Which are the Best Marketing Schools in California for Undergraduates?

by Alex Morgan · February 6, 2024

Marketing is one of the leading degree and career choices for many students around the globe. Not only because it appears as a prominent option on most university websites but mainly because it has a vast net of career opportunities and potentially high-paying jobs.

So, no wonder you’re looking for the best business marketing schools in California for undergraduates. There are tons of options, like Stanford for Berkeley. But those might not have a high acceptance rate—too high for the majority of the students. So, let’s dive in and talk about some of the top marketing school options in the Golden State.

Reasons to Pick a Marketing School

Business schools from accredited marketing schools open up doors to various opportunities. With digital marketing soaring nowadays, the classic marketing and promotional techniques paired with the latest technology provide great career opportunities. So, here are some reasons why it’s a good idea to pick a marketing school in California

Develop skills and thinking for impactful marketing strategies
Prepare for roles in advertising, analytics, and brand management
Gain necessary skills for marketing goals with overall business objectives
Connect with industry professionals for valuable career prospects
Stay current with digital tools shaping modern marketing landscapes
Learn to make data-driven decisions for marketing success
And understand psychology to connect with consumers.

Then there’s also the probability of a getting into the top marketing schools for graduates in California that will progress your chances for high-paying job in an ever-evolving industry. Moreover, there are always opportunities in various categories and niches.

5 Best Marketing Schools in California for Undergraduates

There are many options for you to choose from, but the real definition of the best marketing schools in California depends on preference and requirements. A lot of major universities, as mentioned before, have high acceptance rates and very high tuition fees.

So, considering reasonable tuition fees and high acceptance rates, here’s a list of the best undergrad schools in California for marketing today:

1. California State University Northridge

California State University in Northridge is one of the schools that’s definitely in the upper echelon. The reason it’s the best school for marketing in California is its various programs. This applies to both bachelor’s and master’s programs in marketing, while the university also offers a high acceptance rate.

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Bachelor’s Degree Title: B.S. in Business Administration (Marketing)

CSUN’s BS in Business Administration (BSBA) is a versatile program for many reasons. For instance, it focuses on courses such as

Marketing Research
Consumer Behavior
Marketing Management Seminar

Then there are other courses like Sales Management and Retail Management, which provide skills enough for the bachelor’s degree holder to pursue a variety of careers in marketing.

2. Woodbury University

Woodbury University in Burbank, California is one of the top universities in the state and offers some of the best programs. While it’s a bit tough to get into, it’s not exactly impossible. The cost of degrees is also on the more reasonable side.

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Bachelor’s Degree Title: Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing

The bachelor’s degree is one of the top-tier options for marketing hopefuls in Cali. That’s on the back of courses such as:

Consumer Behavior
Strategic Marketing
Market Research Analysis
Financial Management

Not only does it have all the necessary tools to make a marketing expert, but also provides a thorough understanding of general business.

3. Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University is one of the top options in the state. It is considered one of the best marketing schools in Los Angeles for its outstanding programs and variety of coverage. While it stands a bit high in terms of acceptance rate, it’s still a great option.

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Bachelor’s Degree Title: BBA in Marketing

The marketing Bachelor of Business Administration offered here is definitely a great degree choice. Because it focuses on courses like Principles of Marketing, Marketing Analysis, Buyer Behavior, etc.

Then, it also provides a proper understanding of modern marketing with Marketing Law, Advertising and Promotion Management, as well as Brand Management. In other words, it prepares you for all the challenges of marketing.

4. University of San Diego

The University of San Diego is definitely the best institution the city has to offer. It’s not only high-tier because of the prime location, but also for its rich history and outstanding programs. It’s definitely one of the leading schools with marketing majors in California.

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Bachelor’s Degree Title: BBA in Marketing

As you can tell, the university offers both Master’s and Bachelor’s programs. But the Bachelor’s program is truly one of the most unique ones in the nation, not just in Cali. It offers great courses such as:

Consumer Behavior
Marketing Strategy
Digital Marketing

That’s why it’s the best option for modern times, and finding a high-paying job in today’s marketing firms.

5. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a great option, and perhaps the school that takes the podium besides Stanford and Berkeley in the Golden State. The marketing program here is one of the best ones, if not the best one available today.

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Bachelor’s Degree Title: BSBA in Marketing

The BS in Marketing are great, but it’s the undergraduate program that should lure students more. Simply because it offers an outstanding curriculum that offers courses like:

Marketing Fundamentals
Business Finance
Statistics and Data Science
Operations Management

Once again, this is yet another degree that offers an all-around curriculum that provides all the necessary tools to be a successful marketing manager—or be a suitable candidate for any other marketing-related job.

California Marketing Jobs, Salaries, and Job Outlook

Marketing is a vast field, and a lot of job titles or areas of study fall under this category. However, there’s a proper breakdown of each industry, as well as potential jobs and their salaries. Here’s a breakdown of the potential jobs you can get with a marketing degree:

Marketing Coordinator
Digital Marketing Specialist
Brand Ambassador
Content Marketing Specialist
Market Research Analyst

Now, there are also marketing managers and upper-management level jobs. But, staying at the low-to-mid-tier, here are the industries and potential/median salaries for marketing bachelors degree holders:

Industry	Salaries/Median Pay
Information	$146,900
Management	$133,000
Advertising	$131,000
Trade	$107,000

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Then, there’s the potential of finding a job in every industry, but California does host a fair amount of marketing experts in various industries, such as

Industry	Employment (Total)	Employment Percentage
Corporate Management	44,000+	1.67
Management (various industries)	28,000+	1.62
Management (computer, systems)	26,000+	1.06
Software	11,400+	1.86
Ads and public relations	10,000	2.23

Source: BLS OES

Note: All of these statistics, salary records, and other information are exclusive to California only.

Conclusion

There are also various other kinds of schools, such as specific fashion marketing schools in California that students could pick from. However, those niche degrees depend entirely on the student’s interests and the sort of career that they wish to pursue. Thus, it’s important to research all of the mentioned programs and pick the one that fits the description. That means considering something not only nearest but also the most affordable and easy to get into.