Founded as the mother unit of the University of the East, the College of Business Administration started as a CPA Review School in 1946. With an enrollment of only 213, the review classes expanded into a college, the College of Commerce. In 1963, it was renamed the College of Business Administration.

The College has had a line of distinguished men and women at its helm. Dr. Santiago F. De La Cruz, the first Dean of the College (1947-1971), pushed for excellent performance at the CPA board examinations. As a result, graduates have garnered the 1st to 20th places in the board examinations over the years.

In 1976, extension programs were organized at the Caloocan Campus or UE Caloocan. Among the programs offered were four-year BSBA courses in various areas of specialization. In the 1986 reorganization, the office of the Dean of the College of Business Administration-Caloocan (CBA Caloocan) was created, and Teresita Nadurata was appointed its first Dean. She implemented the same curricular programs as those offered in the Manila Campus.

October 1991 saw the fusing of the two Colleges of Business Administration under the stewardship of Dean Nadurata. The objective was to achieve uniformity of programs in both Campuses. Meanwhile, Zenaida S. Diola served as Associate Dean of CBA Caloocan.

Upon the retirement of Dean Nadurata in 1993, Ester F. Ledesma took over the deanship in the Manila Campus while Chancellor Desideria R. Rex served concurrently as Dean of CBA Caloocan until the appointment of Dr. Jose P. Nagayo in 1996.

CBA Caloocan Dean Nagayo was succeeded shortly after by Dr. Francisco L. Lontoc, who served up to April 30, 1997. Associate Dean Asuncion B. Howe was designated Officer-in-Charge until the appointment of a new Dean, Dr. Felino L. Ampil Jr., in January 1998.

Dr. Jose C. Benedicto became Dean of CBA Caloocan in 1999. Dean Benedicto served on a concurrent capacity when he was appointed Chancellor of UE Caloocan shortly after Mr. Baltazar N. Endriga, a CBA Manila alumnus (BBA 1960, magna cum laude), became the next Dean of the College. Formerly President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Dean Endriga had to relinquish the CBA Caloocan deanship following his appointment as UE’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and then as the University’s President and Chief Academic Officer.

Mr. Eduardo M. Trinidad, also a UE alumnus (BBA 1972, cum laude), was the CBA Caloocan Dean from May 2002 to April 2006. A banker for 20 years ,became the College’s Dean in May 2002. Dean Trinidad has worked closely with the Accountancy faculty to strictly implement the retention policy for Accountancy students, to improve the quality of teaching and to push for the teachers’ continuing professional development.

Ms. Estelita D. Bello, another UE alumna (BBA 1972, summa cum laude) was appointed CBA Caloocan Dean in May 2006. Her stint in UE marks her full-fledged debut in the academic realm. She focused on improving the Accountancy program to maintain the consistent showing of UE graduates in the board exams. 

Dr. Rogelio V. Paglomutan, brought to the college his wide-array of experiences as an academician, an economist and former Assistant Secretary of the Department on Environment and Natural Resources and a former Deputy National Treasurer of the Philippines when he assumed the deanship in May 2010. It was during his term that the BS Accountancy and BS Business Administration programs were awarded the PAASCU Level II Accreditation. He also led the adoption of Outcomes-based Education (OBE) and intensified the use of ICT in teaching and learning. He started the installation of LCD projectors in all classrooms and computer laboratories.

On May 2013, Dr. Donatila A. San Juan , also a UE alumnus (BBA 1969, summa cum laude) was appointed as the dean of CBA. She implemented strategic plans to ensure overall academic success. 

During the term of Dr. Oscar V. Gulmatico, who was the dean from May 2015-April 2018, the college was able to attain PAASCU Level III Re-accreditation of the BSA and BSBA programs. He initialized the CBA Business Forum and the study for the adoption of international certification courses. It was also at this time that there was a resurgence of the partnership between the college and the recognized student organizations, with the conduct of a regular communication with the student leaders.

Research and international linkages were the pillars of Dr. Louie A. Divinagracia’s administration. From May 2018-May 2021, the college was able to seal memorandum of understanding for research and training with other Asian universities and launched the ASER International Research Congress. In 2019, CBA Caloocan became the only training facility in the CAMANAVA area of various international certification programs including the Bloomberg Education and the only institutionally-accredited Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) partner. The college was also able to renew its tie with the BES-HNS Foundation which granted scholarship to Accountancy students.

The College is now under the leadership of Dean Emeteria B. Dalisay who with her strong leadership skills and motherly approach paved the way for a good and harmonious relationship among the different constituents of the college and for building linkages with other organizations. With her at the helm of the college, CBA will surely reach new academic heights!