74.5 |
| 12 | Ashford UniversitySan Diego, CA · online option | For-profit | $11,040 | 11% | NR | 74.1 |
| 13 | San Diego Christian CollegeSantee, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $26,092 | 20% | 31% | 70.5 |
| 14 | Newschool of Architecture and DesignSan Diego, CA · online option | For-profit | $29,691 | 62% | 100% | 70.1 |
| 15 | San Diego Global Knowledge UniversitySan Diego, CA | For-profit | $10,320 | 45% | NR | 69.3 |
| 16 | University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesSan Marcos, CA · online option | For-profit | NR | NR | NR | 69.0 |
| 17 | United States UniversitySan Diego, CA · online option | For-profit | $6,328 | NR | NR | 67.4 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top Business Schools in San Diego 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 San Diego
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 36%
- In-state
- $6,084
- Out-of-state
- $18,684
At $6,084 a year in-state, San Diego State is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 96.4 Hakia Score on a 76% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 96.4, #1 of 17
- 76% graduation rate
- $6,084 in-state vs $18,684 out-of-state
- Admits just 36% of applicants
San Diego State is a public institution in San Diego, CA. Its Business program ranks #1 of the 17 analyzed here with a 96.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 78.6 group average. The program graduates 76% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. San Diego State admits 36% of applicants, more selective than the 58% average for the group. That is more open than the 18% rate at California Miramar, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 11% to 86%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 41,137 students.
On cost, San Diego State 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 $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. 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 San Diego
San Diego, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 84%
- Admit rate
- 52%
- In-state
- $58,420
- Out-of-state
- $58,420
University of San Diego graduates 84% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on a 93.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 93.2, #2 of 17
- 84% graduation rate
- $58,420 tuition
- Admits just 52% of applicants
University of San Diego is a private, nonprofit institution in San Diego, CA. Its Business program ranks #2 of the 17 analyzed here with a 93.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.6 group average, in the top third of the 17 ranked programs, 3.2 points behind top-ranked San Diego State. The program graduates 84% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. University of San Diego admits 52% of applicants, more selective than the 58% average for the group. That is more open than the 18% rate at California Miramar, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 11% to 86%. The university enrolls 9,714 students overall.
On cost, University of San Diego charges $58,420 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. 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.
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 86%
- Admit rate
- 27%
- In-state
- $12,260
- Out-of-state
- $44,148
California-San Diego graduates 86% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on a 91.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 91.7, #3 of 17
- 86% graduation rate
- $12,260 in-state vs $44,148 out-of-state
- Top graduation rate on this list
California-San Diego is a public institution in La Jolla, CA. Its Business program ranks #3 of the 17 analyzed here with a 91.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.6 group average, in the top third of the 17 ranked programs, 4.7 points behind top-ranked San Diego State. The program graduates 86% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. California-San Diego admits 27% of applicants, more selective than the 58% average for the group. That is more open than the 18% rate at California Miramar, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 11% to 86%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 44,256 students.
On cost, California-San Diego charges $12,260 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $44,148 out-of-state rate. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. The spread makes the program a clearer value for CA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 77%
- Admit rate
- 84%
- In-state
- $45,300
- Out-of-state
- $45,300
Point Loma Nazarene graduates 77% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on an 84.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 84.2, #4 of 17
- 77% graduation rate
- $45,300 tuition
- Admits just 84% of applicants
Point Loma Nazarene is a private, nonprofit institution in San Diego, CA. Its Business program ranks #4 of the 17 analyzed here with an 84.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.6 group average, in the top third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 77% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. Point Loma Nazarene admits 84% of applicants, less selective than the 58% average for the group. That is more open than the 18% rate at California Miramar, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 11% to 86%. The university enrolls 4,757 students overall.
On cost, Point Loma Nazarene charges $45,300 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. 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.
National University
San Diego, CA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 43%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $13,284
- Out-of-state
- $13,284
National ranks #5 of the 17 business programs in this analysis, with an 80.8 Hakia Score and a 43% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 80.8, #5 of 17
- 43% graduation rate
- $13,284 tuition
- Online option available
Based in San Diego, CA, National is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #5 of the 17 ranked here, earning an 80.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 78.6 group average, in the top third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 43% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 11% to 86%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 22,115 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, National charges $13,284 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. 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.
Northcentral University
San Diego, CA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $11,064
- Out-of-state
- $11,064
Northcentral ranks #6 of the 17 business programs in this analysis, with an 80.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 80.7, #6 of 17
- $11,064 tuition
- Online option available
Based in San Diego, CA, Northcentral is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #6 of the 17 ranked here, earning an 80.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 78.6 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The university enrolls 9,489 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Northcentral charges $11,064 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. 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.
