TopUniversitiesUSA

California Master's Economics Universities

Compare 10 programs at 28 universities in California — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

28 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
1
UC University of California-Irvine logo

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #4 QS World #189 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$14,251/yr
Admission rate
29%
Earnings (10yr)
$80,735
Students
30,197
2
UC University of California-Santa Barbara logo

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California · Public University · Est. 1891

US #5 QS World #200 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$16,109/yr
Admission rate
33%
Earnings (10yr)
$74,915
Students
23,113
3
UC University of California-Santa Cruz logo

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #12 QS World #380 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$17,890/yr
Admission rate
66%
Earnings (10yr)
$68,396
Students
17,940
4
UC University of California-Riverside logo

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, California · Public University · Est. 1954

US #13 QS World #400 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$14,304/yr
Admission rate
76%
Earnings (10yr)
$67,699
Students
22,593
5
US University of Southern California logo

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California · Private University · Est. 1880

US #51 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$32,740/yr
Admission rate
10%
Earnings (10yr)
$92,498
Students
20,443
6
UC University of California-Berkeley logo

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, California · Public University · Est. 1868

US #90 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$13,481/yr
Admission rate
11%
Earnings (10yr)
$92,446
Students
33,068
7
UC University of California-Los Angeles logo

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California · Public University · Est. 1919

US #95 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$12,548/yr
Admission rate
9%
Earnings (10yr)
$82,511
Students
33,475
8
UC University of California-Davis logo

University of California-Davis

Davis, California · Public University · Est. 1905

US #108 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$14,741/yr
Admission rate
42%
Earnings (10yr)
$80,838
Students
32,253
9
SD San Diego State University logo

San Diego State University

San Diego, California · Public University · Est. 1897

US #148 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$15,364/yr
Admission rate
36%
Earnings (10yr)
$64,909
Students
35,377
10
SF San Francisco State University logo

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California · Public University · Est. 1899

US #155 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$12,278/yr
Admission rate
96%
Earnings (10yr)
$68,077
Students
18,639
11
UC University of California-San Diego logo

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, California · Public University · Est. 1960

US #189 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$12,470/yr
Admission rate
27%
Earnings (10yr)
$84,943
Students
34,948
12
SU Stanford University logo

Stanford University

Stanford, California · Private University · Est. 1885

US #198 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$13,807/yr
Admission rate
4%
Earnings (10yr)
$124,080
Students
7,554
13
CS California State University-Long Beach logo

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, California · Public University · Est. 1949

US #199 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$10,440/yr
Admission rate
46%
Earnings (10yr)
$64,403
Students
35,924
14
SJ San Jose State University logo

San Jose State University

San Jose, California · Public University · Est. 1857

US #212 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$13,760/yr
Admission rate
85%
Earnings (10yr)
$78,988
Students
27,601
15
CS California State University-Los Angeles logo

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California · Public University · Est. 1947

US #257 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$3,967/yr
Admission rate
91%
Earnings (10yr)
$59,211
Students
19,562
16
CS California State University-Fullerton logo

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, California · Public University · Est. 1957

US #310 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$6,555/yr
Admission rate
91%
Earnings (10yr)
$62,951
Students
38,546
18
US University of San Francisco logo

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California · Private University · Est. 1855

US #365 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$41,431/yr
Admission rate
62%
Earnings (10yr)
$89,812
Students
5,287
19
CS California State University-Sacramento logo

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, California · Public University · Est. 1947

US #383 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$9,338/yr
Admission rate
94%
Earnings (10yr)
$64,876
Students
28,350
20
CU Chapman University logo

Chapman University

Orange, California · Private University · Est. 1861

US #436 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$46,555/yr
Admission rate
65%
Earnings (10yr)
$70,070
Students
7,478
22
CS California State University-East Bay logo

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, California · Public University · Est. 1957

US #524 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$9,320/yr
Admission rate
97%
Earnings (10yr)
$71,401
Students
9,809
23
CI California Institute of Technology logo

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California · Private University · Est. 1891

US #634 Admissions open
Net price
$16,075/yr
Admission rate
3%
Earnings (10yr)
$128,566
Students
987
24
CL California Lutheran University logo

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California · Private University · Est. 1959

US #644 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$30,109/yr
Admission rate
76%
Earnings (10yr)
$68,712
Students
2,296

What this subject pays

Graduates of Economics programmes report a median $47,260 two years after finishing, across 553 programmes that publish the figure , against median debt of $22,717.

Economics pay by degree level →

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for master's Economics universities in California?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include University of California-Irvine, University of California-Santa Barbara, University of California-Santa Cruz. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study master's Economics universities in California?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying master's Economics universities in California?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

Why study in California?

Filtering by California keeps living costs, in-state tuition eligibility and part-time work in one place — the results above are limited to institutions located there.

About master's Economics universities in California

This page lists master's Economics universities in California held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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