Best Online Business Administration Programs in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
Santa Maria, California has a population of about 109,880. The city’s median household income is $84,617 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Santa Maria. In the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $163,740 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Santa Maria
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Santa Maria city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | 28.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cuesta College | San Luis Obispo, CA | 48.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA | 55.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ventura College | Ventura, CA | 82.3 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 Santa Maria
Santa Maria is part of the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area (BLS area code 42200). 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 | $110,030 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $101,131 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $107,470 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $98,778 |
| Financial Manager | $163,740 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $150,496 |
| Human Resources Manager | $150,930 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $138,722 |
| Management Analyst | $102,260 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $93,989 |
| Project Management Specialist | $107,060 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $98,401 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $88,160 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $81,029 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $60,170 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $55,303 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $70,420 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $64,724 |
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.
Santa Maria at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $84,617 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 15.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Santa Barbara County | 4,921 workers, 739 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Santa Maria-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Arroyo Grande, CA – 15.4 mi away (54,542 pop)
- Lompoc, CA – 18.8 mi away (53,062 pop)
- San Luis Obispo, CA – 26.3 mi away (62,391 pop)
- Atascadero, CA – 40.3 mi away (30,330 pop)
- Goleta, CA – 47.8 mi away (30,850 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Santa Maria, CA?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Santa Maria. The closest is Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ventura College (82.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Santa Maria?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Santa Maria are: Financial Manager ($163,740), Human Resources Manager ($150,930), General and Operations Manager ($110,030). 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 Arroyo Grande instead of Santa Maria?
Arroyo Grande, CA is 15.4 miles from Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria an affordable place to study business administration?
Santa Maria’s median household income of $84,617 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Santa Maria 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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