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 35%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $1,104
- Out-of-state
- $9,960
At $1,104 a year in-state, San Diego Mesa College is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding an 80.5 Hakia Score on a 35% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 80.5, #7 of 17
- 35% graduation rate
- $1,104 in-state vs $9,960 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
San Diego Mesa College is a public institution in San Diego, CA. Its Business program ranks #7 of the 17 analyzed here with an 80.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.6 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 35% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 11% to 86%. The university enrolls 19,212 students overall.
On cost, San Diego Mesa College charges $1,104 a year in-state, roughly 9x the $9,960 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. 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 Miramar University
San Diego, CA · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 50%
- Admit rate
- 18%
- In-state
- $9,744
- Out-of-state
- $9,744
At $9,744 a year in-state, California Miramar is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 79.1 Hakia Score on a 50% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 79.1, #8 of 17
- 50% graduation rate
- $9,744 tuition
- Most selective program here
California Miramar is a private, for-profit institution in San Diego, CA. Its Business program ranks #8 of the 17 analyzed here with a 79.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.6 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 50% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. California Miramar admits 18% of applicants, more selective than the 58% average for the group. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 11% to 86%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 247 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, California Miramar charges $9,744 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. 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 genuine selectivity.
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 55%
- Admit rate
- 95%
- In-state
- $6,084
- Out-of-state
- $18,684
At $6,084 a year in-state, California State-San Marcos is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 77.1 Hakia Score on a 55% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 77.1, #9 of 17
- 55% graduation rate
- $6,084 in-state vs $18,684 out-of-state
- Admits just 95% of applicants
California State-San Marcos is a public institution in San Marcos, CA. Its Business program ranks #9 of the 17 analyzed here with a 77.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 78.6 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 55% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. California State-San Marcos admits 95% of applicants, less selective than the 58% average for the group. That is more open than the 18% rate at California Miramar, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 11% to 86%. The university enrolls 16,237 students overall.
On cost, California State-San Marcos 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 $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. 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.
Alliant International University-San Diego
San Diego, CA · For-profit
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $13,944
- Out-of-state
- $13,944
Alliant International-San Diego ranks #10 of the 17 business programs in this analysis, with a 76.8 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 76.8, #10 of 17
- $13,944 tuition
- 4,530 students enrolled
Based in San Diego, CA, Alliant International-San Diego is a private, for-profit institution. Its Business program lands at #10 of the 17 ranked here, earning a 76.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.6 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The university enrolls 4,530 students overall.
On cost, Alliant International-San Diego charges $13,944 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $1,104 at San Diego Mesa College to $58,420 at University of San Diego. 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 17 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
What Business Schools in San Diego Cost
Tuition across the 17 ranked schools runs from $1,104 to $58,420 a year. San Diego Mesa College anchors the low end at $1,104 a year, while University of San Diego sits at the top at $58,420. The cheapest public option among the business schools in San Diego is San Diego Mesa College at $1,104; the cheapest private is United States University at $6,328.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $4,416 in tuition at San Diego Mesa College against about $233,680 at University of San Diego. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to San Diego 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 San Diego
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in San Diego do not all offer the same ones. Across the 107 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in San Diego are business administration (12 schools), accounting (6 schools), healthcare administration (6 schools), finance (4 schools), human resources (4 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. 6 of the schools analyzed in San Diego run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in San Diego
4 of the 17 ranked business schools in San Diego are public and 13 are private, and that split drives most of the $57,316 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: San Diego Mesa College charges $1,104 in-state and $9,960 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 17 ranked schools average 54%, from 11% to 86%, 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 San Diego
Being on a campus among the business schools in San Diego 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 17 ranked schools sit across 5 towns in the metro, among them San Diego, La Jolla, San Marcos, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 8 of the 17 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Business Schools in San Diego: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business school in San Diego?
By Hakia Score, San Diego State University ranks first among the 17 ranked business schools in San Diego, with a 96.4 score and a 76% 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 San Diego?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in San Diego, 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 San Diego?
Tuition among the ranked San Diego schools runs from $1,104 to $58,420 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 San Diego living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in San Diego does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 107 accredited business programs across San Diego and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 17 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers San Diego County, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in San Diego instead of online?
8 of the 17 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in San Diego this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. 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 $1,104 in-state, San Diego Mesa College 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 San Diego 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.