The Best Marketing Programs in California for 2026
The best marketing programs in California are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name. Hakia analyzed 15 business programs in California on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in marketing actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 15 ranked programs in California runs from $6,084 to $60,970 a year, a $54,886 spread for the same credential.
Santa Clara University tops the list with a 94.5 Hakia Score on an 88% graduation rate, at $60,639 a year in-state. Across all 15 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 66%, ranging from 50% to 88%. The national median pay in the field is $125,470 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at every ranked program and what actually separates them: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Marketing Bachelor's Programs in California
- Santa Clara University ranks first among California's business programs with a 94.5 Hakia Score and an 88% graduation rate.
- In-state tuition across the 15 ranked California programs spans $6,084 to $60,970 a year, a $54,886 gap for the same bachelor's in marketing.
- The 15 ranked California programs graduate 66% of students on average, from 50% to 88%.
- 1 of the 15 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate drives the lowest cost for California residents.
- 1 of the 15 offers a confirmed online option for students who cannot relocate.
- National median pay in the field is $125,470 (BLS), the benchmark every ranked California program feeds into regardless of tuition.
Hakia analyzed 15 accredited programs in California reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 15 Best Marketing Bachelor's Programs in California, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA · online option | Nonprofit | $60,639 | 88% | 48% | 94.5 |
| 2 | Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $60,970 | 79% | 45% | 92.2 |
| 3 | University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA | Nonprofit | $58,420 | 84% | 52% | 91.7 |
| 4 | University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA | Nonprofit | $59,950 | 70% | 62% | 89.3 |
| 5 | Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA | Nonprofit | $45,300 | 77% | 84% | 82.9 |
| 6 | Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaCosta Mesa, CA | Nonprofit | $40,800 | 57% | 62% | 78.3 |
| 7 | FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & MerchandisingLos Angeles, CA | For-profit | $32,400 | 65% | NR | 77.4 |
| 8 | Menlo CollegeAtherton, CA | Nonprofit | $52,700 | 54% | 68% | 76.5 |
| 9 | Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, CA | Nonprofit | $35,990 | 50% | 64% | 73.8 |
| 10 | Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoraga, CA | Nonprofit | $57,303 | 70% | 87% | 73.6 |
| 11 | California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA | Public | $6,084 | 57% | 93% | 73.2 |
| 12 | Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, CA | Nonprofit | $48,104 | 53% | 73% | 71.7 |
| 13 | California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA | Nonprofit | $39,078 | 62% | 85% | 71.1 |
| 14 | Woodbury UniversityBurbank, CA | Nonprofit | $45,562 | 60% | 82% | 70.3 |
| 15 | La Sierra UniversityRiverside, CA | Nonprofit | $36,720 | 60% | 91% | 63.3 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top Marketing Bachelor's Programs in California 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 Marketing Bachelor's Programs in California
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 88%
- Admit rate
- 48%
- In-state
- $60,639
- Out-of-state
- $60,639
Santa Clara University graduates 88% of its students, above the 66% average across this ranking, on a 94.5 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 94.5, #1 of 15
- 88% graduation rate
- $60,639 tuition
- Top graduation rate on this list
Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program lands at #1 of the 15 ranked here, earning a 94.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 78.7 group average. The program graduates 88% of its students, above the 66% average across the ranked schools. Santa Clara University admits 48% of applicants, more selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, Santa Clara University charges $60,639 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $242,556 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. 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 University graduates 79% of its students, above the 66% average across this ranking, on a 92.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 92.2, #2 of 15
- 79% graduation rate
- $60,970 tuition
- Most selective program here
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program lands at #2 of the 15 ranked here, earning a 92.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 78.7 group average, in the top third of the 15 ranked programs, 2.3 points behind top-ranked Santa Clara University. The program graduates 79% of its students, above the 66% average across the ranked schools. Loyola Marymount University admits 45% of applicants, more selective than the 71% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%. The university enrolls 10,179 students overall.
