California’s Most Affordable Private Associate Degrees in Business

Naturally, it’s private universities that are top-most among highly respected names in business education in California. Every student that invests a couple years of their life at these schools to earn a degree gets to carry a little piece of that generations-old reputation with them for a lifetime. It’s a significant accomplishment, and one that can pay dividends.

It’s also a significant investment, even at the associate level.

There are relatively few private colleges offering associate degrees in business in California today—only eighteen, and the total average cost to earn one rings in at $32,532. That’s considerably more than what you’d pay at a community college in the state, but these aren’t your standard two-year degrees.

While they cost more, private colleges have a reputation for delivering more, too.

These are schools that often offer a laddered approach to building your credentials over time, with clear, achievable steps toward a bachelor’s in business and even the hallowed Master of Business Administration. For the unique high school grad who has a clear vision of the path they’ll be taking to a career in business and the drive and discipline to work toward the big goal, these institutions offer the measured steps to get there.

This approach eliminates any uncertainty over curriculum requirements and credit transferability, and come with the assurance that you’re on precisely the right educational track from the very start.

This doesn’t mean there still aren’t very good reasons to get the most for your money. A judicious use of resources is fundamental in life itself, as it is in business. And that’s exactly why we’ve nailed down this list of the most affordable options in California.

Diving Into the Details That Drive the Real Value Proposition in an Associate Degree in Business

To a great extent, the value, quality, and academic rigor of these private college associate business programs is a given. These are many of the same schools offering nationally-recognized MBAs that headhunters recruit from. Some have gone through the additional vetting required for specialty business accreditation.

Even so, when you are going through the trouble of picking out a private school for an associate degree in business, you more than likely have a well thought-out list of your own expectations and requirements that go beyond just “the cheapest education available.”

You’re looking for value, not cut-rate. And you need far more information than just the bottom line on cost to determine which of these programs is going to deliver.

So we’re giving you more than a list of names and links. You’ll find useful information for every program that includes:

The actual total estimated program cost and the amount by which it comes in below the state average
The program formats available, whether online, on campus, or a hybrid combination of both
Specific focus or concentration options in particular areas of business
A list of other, related degrees offered at the same school
Any specialty business accreditation that the school may hold

We also go beyond those basics by giving you a quick sketch of highlights that represent the unique features each school delivers specifically for business students. If the class sizes are small and the program has a high instructor to student ratio, that’s worth a mention. If top national ratings organizations routinely place the business programs high on their lists, we’ll tell you about it. If there is a special connection to California’s big industry players that can help with networking and smoothing your path to a certain kind of business career, you’ll find it here.

And because each school has its own character, you’ll get a little bit of that in our descriptions, too. Every experience is unique, and each school has its own strengths and its own reputation. You’ll get an idea of what that looks like right here.

Altogether, it’s a perfect starting point for someone seeking excellence in business education in California at an affordable price. Your journey to executive success could start at any of these schools.

A Very Simple Formula for Identifying California’s Most Affordable Private School Associate Degrees in Business

Numbers are numbers, and even when they have a few more zeros on the end than you are used to, part of the lesson of any business degree is to show you how they can be compared, broken down, and used to inform decisions. In this case, doing that was a pretty straightforward process.

Schools don’t always post tuition data in the exact same way. As you go from school to school, you’ll find yearly rates, semester rates, and even some schools that still operate on a quarter system. Not all programs have the exact same number of credits. Some show the bottom line price, but many don’t.

That means the only trick here was to arrive at a common unit of measurement for a like-to-like comparison. That unit is cost-per-semester-credit.

So for schools that operate on the quarter system, this required the standard conversion that’s typically used when students transfer-in credits eared on the quarter system to a school that operates on the more common semester system: 1.5 quarter credits = 1 semester credit.

With the semester credit cost known, it’s just the simple math of multiplying the total number of credits to arrive at the total cost.

And with the total overall average of $32,532 known, we simply identify the programs that come in at no more than $1,000 above that.

California’s Most Affordable Private Business School Associate Degree Programs

Golden Gate University

School of Undergraduate Studies
San Francisco, CA
Website

AA in General Studies with a Business area of interest (online, hybrid)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $11,940
Total tuition comes in at $19,574 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Also offers: BS in Business, BA in Management, Undergraduate Certificate in (Building and Sustaining Relationships for Organizational Success, HR Management, International Business, Leading and Managing through Change and Disruption, Management, Operations and Supply Chain Management)

Golden Gate University plays host to an AA in General Studies with a Business area of interest, a flexible and affordable course of study that delivers an outstanding academic foundation for a variety of business-related professions. Available in a fully online format or a hybrid format that combines both online and on-campus study, this program boasts exceptional convenience and flexibility for today’s busy, working students. Whether you want a foundation for future bachelor’s study or a program that prepares you for immediate employment, Golden Gate’s AA in General Studies with a Business area of emphasis is exactly what you’re looking for.

