The Best Business Schools in San Francisco for 2026
The best business schools in San Francisco 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 120 accredited business programs in San Francisco 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 $65,127 a year, a $59,043 spread for the same credential.
University of California-Berkeley leads with a 99.3 Hakia Score on a 93% graduation rate, at $12,260 a year. Across all 18 ranked business schools in San Francisco the average graduation rate is 69%, ranging from 29% to 100%. 7 of the 18 are public and 11 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 Francisco: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. This list covers the wider Bay Area, so some schools sit well 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 Francisco
- University of California-Berkeley ranks first among business schools in San Francisco with a 99.3 Hakia Score and a 93% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 18 ranked business schools in San Francisco spans $6,084 to $65,127 a year, a $59,043 gap for the same credential.
- The 18 ranked business schools in San Francisco graduate 69% of students on average, from 29% to 100%.
- 7 of the 18 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what California residents actually pay.
- 1 of the 18 offers a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
Hakia analyzed 120 accredited business programs in San Francisco 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 San Francisco, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA | Public | $12,260 | 93% | 11% | 99.3 |
| 2 | Stanford UniversityStanford, CA | Nonprofit | $65,127 | 92% | 4% | 96.3 |
| 3 | Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA | Nonprofit | $60,639 | 88% | 48% | 95.0 |
| 4 | Golden Gate UniversitySan Francisco, CA | Nonprofit | $11,088 | NR | NR | 91.9 |
| 5 | University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA | Nonprofit | $59,950 | 70% | 62% | 90.4 |
| 6 | Minerva UniversitySan Francisco, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $21,630 | NR | 3% | 89.0 |
| 7 | Northeastern University OaklandOakland, CA | Nonprofit | $64,990 | NR | 17% | 88.8 |
| 8 | Lincoln UniversityOakland, CA | Nonprofit | $12,600 | 100% | NR | 87.3 |
| 9 | Dominican University of CaliforniaSan Rafael, CA | Nonprofit | $51,316 | 78% | 83% | 84.1 |
| 10 | San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA | Public | $6,084 | 69% | 85% | 83.4 |
| 11 | Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoraga, CA | Nonprofit | $57,303 | 70% | 87% | 81.4 |
| 12 | Menlo CollegeAtherton, CA | Nonprofit | $52,700 | 54% | 68% | 79.9 |
| 13 | Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA | Public | $6,084 | 58% | 93% | 79.1 |
| 14 | San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA | Public | $6,084 | 50% | 96% | 75.7 |
| 15 | California State University-East BayHayward, CA | Public | $6,084 | 48% | 97% | 75.2 |
| 16 | California State University Maritime AcademyVallejo, CA | Public | $6,084 | 60% | 95% | 75.1 |
| 17 | University of California-San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA | Public | NR | NR | NR | 74.0 |
| 18 | University of Silicon ValleySan Jose, CA | For-profit | $21,480 | 29% | 51% | 70.1 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top Business Schools in San Francisco 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 Francisco
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 93%
- Admit rate
- 11%
- In-state
- $12,260
- Out-of-state
- $44,148
UC Berkeley graduates 93% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 99.3 Hakia Score.
- 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
UC Berkeley is a public institution in Berkeley, 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 84.2 group average. The program graduates 93% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. UC Berkeley admits 11% of applicants, more selective than the 60% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Minerva, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 29% to 100%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 45,882 students.
On cost, UC Berkeley 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 $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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.
Stanford University
Stanford, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 92%
- Admit rate
- 4%
- In-state
- $65,127
- Out-of-state
- $65,127
Stanford graduates 92% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 96.3 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 96.3, #2 of 18
- 92% graduation rate
- $65,127 tuition
- Admits just 4% of applicants
Stanford is a private, nonprofit institution in Stanford, CA. Its Business 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 84.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 3 points behind top-ranked UC Berkeley. The program graduates 92% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Stanford admits 4% of applicants, more selective than the 60% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Minerva, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 29% to 100%. The university enrolls 18,625 students overall.
On cost, Stanford charges $65,127 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 88%
- Admit rate
- 48%
- In-state
- $60,639
- Out-of-state
- $60,639
Santa Clara graduates 88% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 95.0 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 95.0, #3 of 18
- 88% graduation rate
- $60,639 tuition
- Admits just 48% of applicants
Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara is a private, nonprofit 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 84.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 4.3 points behind top-ranked UC Berkeley. The program graduates 88% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Santa Clara admits 48% of applicants, more selective than the 60% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Minerva, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 29% to 100%. The university enrolls 9,728 students overall.
On cost, Santa Clara charges $60,639 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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.
Golden Gate University
San Francisco, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $11,088
- Out-of-state
- $11,088
At $11,088 a year in-state, Golden Gate is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 91.9 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 91.9, #4 of 18
- $11,088 tuition
- 3,098 students enrolled
Based in San Francisco, CA, Golden Gate is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #4 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 91.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 84.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 7.4 points behind top-ranked UC Berkeley. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 3,098 students.
