Location: San Francisco, CA•In-State Tuition: $31,243
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$54,980
Est. from CA median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,840
Est. from national median (44 programs)

Analysis

Is Golden Gate University's management sciences program worth Bay Area tuition prices? Based on comparable programs across California, graduates typically earn around $55,000 in their first year—notably below the $62,000 national median for this degree. That's roughly $15,000 less than what UC Santa Barbara reports for its quantitative methods graduates, and even trails UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton. For a private university in one of the country's most expensive cities, these earnings feel modest.

The estimated debt load of $24,840 isn't alarming on its own—it's close to the national median and produces a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio. But context matters: other California programs in this field typically saddle graduates with just $15,000 in debt, nearly $10,000 less. That difference compounds when you're starting your career with below-average earnings in an expensive market. Similar programs elsewhere in the state appear to deliver comparable or better outcomes with significantly less financial burden.

The challenge here isn't catastrophic debt—it's paying premium private school rates for mid-tier outcomes. If your child is drawn to Golden Gate's location or format, ask hard questions about placement outcomes and whether the school can document actual graduate success. Otherwise, the public university alternatives in California look stronger on paper.

Where Golden Gate University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally

Golden Gate University (estimated ±10%)Other management sciences and quantitative methods programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Golden Gate UniversitySan Francisco$31,243$54,980*—$24,840*—
University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara$14,965$66,099*$86,107$11,128*0.17
University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla$15,265$60,973*$71,520$17,500*0.29
California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks$50,670$57,276*—$24,728*0.43
University of California-DavisDavis$15,247$52,684*—$12,144*0.23
California State University-FullertonFullerton$7,073$49,830*—$12,375*0.25
National Median—$62,069*—$23,250*0.37
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates

Actuaries

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

$125,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Operations Research Analysts

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

$91,290/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Golden Gate University, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.