University of Massachusetts Global

School of Business and Professional Studies
Viejo, CA
Website

AA in General Business (online)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $13,200
Total tuition comes in at $18,314 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Also offers: BA in Organizational Leadership, BBA with concentrations in (General Business, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, GIS and Data Analytics, Healthcare Administration, Human Resources, Information System Management, Management and Organizational Leadership, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Supply Chain Management and Logistics, Supply Chain Systems), BS in Cybersecurity, BS in Cybersecurity-Project Management, BS in IT with concentrations in (Generalist, Data Science, Project Management, Self-Design)

The University of Massachusetts Global is home to the exciting, career-focused AA in General Business, a fully online program that’s been designed by leading industry experts to ensure a contemporary, relevant course of study exploring the evolving world of business. We love the program’s online design, which is fully self-paced, allowing students to study whenever and wherever it’s most convenient. With continuous starts, you won’t need to wait to begin earning a degree that will change your life.

Campus (formerly MTI College)

Sacramento, CA
Website

AA in Business Administration (optional Applied AI concentration) (online)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $14,396
Total tuition comes in at $17,118 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Home to an esteemed, world-class faculty, many of whom also teach at some of the nation’s top universities
Live, online classes offer an engaging, collaborative, and interactive course of study
Superb student support – all students are assigned a personal success coach to help them reach their academic and professional goals

Campus has their finger on the pulse of modern business. The AA in Business Administration features a convenient and flexible online design, with classes delivered live just twice a week. Designed to prepare students to work in virtually any industry through courses in management, accounting, data analytics, and entrepreneurship, this program features the coursework that produces competent, ethical business managers and leaders. The program’s optional Applied AI concentration packs a solid punch by introducing students to this emerging technology and its ability to streamline processes. Choose Campus and you’ll learn from a world-class faculty, many of whom also teach at some of the nation’s top universities!

Asher College

Sacramento, CA
Website

AAS in Business Administration (on-campus, hybrid)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $23,298
Total tuition comes in at $8,216 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Also offers: Office Accounting Certificate, Associate’s Degree in Office Accounting

The Asher College AAS in Business Administration delivers an affordable course of study that’s priced more than $9,000 below the state average among similar programs! Offering a comprehensive examination of the fundamentals of business in a student-centered environment that only a private school can offer, this program boasts a flexible curriculum (day, evening, and weekend courses available), dedicated instructors, and an engaging class environment, complete with guest speakers. Students may also complete this program in a hybrid model that features live video events, webinars, one-on-one virtual meetings, and discussion boards for a truly engaging course of study.

Agape College of Business and Science

Fresno, CA
Website

AS in Business Administration (on-campus, online, hybrid)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $23,640
Total tuition comes in at $7,874 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Also offers: BS in Business Administration with specializations in (Accounting, Entrepreneurship, HR Management), BS in Health Care Administration, AS in Medical Administration, Business Administration Certificate

The AS in Business Administration through Agape College of Business and Science is an 18-month course of study that is designed to equip students with the skills that allow them to serve as business managers and leaders who excel in today’s hyper-competitive business world. Just some of the topics explored in this program include workplace ethics and foundations, career readiness, management theory and practice, and Microsoft Office Suite. Offered in your choice of an on-campus, online, or hybrid format, this program is designed with today’s busy, working students in mind.

Learnet Academy Inc

Real Estate and Finance Department
Los Angeles, CA
Website

Academic Associate’s in Business Administration - Real Estate (on-campus, online)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $24,000
Total tuition comes in at $7,514 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Also offers: BBA, AA in Computer Business Applications, Certificate of Completion in Real Estate and Finance/Salesperson

Learnet Academy Inc. is home to an Academic Associate’s in Business Administration with a Real Estate concentration. This affordably priced program, which is priced more than $8,000 below the state average for similar programs, is offered in an on-campus and online format for maximum flexibility and convenience. Students of this program explore theory and practice in management, operations, information systems, accounting, economics, taxation, business law, and more as they gain skills in the fundamentals of business management.

California Miramar University

School of Business
San Jose, CA
Website

AS in Business Administration (Business Administration, IT, Sports Management) (on-campus)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $24,360
Total tuition comes in at $7,154 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Also offers: BBA, BBA-AI

California Miramar University is home to the exciting AS in Business Administration, an affordable and flexible program of study that allows students to customize their associate degree through a concentration in business administration, information technology, or sports management. This career-driven, on-campus program, which can be completed at the school’s San Diego, La Puente, or San Jose campus, offers students a flexible course of study that serves as an outstanding foundation for future study at the bachelor’s level or for immediate entry into the workforce. Learn why the San Diego Business Journal named California Miramar University among the top 20 colleges and universities in San Diego County!

