2026 Best Value Entrepreneurial Studies Schools in California
[Entrepreneurial Studies](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/entrepreneurial-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find the best return on investment for entrepreneurial studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Entrepreneurial Studies Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in entrepreneurial studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Entrepreneurial Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of The Canyons the best value for a degree in entrepreneurial studies in California. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the entrepreneurial studies program here. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurial studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Irvine Valley College earned it the #2 place for entrepreneurial studies. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the entrepreneurial studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for entrepreneurial studies. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the entrepreneurial studies program here. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in entrepreneurial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #5 place for entrepreneurial studies. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Shasta College earned the #6 position for value in entrepreneurial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for entrepreneurial studies graduates is $12,275. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Santa Ana College placed #7 among the best values for entrepreneurial studies. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurial studies degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College earned the #8 position for value in entrepreneurial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #9 spot for entrepreneurial studies value this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the entrepreneurial studies program here. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurial studies degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value entrepreneurial studies schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Los Medanos College came in at #11 for value in entrepreneurial studies this year. Los Medanos College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pittsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates of Los Medanos College earn a median of $32,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Miracosta College placed #12 among the best values for entrepreneurial studies. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
East Los Angeles College earned the #13 position for value in entrepreneurial studies this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurial studies degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Valley College earned the #14 position for value in entrepreneurial studies this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $81,600. That is a strong return on a $10,254 median debt.
University Of California Irvine landed the #15 spot for entrepreneurial studies value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the entrepreneurial studies program here. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Palo Verde College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value entrepreneurial studies schools. Located in the rural area of Blythe, Palo Verde College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,389.
Los Angeles Pierce College earned the #17 position for value in entrepreneurial studies this year. Located in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $12,477 to complete the entrepreneurial studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose City College earned the #18 position for value in entrepreneurial studies this year. San Jose City College is a large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,366, with out-of-state students paying around $11,922. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $23,253.
Ashford University placed #19 among the best values for entrepreneurial studies. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Typical student debt for entrepreneurial studies graduates is $46,438. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurial studies degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $40,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern California placed #20 among the best values for entrepreneurial studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the entrepreneurial studies program here. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $66,292 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
The Masters College And Seminary came in at #21 for value in entrepreneurial studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,020. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $22,089 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $41,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Francisco landed the #22 spot for entrepreneurial studies value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for entrepreneurial studies graduates is $22,812. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $53,276. That is a strong return on a $22,812 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Loyola Marymount University placed #23 among the best values for entrepreneurial studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Typical student debt for entrepreneurial studies graduates is $20,500. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $52,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
More Entrepreneurial Studies Rankings
View All Entrepreneurial Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