On cost, Loyola Marymount University charges $60,970 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $243,880 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 2x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
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 66% average across this ranking, on a 91.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 91.7, #3 of 15
- 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 Bachelor's in Marketing program ranks #3 of the 15 analyzed here with a 91.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.7 group average, in the top third of the 15 ranked programs, 2.8 points behind top-ranked Santa Clara University. The program graduates 84% of its students, above the 66% average across the ranked schools. University of San Diego admits 52% of applicants, more selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, University of San Diego charges $58,420 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $233,680 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
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 66% average across this ranking, on an 89.3 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 89.3, #4 of 15
- 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 Bachelor's in Marketing program ranks #4 of the 15 analyzed here with an 89.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.7 group average, in the top third of the 15 ranked programs, 5.2 points behind top-ranked Santa Clara University. The program graduates 70% of its students, above the 66% average across the ranked schools. University of San Francisco admits 62% of applicants, more selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, University of San Francisco charges $59,950 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $239,800 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. 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 University graduates 77% of its students, above the 66% average across this ranking, on an 82.9 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 82.9, #5 of 15
- 77% graduation rate
- $45,300 tuition
- Admits just 84% of applicants
Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, nonprofit institution in San Diego, CA. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program ranks #5 of the 15 analyzed here with an 82.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.7 group average, in the top third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 77% of its students, above the 66% average across the ranked schools. Point Loma Nazarene University admits 84% of applicants, less selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, Point Loma Nazarene University charges $45,300 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $181,200 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 57%
- Admit rate
- 62%
- In-state
- $40,800
- Out-of-state
- $40,800
At $40,800 a year in-state, Vanguard University of Southern California is among the more affordable bachelor's in marketing programs ranked here, holding a 78.3 Hakia Score on a 57% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 78.3, #6 of 15
- 57% graduation rate
- $40,800 tuition
- Admits just 62% of applicants
Vanguard University of Southern California is a private, nonprofit institution in Costa Mesa, CA. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program ranks #6 of the 15 analyzed here with a 78.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the middle third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 57% of its students, below the 66% average across the ranked schools. Vanguard University of Southern California admits 62% of applicants, more selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list.
On cost, Vanguard University of Southern California charges $40,800 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $163,200 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Los Angeles, CA · For-profit
- Grad rate
- 65%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $32,400
- Out-of-state
- $32,400
At $32,400 a year in-state, FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is among the more affordable bachelor's in marketing programs ranked here, holding a 77.4 Hakia Score on a 65% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 77.4, #7 of 15
- 65% graduation rate
- $32,400 tuition
- Smallest campus in this ranking
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit institution in Los Angeles, CA. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program ranks #7 of the 15 analyzed here with a 77.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the middle third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 65% of its students, below the 66% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 564 students.
On cost, FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising charges $32,400 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $129,600 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Menlo College
Atherton, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 54%
- Admit rate
- 68%
- In-state
- $52,700
- Out-of-state
- $52,700
Menlo College ranks #8 of the 15 bachelor's in marketing programs in this analysis, with a 76.5 Hakia Score and a 54% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 76.5, #8 of 15
- 54% graduation rate
- $52,700 tuition
- Admits just 68% of applicants
Based in Atherton, CA, Menlo College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program lands at #8 of the 15 ranked here, earning a 76.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the middle third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 54% of its students, below the 66% average across the ranked schools. Menlo College admits 68% of applicants, more selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, Menlo College charges $52,700 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $210,800 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its genuine selectivity.
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 50%
- Admit rate
- 64%
- In-state
- $35,990
- Out-of-state
- $35,990
At $35,990 a year in-state, Fresno Pacific University is among the more affordable bachelor's in marketing programs ranked here, holding a 73.8 Hakia Score on a 50% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 73.8, #9 of 15
- 50% graduation rate
- $35,990 tuition
- Admits just 64% of applicants
Based in Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program lands at #9 of the 15 ranked here, earning a 73.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the middle third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 50% of its students, below the 66% average across the ranked schools. Fresno Pacific University admits 64% of applicants, more selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, Fresno Pacific University charges $35,990 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $143,960 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 70%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- In-state
- $57,303
- Out-of-state
- $57,303
Saint Mary's College of California graduates 70% of its students, above the 66% average across this ranking, on a 73.6 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 73.6, #10 of 15
- 70% graduation rate
- $57,303 tuition
- Admits just 87% of applicants
Based in Moraga, CA, Saint Mary's College of California is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program lands at #10 of the 15 ranked here, earning a 73.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the middle third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 70% of its students, above the 66% average across the ranked schools. Saint Mary's College of California admits 87% of applicants, less selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, Saint Mary's College of California charges $57,303 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $229,212 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
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, California State University-Northridge is among the more affordable bachelor's in marketing programs ranked here, holding a 73.2 Hakia Score on a 57% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 73.2, #11 of 15
- 57% graduation rate