Abraham Lincoln University

School of Business Administration
Glendale, CA
Website

AS in Business Administration (online)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $24,900
Total tuition comes in at $6,614 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Also offers: Undergrad Certificates (Accounting, Marketing, Management, Business Administration), BS in Business Administration, BS in Professional Studies

The AS in Business Administration at Abraham Lincoln University is affordable and convenient, with a total cost that comes in at more than $6,600 below the state average and an online design that makes earning your business degree easier than ever! Ideally designed to prepare students to assume entry-level positions in nearly any industry or organization, this program offers a comprehensive foundation to prepare students for success in the business world. You’ll love the online format here that allows students to view and review lectures according to their own schedules. The program’s online modules are highly engaging, and the expert instructors are on call to offer the support students need to succeed.

National University

School of Business and Economics
San Diego, CA
Website

AS in Business (on-campus, online)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $26,580
Total tuition comes in at $4,934 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Also offers: BA in Integrated Marketing Communications, BA in Management, BBA, BS in Accounting, BS in HR Management, BS in Construction Management, BS in Financial Management, BS in Healthcare Administration, BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, BS in Marketing, BS in Organizational Leadership, BS in Project Management, BS in Public Health, Minor in Accounting, Minor in Business Accounting, Minor in Business Law, Minor in Business Studies, Minor in Marketing, Certificate in Construction Management Professional, Google Project Management Professional Certificate, Professional Certificate in Self-Leadership

The AS in Business through National University offers the affordability you’ve been searching for and the flexibility your busy schedule requires! This comprehensive course of study, which is designed to prepare you for entry-level management positions in a variety of fields, as well as for future bachelor’s study, boasts a well-rounded curriculum with courses in general business, accounting, economics, legal studies, management, and marketing. We love National University’s career-focused approach to learning, which includes convenient and accelerated course formats, flexible online options, and monthly start dates.

InterCoast Colleges

Riverside, CA
Website

AAS in Business Administration (online)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $28,800
Total tuition comes in at $2,714 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.

Also offers: Certificate in Business Office Administration

The AAS in Business Administration through InterCoast College is both affordable and convenient, offering busy, working students with everything they need for success in today’s business world! This comprehensive course of study features a well-rounded examination of business and topics like accounting, economics, finance, HR management, and marketing. This fully online program will arm you not only with technical skills and knowledge, but also the professional demeanor and acumen you’ll need to serve as a competent and ethical business manager and leader.

DeVry University-California

College of Business and Management
Long Beach, CA
Website

AAS in Business (on-campus, online, hybrid)

(Budgeting and Forecasting, General Business, Healthcare Business, HR, Project Management, Retail Management, Sales and Customer Development)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $31,354

Also offers: Major in Business Administration, Major in Business with specializations in (Accounting, Business Intelligence and Analytics Management, Criminal Justice, Finance, Global Supply Chain Management, Health Information Management, Hospitality Management, HR Management, Information Technology-Networking Fundamentals, Project Management, Sales and Marketing, Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship), Major in Business Administration-Project Management, Major in Management-Health Services Management, Major in Management-HR Management, Major in Technical Management-Health Information Management, Undergraduate Certificate in Business Essentials

The AAS in Business at DeVry University – California doesn’t disappoint. With a flexible curriculum (your choice of on-campus, online, or hybrid study), an attractive price tag, and a customizable course of study that includes your choice of seven concentrations, the AAS in Business has everything you need to succeed! We love their dynamic, online learning environment that includes flexible learning tools, 24/7 on-demand tutoring, and a convenient, mobile app. Students can access their coursework anytime, anywhere for outstanding convenience!

Platt College

School of Business and Legal Studies
Los Angeles, CA
Website

AA in Business Management (hybrid)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $32,562

Also offers: BA in Business Management-Project Management concentration, BA in Healthcare Administration

The Platt College AA in Business Management offers an affordable private school education in a convenient and flexible hybrid format for tomorrow’s business leaders and managers! Delivered through a blend of online and on-campus courses, this program delivers a comprehensive examination of modern business professions to prepare you for a career in sales, marketing, operations, finance, accounting, human resources, and beyond. Students here can earn their associate degree in as little as 13 months!

San Joaquin Valley College

Business Programs
Bakersfield, CA
Website

AS in Business Office Administration (on-campus, online)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $33,001

Also offers: BS in Healthcare Management, BS in Construction Management, Certificate of Completion in Business Office Administration, Certificate of Completion in Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting, Certificate of Completion in HR Administration, Certificate of Completion in Medical Office Administration, AS in Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting

The San Joaquin Valley College AS in Business Office Administration is delivered in a convenient and flexible format and offered at an affordable price. This program provides students with a foundation of business knowledge and skills that ensure they’re prepared to enter the field as competent and ethical business managers and leaders. Available as both an on-campus and online program, students can earn their degree at any one of 13 on-campus locations – or from the comfort of home! Just some of the topics explored in this exciting program include Accounting Cycle Concepts, Principles of Management, Principles of Human Resources, and Principles of Marketing.

Golden Gate University

School of Undergraduate Studies
San Francisco, CA
Website

AA in General Studies with a Business area of interest (online, hybrid)

Total Estimated Program Cost: $11,940
Total tuition comes in at $19,574 below the state average for private business school associate degree programs.