While some Orange County business schools are gaining students, enrollment remains a challenge for many.
Full-time master’s enrollment declined less than 1% to 3,067 across 14 schools, according to this week’s Business Journal list. The list now ranks the schools by master’s students other than MBA enrollment to reflect the wider range of degrees offered.
Part-time enrollment also fell 3.76% to 1,435, while full-time MBA enrollment dropped 3% to 2,211.
Eight of the schools reported decreases, including Chapman University’s George L. Argyros College of Business & Economics, which experienced a drop in full-time master’s enrollment to 112 students, down 21% from the year prior.
The Orange-based university appointed Amy Zeng to lead
The Orange-based university appointed Amy Zeng to lead the business college this year, following Henrik Cronqvist’s departure last May after three years as dean. Former dean Tom Turk served as interim dean before Zeng’s appointment.
This year, the Argyros College climbed 13 spots in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the best graduate schools, placing it among the top three private business schools in California and No. 53 overall.
Chapman is currently investing in programs reflecting emerging opportunities in business analytics, finance and AI, among others.
The future of graduate business education depends
“The future of graduate business education depends on how effectively programs adapt to the needs of students and employers,” Zeng told the Business Journal.
Fluctuations Across the Board
California State University, Fullerton, home to the largest accredited business school on the West Coast, also recorded a 2% dip in full-time master’s enrollment to 340 students.
“While some fluctuations have occurred in areas traditionally reliant on international students, the broader demand for our graduate business education remains strong,” Dean Sridhar “Sri” Sundaram told the Business Journal.
CSUF is preparing to launch a redesigned version
CSUF is preparing to launch a redesigned version of its Professional MBA program in fall 2027. The university is also partnering with Irvine-based Commercial Bank of California to place AI-trained business students in internships where they will identify ways to streamline the bank’s operations using AI (see page 20).
The largest decrease in enrollment came from the University of La Verne, where enrollment was down 31% to 217 students, followed by Chapman and Pepperdine Graziado Business School in Irvine.
Stanton Bucks Enrollment Declines
Stanton University in Anaheim is defying regional trends by growing its full-time master’s enrollment by 28% to 320 students.
While some business schools across the country
“While some business schools across the country are experiencing enrollment challenges,” Louna Al Hallak, chief academic officer at Stanton, told the Business Journal. “We believe it is important to recognize that enrollment trends can vary significantly depending on institutional size, student demographics, program offerings and the populations each university serves.”
Hallak said that Stanton’s MBA continues to be its most popular degree program, with enrollment increasing 9% to 220 students, as well as its Master of Science in information systems management.
The University of California, Riverside School of Business posted one of the largest gains, with full-time enrollment growing 74% to 290 master’s students. However, officials said they’re struggling with a decline in international students.
“The international graduate market — which historically represents a vital component of business schools nationwide — has undergone substantial realignment due various domestic and international policies,” Dean Yunzeng Wang told the Business Journal.
