Best Online MBA Programs in San Francisco
Updated August 29, 2023
Credit: Alexander Spatari / Moment / Getty Images
Aside from its rich history and beautiful architecture, there are several reasons to consider getting an MBA in San Francisco. With tourism on the rise and a thriving small business scene, this community supports entrepreneurs and big business owners alike. Earning an MBA opens many doors. With this versatile degree, you can start your own brick-and-mortar store, create a tech startup, or rise to the top of a corporation and work as the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
However, you don't need to move to the West Coast to earn a degree from a San Francisco college or university. Thanks to convenient online learning options, you can avoid the city's high cost of living and lengthy commute times by earning your degree online. Browse this list of the best online MBA programs from business schools in San Francisco and start planning your future today.
Career Outlook With an MBA in San Francisco
Job outlook for graduates of the best MBA programs in San Francisco looks bright. The city is a 40-minute drive from Silicon Valley, where you can explore innovative tech startups and analyze what makes these emerging businesses successful. Tech startups can eventually grow into large companies that employ hundreds of people.
San Francisco and Silicon Valley are one of California's best regions to seek employment after earning an MBA. Strolling down one of San Francisco's steep hills, you can see large corporations housed in modern buildings and small, locally owned businesses giving new life to a historic storefront. The overall unemployment rate in California is 4.1%, while San Francisco's is 2.2%.
When you choose one of the online MBA programs in San Francisco, you benefit from supportive government programs. The Mayor's Office of Community Development Loan Fund offers emerging companies loans ranging from $1,000-$250,000.
Nearly 70% of San Franciscans possess educational training beyond high school. For this reason, earning a graduate degree, like an MBA, can help set you apart from the crowd. Although San Francisco has a high cost of living, most employers also pay more, and entrepreneurs can charge more for their products.
San Francisco's top industries include professional businesses and services, trade, transportation, utilities, and hospitality. This means graduates can find jobs in hotels, restaurants, and corporations upon graduation. Some of the largest San Francisco employers include Advent Software, San Francisco Marriott Marquis, and Gourmet Gate. With so many industries and businesses to choose from, MBA graduates have a lot of options. Explore our California page to learn more about the state's online MBA programs.
| Metro Area | Percentage of Open Business Positions | Percentage of Remaining Discretionary Income After Expense | Average Unemployment Rate for Individuals 20-29 Years Old |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 1.8 | 62.7 | 9.6 |
Online MBA Programs for You
Grow your career, leadership, and business acumen with an accredited online MBA program.
MBA Salary in San Francisco
| Occupation Group | Annual Mean Wage | Examples of Job Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Management | $151,760 | Chief Executives, General Operations Managers, Sales Managers |
| Business and Financial Operations | $96,890 | Buyers/Purchasing Agents, Compliance Officers, Human Resources Specialists |
| Computer and Mathematical | $119,370 | Computer Programmers, Software Developers, Information Security Analysts |
Average Salary for MBA Graduates in San Francisco, California
MBA Employment in San Francisco
| Occupation Group | Employment | Examples of Job Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 170,970 | Chief Executives, General Operations Managers, Sales Managers |
| Business and Financial Operations | 185,490 | Buyers/Purchasing Agents, Compliance Officers, Human Resources Specialists |
| Computer and Mathematical | 138,430 | Computer Programmers, Software Developers, Information Security Analysts |
Best Online MBA Programs in San Francisco, California
-
Golden Gate University-San FranciscoLocation
San Francisco, CA
Tuition$54810
Golden Gate University - San Francisco designs programs to meet the needs of nontraditional learners. GGU offers a fully online and hybrid MBA with a full suite of concentrations. The 54-credit curriculum provides learners with advanced business knowledge and leadership skills they learn to apply using a case-study framework. The MBA core covers competencies in areas such as operations, marketing, finance, and management and leadership.
The MBA at GGU stands out among many other MBA programs in San Francisco because of the sheer number of concentrations. The options include business analytics, project management, entrepreneurship, and global supply chain management. Students may also combine two or more concentrations to diversify their specialization. During a capstone course, students practice their strategy development in multiple functional areas of the business entity.
Applicants with more than five years of relevant work experience, CPA licenses, or a minimum 3.5 GPA do not need to submit the GRE or GMAT.
Concentrations
-
Notre Dame de Namur UniversityLocation
Belmont, CA
Tuition$32256
Established in 1851, Notre Dame de Namur University provides 1,700 learners with a Catholic education leading to degrees in various disciplines. Located in Silicon Valley, NDNU offers a 36-credit online MBA that working professionals can finish in less than two years. The curriculum emphasizes the use of qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis to solve business challenges. The MBA core examines areas like organizational/management theory, management accounting, corporate financial management, and marketing planning and analysis.
The program offers concentrations in finance, marketing, and human resource management. Students may opt for a blended concentration that requires courses from more than one concentration, or they may tailor the MBA to meet their own needs. NDNU students can complete this degree, one of the best online MBA programs in San Francisco, on a part-time basis.
Admission requires a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA with some work experience preferred.
Concentrations
-
Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaLocation
Moraga, CA
Tuition$67000
Saint Mary's College of California, located in Moringa, offers two executive MBA programs: a traditional executive MBA (EMBA) and the global executive MBA (GEMBA). Students complete either program on a part-time basis with classes held in the evenings and weekends, or in a hybrid format.
The 13-course EMBA offers an 18-month curriculum that focuses on three areas: analysis and critical thinking, responsible leadership, and broad functional knowledge in areas such as operations, marketing, and finance. Students choose a concentration in entrepreneurship or business analytics. This MBA option best suits business professionals with at least five years of management experience.
The 12-month curriculum for the GEMBA utilizes presentations, case studies, and hands-on workshops to develop business professionals skilled in areas such as global management, economic analysis, and data analysis and research methods. This option from one of the best business schools in San Francisco enrolls learners with at least three years of professional experience.
The EMBA requires no GMAT; the GMAT is required for the GEMBA.
Concentrations
Online MBA Programs in Surrounding States
Recommended Reading
Search Programs by Concentration
View schools and degrees from across the country.
Find the right program to advance your career.