On cost, Golden Gate charges $11,088 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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 low in-state cost.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 70%
- Admit rate
- 62%
- In-state
- $59,950
- Out-of-state
- $59,950
University of San Francisco graduates 70% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on a 90.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 90.4, #5 of 18
- 70% graduation rate
- $59,950 tuition
- Admits just 62% of applicants
University of San Francisco is a private, nonprofit institution in San Francisco, CA. Its Business program ranks #5 of the 18 analyzed here with a 90.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 84.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 70% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. University of San Francisco admits 62% of applicants, less selective than the 60% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Minerva, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 29% to 100%. The university enrolls 8,913 students overall.
On cost, University of San Francisco charges $59,950 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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.
Minerva University
San Francisco, CA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- 3%
- In-state
- $21,630
- Out-of-state
- $21,630
Minerva ranks #6 of the 18 business programs in this analysis, with an 89.0 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 89.0, #6 of 18
- $21,630 tuition
- Most selective program here
Based in San Francisco, CA, Minerva is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #6 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 89.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 84.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. Minerva admits 3% of applicants, more selective than the 60% average for the group. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 669 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Minerva charges $21,630 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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.
Northeastern University Oakland
Oakland, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- 17%
- In-state
- $64,990
- Out-of-state
- $64,990
Northeastern University Oakland ranks #7 of the 18 business programs in this analysis, with an 88.8 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 88.8, #7 of 18
- $64,990 tuition
- Admits just 17% of applicants
Northeastern University Oakland is a private, nonprofit institution in Oakland, CA. Its Business program ranks #7 of the 18 analyzed here with an 88.8 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 84.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. Northeastern University Oakland admits 17% of applicants, more selective than the 60% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Minerva, the most selective program on this list. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 640 students.
On cost, Northeastern University Oakland charges $64,990 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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 genuine selectivity.
Lincoln University
Oakland, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 100%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $12,600
- Out-of-state
- $12,600
Lincoln graduates 100% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on an 87.3 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 87.3, #8 of 18
- 100% graduation rate
- $12,600 tuition
- Top graduation rate on this list
Lincoln is a private, nonprofit institution in Oakland, CA. Its Business program ranks #8 of the 18 analyzed here with an 87.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 84.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 100% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 29% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 436 students.
On cost, Lincoln charges $12,600 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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.
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 78%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- In-state
- $51,316
- Out-of-state
- $51,316
Dominican University of California graduates 78% of its students, above the 69% average across this ranking, on an 84.1 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 84.1, #9 of 18
- 78% graduation rate
- $51,316 tuition
- Admits just 83% of applicants
Dominican University of California is a private, nonprofit institution in San Rafael, CA. Its Business program ranks #9 of the 18 analyzed here with an 84.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 84.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 78% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Dominican University of California admits 83% of applicants, less selective than the 60% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Minerva, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 29% to 100%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,900 students.
On cost, Dominican University of California charges $51,316 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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.
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA · Public
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 85%
- In-state
- $6,084
- Out-of-state
- $18,684
At $6,084 a year in-state, San Jose State is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding an 83.4 Hakia Score on a 69% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 83.4, #10 of 18
- 69% graduation rate
- $6,084 in-state vs $18,684 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State is a public institution. Its Business program lands at #10 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 83.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 84.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 69% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. San Jose State admits 85% of applicants, less selective than the 60% average for the group. That is more open than the 3% rate at Minerva, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 29% to 100%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 37,661 students.
On cost, San Jose 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 $6,084 at San Jose State to $65,127 at Stanford. 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.
What Business Schools in San Francisco Cost
Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $6,084 to $65,127 a year. San Jose State University anchors the low end at $6,084 a year, while Stanford University sits at the top at $65,127. The cheapest public option among the business schools in San Francisco is San Jose State University at $6,084; the cheapest private is Golden Gate University at $11,088.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $24,336 in tuition at San Jose State University against about $260,508 at Stanford University. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to San Francisco 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 Francisco
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in San Francisco do not all offer the same ones. Across the 120 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in San Francisco are business administration (17 schools), accounting (7 schools), human resources (7 schools), finance (6 schools), marketing (5 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. 7 of the schools analyzed in San Francisco run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in San Francisco
7 of the 18 ranked business schools in San Francisco are public and 11 are private, and that split drives most of the $59,043 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: San Jose State University 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 69%, from 29% 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 San Francisco
Being on a campus among the business schools in San Francisco 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 12 towns in the metro, among them Berkeley, Stanford, Santa Clara, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 1 of the 18 also runs a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Business Schools in San Francisco: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business school in San Francisco?
By Hakia Score, University of California-Berkeley ranks first among the 18 ranked business schools in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in San Francisco, 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 Francisco?
Tuition among the ranked San Francisco schools runs from $6,084 to $65,127 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 Francisco living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in San Francisco does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 120 accredited business programs across San Francisco and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 18 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the wider Bay Area, so some schools sit well outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in San Francisco instead of online?
Only 1 of the 18 ranked schools is confirmed online, so in San Francisco 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, San Jose State University 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 Francisco 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.