Best Online Business Administration Programs in San Rafael, CA (2026)
San Rafael, California has a population of about 60,604. The city’s median household income is $109,317 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of San Rafael, with tuition ranging from $31,243 to $31,243 per year. In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $211,730 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to San Rafael
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from San Rafael city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Marin | Kentfield, CA | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Golden Gate University | San Francisco, CA | 15.4 mi | $31,243 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near San Rafael
San Rafael is part of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area (BLS area code 41860). 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 | $152,090 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $131,566 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $132,720 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $114,810 |
| Financial Manager | $211,730 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $183,157 |
| Human Resources Manager | $206,420 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $178,564 |
| Management Analyst | $128,120 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $110,830 |
| Project Management Specialist | $132,530 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $114,645 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $105,750 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $91,479 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $92,390 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $79,922 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $83,020 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $71,817 |
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.
San Rafael at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,604 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $109,317 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 115.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Marin County | 5,409 workers, 997 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other San Rafael-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Novato, CA – 7.3 mi away (56,004 pop)
- San Pablo, CA – 10.0 mi away (30,536 pop)
- Richmond, CA – 10.4 mi away (109,813 pop)
- El Cerrito, CA – 12.9 mi away (25,400 pop)
- Hercules, CA – 14.5 mi away (25,360 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near San Rafael, CA?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of San Rafael. The closest is Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Golden Gate University (15.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near San Rafael?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near San Rafael are: Financial Manager ($211,730), Human Resources Manager ($206,420), General and Operations Manager ($152,090). 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 Novato instead of San Rafael?
Novato, CA is 7.3 miles from San Rafael 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 San Rafael an affordable place to study business administration?
San Rafael’s median household income of $109,317 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in San Rafael 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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