Top MBA Programs in Southern California

An In-depth Look at MBA Schools and Their Programs

LA Times Studios presents the 25 largest MBA programs in Southern California ranked by number of graduates in 2025. As a group, the 25 largest MBA programs in Southern California awarded more than 3,100 degrees in 2025 and have more than 12,000 students enrolled in graduate level programs.

Programs are adapting to new technologies by offering coursework and degrees focused on data. For example, University of Redlands has a new concentration launching in Fall 2026 for AI and business analytics. The California State University, San Marcos MBA program has enhanced its curriculum to emphasize business analytics, real-world consulting projects, and flexible delivery formats designed for working professionals. Meanwhile, at Peppedine University’s Graziadio Business School, there is an importance being placed on digital information.

“Across MBA education, we are seeing several notable shifts that are shaping program design and student demand. There is a growing emphasis on data literacy and technology fluency within MBA curricula, as employers increasingly expect graduates to make data-informed decisions and work comfortably alongside emerging technologies,” said Deborah Crown, dean of the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

The list includes colleges and universities that operate graduate business schools with campuses in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties. Information was provided by representatives of the programs. Several programs, including University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business declined to provide information.

In addition to these programs, we feature detailed profiles of some of the best MBA offerings in Southern California. These select colleges have a myriad of curriculums to suit anyone seeking their MBA and are ready to help students reach the next level in their education.