Best colleges for finance in California

Colleges that offer a bachelor’s in finance, ranked by Compass Score.

Best colleges for finance in California22 schools

22 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.

How this list is made

Schools in California.
Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
Offers a bachelor’s program in finance, from the College Scorecard field-of-study data (credential level 3).
Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

1
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Top 1% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade B-
2
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Top 9% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade C+
3
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · PublicHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade A · Top 5%
4
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 7% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade C+
5
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 6% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade B
6
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
Excellent: Compass grade A-
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade A+ · Top 2%
7
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 5% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade C+
8
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 12% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade C+
9
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA · Public
Top 8% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade A+ · Top 2%
10
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 8% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade B
11
California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA · Public
Top 8% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
12
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA · Public
Top 3% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
13
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA · Public
Top 16% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
14
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public
Top 8% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
15
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA · Public
Top 16% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
16
Westcliff University
Irvine, CA · Private for-profit
Good: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in finance
17
California State University-Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA · Public
Top 15% for low net price
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
18
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 25% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade B-
19
Menlo College
Atherton, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 10% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade B
20
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 25% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade C+
21
National University
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 17% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade B · Top 41%
22
Ashford University
San Diego, CA · Private for-profit
#126 in California
- Bachelor’s program in finance
- Value grade C+

Compare cost and outcomes

School	Net price a year	Median debt	Earnings 10 years out	Graduation rate
Santa Clara University	$50,062	$19,162	$109,183	88%
Loyola Marymount University	$48,381	$19,500	$78,349	79%
San Diego State University	$15,364	$15,000	$64,909	76%
Pepperdine University	$58,098	$23,510	$82,939	83%
University of San Diego	$30,365	$22,940	$86,522	84%
California State University-Long Beach	$10,440	$14,289	$64,403	69%
University of San Francisco	$41,431	$23,000	$89,812	70%
Point Loma Nazarene University	$38,729	$22,990	$63,998	77%
San Jose State University	$13,760	$15,000	$78,988	69%
Saint Mary's College of California	$30,378	$23,691	$78,812	70%
California State University-Fresno	$7,000	$14,505	$61,244	57%
California State University-San Bernardino	$4,564	$14,715	$59,977	55%
San Francisco State University	$12,278	$15,371	$68,077	50%
California State University-Northridge	$7,021	$13,872	$59,115	57%
California State University-San Marcos	$10,229	$17,350	$62,908	55%
Westcliff University	$35,426	$23,750	—	62%
California State University-Channel Islands	$9,849	$15,000	$62,152	51%
California Baptist University	$26,285	$26,063	$61,504	62%
Menlo College	$31,100	$21,750	$76,419	54%
La Sierra University	$45,566	$27,000	$61,824	60%
National University	$22,878	$25,000	$67,548	43%
Ashford University	$31,266	$31,250	$35,404	11%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

The national list → · All top school lists →

Best colleges for finance in California

How this list is made

Santa Clara University

Loyola Marymount University

San Diego State University

Pepperdine University

University of San Diego

California State University-Long Beach

University of San Francisco

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Jose State University

Saint Mary's College of California

California State University-Fresno

California State University-San Bernardino

San Francisco State University

California State University-Northridge

California State University-San Marcos

Westcliff University

California State University-Channel Islands

California Baptist University

Menlo College

La Sierra University

National University

Ashford University

Compare cost and outcomes

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