20 Best Masters Programs in Los Angeles, CA (2026)

Los Angeles is home to some of the top universities and colleges in California and the nation. With its vibrant culture, booming industries, and abundance of world-class institutions, LA attracts students from across the globe looking to further their education through high-quality masters programs.

In 2024, Los Angeles continues to offer a diverse range of exceptional graduate-level programs spanning various disciplines. Whether you’re looking to gain specialized skills in business or healthcare, advance your design portfolio, or become an expert in your academic field, LA has no shortage of options.

To help you decide, here is our list of the 20 best masters programs in Los Angeles for 2024:

1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Rating: 5/5

UCLA is globally recognized as the #1 public university in the United States, offering over 140 masters programs across arts, sciences, engineering, business, law, nursing, public affairs and more. With distinguished faculty, cutting-edge facilities and resources, and location in the epicenter of LA, UCLA provides unparalleled opportunities for students to develop expertise, engage in world-class research, and launch successful careers.

Popular masters programs include:

• MBA
• Computer Science
• Public Health
• Film and Television

Tuition: $47K (in-state), $60K (out-of-state) per year

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 310-825-4321, https://grad.ucla.edu/

2. University of Southern California (USC)

Rating: 5/5

With an emphasis on experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, USC offers nearly 200 masters programs designed to provide students with an enriching, career-oriented education. Students have access to abundant research, networking, mentoring and professional development opportunities to complement their academic journey.

Popular masters programs include:

• Business (Marshall)
• Cinematic Arts
• Engineering
• Social Work

Tuition: $62K per year

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 213-740-1111, https://www.usc.edu

3. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Rating: 5/5

Recognized globally for excellence in science and engineering, Caltech provides outstanding graduate education focused on research and innovation. Students work alongside renowned faculty to push boundaries across science, technology, creative disciplines and more. Located in Pasadena, Caltech offers masters programs in:

• Applied & Computational Mathematics
• Bioengineering
• Bioscience & Health Policy
• Medical Engineering

Tuition: $56K per year

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 626-395-6811, https://www.gradoffice.caltech.edu

4. Pepperdine University

Rating: 4.8/5

Pepperdine‘s scenic Malibu campus provides a uniquely inspiring setting for graduate education. With small class sizes and accessible professors, students receive personalized mentorship to reach their academic and professional goals. Popular Pepperdine masters programs include:

• Business Administration (MBA)
• Dispute Resolution
• Psychology
• Public Policy

Tuition: $1,960 per unit

Apply By: Rolling admissions

Contact: 310-506-4000, https://www.pepperdine.edu/graduate-schools/

5. Loyola Marymount University (LMU)

Rating: 4.7/5

LMU offers over 30 masters programs focused on leadership, civic engagement and making a positive impact on society. Located in vibrant West LA, LMU provides opportunities to connect academic coursework with real-world practice through research, internships, consulting projects and more. Some top programs include:

• Film & Television Production
• Marketing
• Engineering Management
• Yoga Studies

Tuition: $1,990 per unit

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 310-338-2700, https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/graduate/

6. University of California, Irvine (UCI)

Rating: 4.8/5

As a nationally ranked research university, UCI offers 100+ masters programs designed to advance intellectual discovery and promote student and faculty scholarship. With renowned faculty driving innovation, students gain access to cutting-edge facilities and resources to enhance their learning. Top masters programs include:

• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity
• Public Health
• Urban & Regional Planning

Tuition: $44K (in-state), $56K (out-of-state) per year

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 949-824-5011, https://graduate.uci.edu

7. California State University, Northridge (CSUN)

Rating: 4.2/5

CSUN offers a range of affordable masters programs focused on developing in-demand skills for today’s industries. With hands-on learning experiences and connections to LA leaders, students gain relevant knowledge to advance their careers. Popular programs include:

• Business Administration (MBA)
• Counseling
• Health Administration
• Music Industry Administration

Tuition: $9K per year (in-state)

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 818-677-1200, https://www.csun.edu/graduate-studies

8. Mount Saint Mary‘s University, LA (MSMU)

Rating: 4.1/5

As LA‘s leading Catholic university for women, MSMU empowers students through value-driven education focused on leadership, social justice and service. Blending academic rigor with real-world practice, MSMU offers acclaimed masters programs in fields like:

• Business Administration
• Counseling Psychology
• Education
• Nursing

Tuition: $900 per unit

Apply By: Rolling admissions

Contact: 213-477-2800, https://www.msmu.edu/graduate-programs/

9. The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)

Rating: 4.8/5

For students passionate about fashion, FIDM offers one-of-a-kind masters programs focused on the design and global business of style. Taught by leading industry experts and leveraging partnerships with major brands/publications, FIDM provides unparalleled connections into fashion‘s creative epicenters in LA and beyond. Programs include:

• Fashion Design
• Fashion Business (MBA)
• Fashion Media

Tuition: $36K per year

Apply By: Rolling admissions

Contact: 800-624-1200, https://fidm.edu/en/degrees/graduate/

10. Azusa Pacific University (APU)

Rating: 4.0/5

At APU, students develop scholarly expertise and ethical leadership skills within a supportive Christian environment. Blending academic excellence with spiritual growth, APU empowers students through innovative masters programs in fields like:

• Leadership
• Nursing
• Social Work
• Teaching

Tuition: $785 per unit

Apply By: Rolling admissions

Contact: 626-812-3055, https://www.apu.edu/graduateprofessionalcenter/

11. Claremont Graduate University (CGU)

Rating: 4.8/5

Globally recognized for graduate education in arts and humanities, social sciences, math/physical sciences, and management/policy, CGU offers premium advanced degree programs tailored to student passions and interests. Located near downtown LA in charming Claremont, popular CGU masters programs include:

• Arts & Cultural Management
• Information Systems & Technology
• Public Health
• Religion, Ethics & Society

Tuition: $2,424 per unit

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 909-621-8000, https://www.cgu.edu/

12. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)

Rating: 4.3/5

CSULB provides affordable, high-quality masters programs focused on academic excellence and real-world impact. With connections to LA leaders across business, engineering, arts and healthcare, CSULB empowers students through flexible on-campus and online programs in fields like:

• Computer Science
• Health Science
• Public Policy & Administration
• Social Work

Tuition: $7,100 per year (in-state)

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 562-985-4111, http://www.csulb.edu/

13. California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA)

Rating: 4.0/5

Offering affordable masters programs grounded in academic rigor and social responsibility, CSULA prepares students to address pressing needs in education, business, engineering and more. Hands-on research and fieldwork opportunities allow students to directly impact communities across LA. Programs include:

• Counseling
• Criminal Justice
• Social Work
• Special Education

Tuition: $8,500 per year (in-state)

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 323-343-3000, https://www.calstatela.edu/

14. West Coast University

Rating: 4.6/5

With a legacy spanning over 100 years, West Coast University (WCU) offers career-oriented masters programs focused on in-demand fields like healthcare, business and technology. Led by experienced professionals, WCU integrates rigorous coursework with extensive hands-on training and clinical placements to prepare graduates for high-growth industries across LA and beyond. Programs include:

• Healthcare Administration
• Health Analytics
• Occupational Therapy
• Organizational Leadership

Tuition: $16K per year

Apply By: Rolling admissions

Contact: 866-859-8920, https://westcoastuniversity.edu/

15. Woodbury University

Rating: 4.3/5

Located in vibrant Burbank, Woodbury delivers specialized masters programs blending design principles and business applications to advance creativity and drive innovation across media, fashion and architecture. By bridging education with industry practice, Woodbury prepares graduates to launch successful careers across LA’s creative landscape. Programs include:

• Architecture
• Design Management
• Media Design Practices

Tuition: $1,860 per unit

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 818-252-5188, http://www.woodbury.edu/

16. Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)

Rating: 4.8/5

Widely recognized as LA‘s premier school of architecture, SCI-Arc offers a uniquely progressive Masters of Architecture centered on pushing boundaries through forward-thinking design, radical experimentation and advanced fabrication technologies. The cutting-edge 2-year program prepares creative leaders driving innovation in architecture and beyond.

Tuition: $49K total

Apply By: January 9, 2024

Contact: 213-613-2200, https://sciarc.edu/

17. American Jewish University

Rating: 4.1/5

Located in beautiful Bel Air, American Jewish University provides interdisciplinary masters programs focused on leadership, purpose and community impact through a Jewish lens. Offering flexible learning options, popular AJU programs include:

• Business Administration & Leadership (MBA)
• Nonprofit Management
• Psychology & Leadership

Tuition: $855 per unit

Apply By: Rolling admissions

Contact: 310-476-9777, https://www.aju.edu/graduate

18. Boston Reed College

Rating: 4.3/5

Boston Reed offers career-oriented masters programs focused on in-demand skills across business, technology, healthcare, education and more. With flexible online and campus-based options, affordable tuition rates and experienced faculty, Boston Reed caters to working professionals seeking to enhance their earning potential and career prospects.

Popular programs include:

• Business Administration (MBA)
• Information Technology
• Public Administration

Tuition: $400 per credit

Apply By: Rolling admissions

Contact: 877-687-7336, https://www.bostonreed.edu/

19. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law

Rating: 4.8/5

Located in Malibu overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law provides an inspiring setting for graduate legal education focused on ethics, dispute resolution and cross-cultural understanding. Popular programs include:

• Dispute Resolution (JDs and LLM)
• Entertainment, Media & Sports Law (LLM)
• US Law & Public Policy (LLM)

Tuition: $1,960 per unit

Apply By: Varies by program

Contact: 310-506-4611, https://law.pepperdine.edu

20. Los Angeles College of Music (LACM)

Rating: 4.8/5

Located in Pasadena, LACM offers specialized masters programs designed to advance musical artistry, performance skills and industry knowledge. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities to learn from LA’s elite music professionals, LACM prepares graduates to launch careers across recording, composing, education and beyond. Programs include:

• Composition
• Music Performance
• Music Producing & Recording

Tuition: $1,950 per unit

Apply By: Rolling admissions

Contact: 626-568-8850, https://www.lacm.edu/