Best Online Business Administration Programs in Ridgecrest, CA (2026)
Ridgecrest, California has a population of about 28,138. The city’s median household income is $88,107 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Ridgecrest, with tuition ranging from $1,409 to $12,522 per year. In the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $142,890 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Ridgecrest
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Ridgecrest city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro Coso Community College | Ridgecrest, CA | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Barstow Community College | Barstow, CA | 63.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Antelope Valley Community College District | Lancaster, CA | 72.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bakersfield College | Bakersfield, CA | 75.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Porterville College | Porterville, CA | 81.1 mi | $1,409 - $12,522 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest is part of the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area (BLS area code 12540). 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 | $102,510 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $101,596 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $98,920 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $98,038 |
| Financial Manager | $142,890 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $141,615 |
| Human Resources Manager | $131,490 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $130,317 |
| Management Analyst | $98,780 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $97,899 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,970 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $100,069 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $80,130 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,415 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $53,500 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $53,023 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $67,060 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $66,462 |
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.
Ridgecrest at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,138 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $88,107 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Kern County | 6,631 workers, 723 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Ridgecrest-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Barstow, CA – 63.3 mi away (30,503 pop)
- Lancaster, CA – 71.0 mi away (348,760 pop)
- Arvin, CA – 72.4 mi away (21,380 pop)
- Adelanto, CA – 73.2 mi away (33,391 pop)
- Palmdale, CA – 75.9 mi away (157,356 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Ridgecrest, CA?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Ridgecrest. The closest is Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest, CA (3.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Porterville College (81.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Ridgecrest?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Ridgecrest are: Financial Manager ($142,890), Human Resources Manager ($131,490), General and Operations Manager ($102,510). 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 Barstow instead of Ridgecrest?
Barstow, CA is 63.3 miles from Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest an affordable place to study business administration?
Ridgecrest’s median household income of $88,107 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ridgecrest 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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