- $6,084 in-state vs $18,684 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Based in Northridge, CA, California State University-Northridge is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program lands at #11 of the 15 ranked here, earning a 73.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the lower third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 57% of its students, below the 66% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Northridge admits 93% of applicants, less selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, California State University-Northridge charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $24,336 in tuition for residents, against $74,736 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. 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 University ranks #12 of the 15 bachelor's in marketing programs in this analysis, with a 71.7 Hakia Score and a 53% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 71.7, #12 of 15
- 53% graduation rate
- $48,104 tuition
- Admits just 73% of applicants
Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, nonprofit institution in Los Angeles, CA. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program ranks #12 of the 15 analyzed here with a 71.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the lower third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 53% of its students, below the 66% average across the ranked schools. Mount Saint Mary's University admits 73% of applicants, less selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, Mount Saint Mary's University charges $48,104 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $192,416 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. It earns its place in the top 15 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 62%
- Admit rate
- 85%
- In-state
- $39,078
- Out-of-state
- $39,078
At $39,078 a year in-state, California Baptist University is among the more affordable bachelor's in marketing programs ranked here, holding a 71.1 Hakia Score on a 62% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 71.1, #13 of 15
- 62% graduation rate
- $39,078 tuition
- Admits just 85% of applicants
California Baptist University is a private, nonprofit institution in Riverside, CA. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program ranks #13 of the 15 analyzed here with a 71.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the lower third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 62% of its students, below the 66% average across the ranked schools. California Baptist University admits 85% of applicants, less selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, California Baptist University charges $39,078 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $156,312 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Woodbury University
Burbank, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 60%
- Admit rate
- 82%
- In-state
- $45,562
- Out-of-state
- $45,562
Woodbury University ranks #14 of the 15 bachelor's in marketing programs in this analysis, with a 70.3 Hakia Score and a 60% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 70.3, #14 of 15
- 60% graduation rate
- $45,562 tuition
- Admits just 82% of applicants
Woodbury University is a private, nonprofit institution in Burbank, CA. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program ranks #14 of the 15 analyzed here with a 70.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the lower third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 60% of its students, below the 66% average across the ranked schools. Woodbury University admits 82% of applicants, less selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, Woodbury University charges $45,562 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $182,248 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. It earns its place in the top 15 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 60%
- Admit rate
- 91%
- In-state
- $36,720
- Out-of-state
- $36,720
At $36,720 a year in-state, La Sierra University is among the more affordable bachelor's in marketing programs ranked here, holding a 63.3 Hakia Score on a 60% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 63.3, #15 of 15
- 60% graduation rate
- $36,720 tuition
- Admits just 91% of applicants
La Sierra University is a private, nonprofit institution in Riverside, CA. Its Bachelor's in Marketing program ranks #15 of the 15 analyzed here with a 63.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 78.7 group average, in the lower third of the 15 ranked programs. The program graduates 60% of its students, below the 66% average across the ranked schools. La Sierra University admits 91% of applicants, less selective than the 71% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at Loyola Marymount University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 50% to 88%.
On cost, La Sierra University charges $36,720 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $146,880 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,084 at California State University-Northridge to $60,970 at Loyola Marymount University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $125,470 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
What a Bachelor's in Marketing Costs in California
In-state tuition among the 15 ranked marketing programs in California runs from $6,084 to $60,970 a year. California State University-Northridge anchors the low end at $6,084, while Loyola Marymount University sits at the top at $60,970. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $24,336 in tuition at the low end against roughly $243,880 at the high end for the same bachelor's in marketing. Against the national median of $125,470 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
A higher price does not automatically buy a stronger degree. Weigh each school's graduation rate and net price, not just its sticker tuition, and use its net price calculator for your own situation before comparing.
Accreditation and Value: What to Check First
Every school ranked here is accredited and reports to the federal IPEDS system, so the Hakia Score never rewards an unaccredited program for being cheap or convenient. Accreditation is what makes a marketing degree count with employers, licensing boards, and other schools, so confirm it on the program's own page before enrolling, not after.
Low tuition only pays off when the degree finishes and counts. That is why this ranking weighs completion alongside cost: a cheap program that graduates a fraction of its students is not a bargain. Where a field carries programmatic accreditation on top of institutional accreditation, look for it too.
Online Marketing Options in California
1 of the 15 ranked California programs offers a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online marketing degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
What changes online is flexibility, not the credential. Before committing, confirm whether courses are self-paced, whether any on-campus intensives are required, and whether the online section charges the in-state rate to every student, which can erase the residency discount that makes a nearby public so cheap.
Marketing Careers and Pay After a California Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $125,470 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $6,084 or $60,970 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and state-level wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS. Graduates of any ranked California program compete in that same national pay structure.
Marketing Bachelor's Programs in California: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best marketing bachelor's degree in California?
By Hakia Score, Santa Clara University ranks first among the 15 marketing programs in California we analyzed, with a 94.5 score and an 88% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does a marketing bachelor's degree cost in California?
In-state tuition among the ranked California programs runs from $6,084 to $60,970 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online marketing bachelor's degree respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $125,470 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an California-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.
How the Marketing Bachelor's Programs in California 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.