MBA in International Business in California

For a lot of business professionals, the routine of a well-paying 9 to 5 is the dream. Commute to work. Put in the hours. Commute home. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. But for others, a routine like that isn’t quite as comforting. It’s mind-numbingly dull.

In 2024, the foreign sector (which includes firms from over two dozen countries) employed more than 800,000 people in the Golden State. Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and others use their California headquarters as home bases for all American operations. If there’s a new factory to set up or a consumer market to explore in Central or South America, you can bet their California-based team will be on the first flight there.

But of course, US-based Fortune 500s like Apple, Chevron, Wells Fargo, and Alphabet, Inc. are all headquartered in California, too. And just like their foreign-born counterparts, they send out their California-based personnel to open new outposts, oversee mergers, and wheel and deal with potential partners.

However, a globe-trotting attitude isn’t enough to take on a coveted position at one of these far-reaching firms. Whether you’re in personnel management, marketing, finance, or anything else, an MBA in International Business will put out under the lights on the international stage.

The Benefits of Doing an MBA in International Business in California

No matter where you are in your career, you want to be sure that the California-based MBA program you’re looking at is worth your time, money, and effort. While everyone’s pros and cons lists will look a little different, California’s MBA in International Business programs have a lot to offer — more to offer, in fact, than what you would find in virtually any other corner of the country.

The In-depth Curriculum and Variety of Choices

When weighing your options, the first thing to consider is curriculum. The vast majority of International Business MBA programs offer a pretty comprehensive bird’s eye view of international business skills. Subjects you’ll likely study in an International Business MBA program include global supply chain management, international trade laws, digital marketing, and macroeconomics.

However, not every program follows this exact formula. If you want something a little more narrowly-focused, you’ll find plenty of options in California.

For example, if you’re wanting to make waves in the logistics sector, California State University, San Bernardino offers an MBA in Global Supply Chain Management. If you’re passionate about sustainability and ethics, Woodbury University in Los Angeles has a Global Strategy-Leadership MBA program that would be a perfect fit. Or if you don’t find a program that fits your aspirations to a T, look for international business programs at schools that offer electives and graduate certificates that let you customize your experience.

Hands-on Learning and Networking Opportunities

One of the most challenging things about working in the international sphere is that no two markets are alike. No matter what position you hold, you’re going to have to adapt to new cultural, political, legal, and logistical challenges constantly. Classroom learning alone isn’t always enough to prepare for that.

However, California is a crossroads for the global economy. The state’s business schools take full advantage of that fact by offering some truly formative hands-on learning experiences.

UC Berkeley’s international business students, for instance, have the chance to participate in exchange programs with schools in London, Barcelona, and Hong Kong. Over at UCLA, over 300 students take part in international immersion programs every year. Since 2008, they’ve hosted programs in 34 countries.

But if traveling isn’t in the cards at the moment, you won’t be left out. Many of the same programs that offer international courses also have connections with international trade partnerships, economic forums, and other key players in the world economy — many of which have offices and headquarters in California. And because of California’s numerous ports, even more locally-based organizations like the California Chamber of Commerce are active on a global scale.

Salary Potential and Career Opportunities After Earning an MBA in International Business

Perhaps the biggest benefit of earning an MBA in International Business is that your job opportunities are pretty diverse. Depending on your experience and if you take any specialty classes, you might be a regional director, mediator, C-suite executive, or a director of something more specific like supply chain management, finance, marketing, or trade law compliance.

That being said, your salary potential as an MBA grad will be largely determined by which vertical and industry you go into. Fortunately, when it comes to salaries for corporate leadership positions, California typically ranks pretty high. And keep in mind that you may get other perks like stock options, equity, and commissions, too.

In the following table, you’ll find average salaries for positions international business professionals often hold along with data about what the top 10% of earners make. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t track salaries greater than $239,200, so where shown, this represents a figure lower than what is actually earned.

Position	Average Salary in California	Top 10% of Earners in California
Buyers and Purchasing Agents	$84,510	$129,480
Chief Executives	$281,030	$239,200
Compliance Officers	$92,840	$137,990
Financial Managers	$196,670	$239,200
General and Operations Managers	$155,170	$239,200
Marketing Managers	$192,730	$239,200
Project Management Specialists	$117,410	$172,220
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	$119,250	$195,780

Table data taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2023 California Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.

MBA in International Business Online and at Campus Locations in California

An MBA in International Business can take you to a lot of different places.

Whether you’re a working student who wants to enroll in an online MBA in International Business program or an experienced professional looking for an Executive MBA program, you’ll find exactly what you need in California.

This list represents all MBA in International Business programs available in California.