Best Online Business Administration Programs in Merced, CA (2026)
Merced, California has a population of about 89,766. The city’s median household income is $59,938 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Merced. In the Merced, CA metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Human Resources Manager at a median $156,430 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Merced
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Merced city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madera Community College | Madera, CA | 37.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 37.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stellar Career College | Modesto, CA | 40.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clovis Community College | Fresno, CA | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Merced
Merced is part of the Merced, CA metro area (BLS area code 32900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $98,990 | Merced, CA | $100,702 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $115,140 | Merced, CA | $117,131 |
| Financial Manager | $129,110 | Merced, CA | $131,343 |
| Human Resources Manager | $156,430 | Merced, CA | $159,135 |
| Management Analyst | $77,610 | Merced, CA | $78,952 |
| Project Management Specialist | $95,490 | Merced, CA | $97,141 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $78,670 | Merced, CA | $80,031 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $56,500 | Merced, CA | $57,477 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $63,940 | Merced, CA | $65,046 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Merced at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,766 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,938 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Merced County | 1,246 workers, 127 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Merced-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Atwater, CA – 7.4 mi away (29,270 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 25.0 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Los Banos, CA – 26.1 mi away (37,584 pop)
- Madera, CA – 32.2 mi away (82,278 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 33.3 mi away (48,278 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Merced, CA?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Merced. The closest is Merced College in Merced, CA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Clovis Community College (50.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Merced?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Merced are: Human Resources Manager ($156,430), Financial Manager ($129,110), Administrative Services Manager ($115,140). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Atwater instead of Merced?
Atwater, CA is 7.4 miles from Merced and has its own set of local business administration programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Merced an affordable place to study business administration?
Merced’s median household income of $59,938 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Merced while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Business Administration Programs in California
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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