2026 Best Value Management Science Schools in California

1

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

For return on investment in management science, no school beat California State University East Bay this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Management Science graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for management science. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #3 place for management science. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $17,226. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Students looking for strong value in management science will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #4. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,973. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

5

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

Students looking for strong value in management science will find it at University Of California Merced, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $18,318. Management Science graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $73,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #7 for value in management science this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

8

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #8 position for value in management science this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Management Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $48,546. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in management science this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $169,099. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

10

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #10 position for value in management science this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $11,128 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $66,099. That is a strong return on a $11,128 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.

11

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #11 for value in management science this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $202,958. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #12 spot for management science value this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $12,144. Management Science graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $98,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

13

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #13 spot for management science value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $16,417. Early-career management science graduates make about $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

14

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #14 position for value in management science this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $96,886 early in their careers. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.

15

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands landed the #15 spot for management science value this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,878. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $57,218. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

16

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #16 for value in management science this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $134,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.

17

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco earned the #17 position for value in management science this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Management Science graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $138,031. Set against $23,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

18

California College Of The Arts
San Francisco, CA

California College Of The Arts landed the #18 spot for management science value this year. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,226. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $27,594. Early-career management science graduates make about $52,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

19

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University earned the #19 position for value in management science this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $23,645. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

20

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University placed #20 among the best values for management science. 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 management science graduates is $22,248. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. That is a strong return on a $22,248 median debt. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.

21

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University earned the #21 position for value in management science this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,984. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

22

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University landed the #22 spot for management science value this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $20,144. Management Science graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $114,501 early in their careers. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.