Best Education Programs in California (2026)
Education programs in California prepare students for K-12 teaching, special education, and educational leadership. The schools below are ranked by program strength, certification pass rates (where available), and net price — important for a field where starting salaries are modest.
#1
American Jewish University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$61,954
Grad Rate
41%
Education Share
100.0%
#2
Alliant International University-San Diego
San Diego, CA
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$66,666
Grad Rate
—
Education Share
98.5%
#3
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$16,665/yr
Median Earnings
$90,768
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
1.0%
#4
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$12,548/yr
Median Earnings
$82,511
Grad Rate
93%
Education Share
1.1%
#5
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$12,470/yr
Median Earnings
$84,943
Grad Rate
87%
Education Share
0.7%
#6
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$14,251/yr
Median Earnings
$80,735
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
3.1%
#7
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,741/yr
Median Earnings
$80,838
Grad Rate
85%
Education Share
0.0%
#8
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA
Net Price
$35,333/yr
Median Earnings
$84,713
Grad Rate
77%
Education Share
1.7%
#9
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,555/yr
Median Earnings
$70,070
Grad Rate
81%
Education Share
2.5%
#10
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$14,304/yr
Median Earnings
$67,699
Grad Rate
76%
Education Share
3.0%
#11
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Net Price
$17,890/yr
Median Earnings
$68,396
Grad Rate
75%
Education Share
1.6%
#12
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA
Net Price
$20,161/yr
Median Earnings
$65,464
Grad Rate
64%
Education Share
9.8%
#13
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$11,531/yr
Median Earnings
$71,902
Grad Rate
68%
Education Share
2.4%
#14
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$6,555/yr
Median Earnings
$62,951
Grad Rate
70%
Education Share
5.3%
#15
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
Net Price
$7,653/yr
Median Earnings
$57,072
Grad Rate
58%
Education Share
17.9%
#16
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$10,440/yr
Median Earnings
$64,403
Grad Rate
69%
Education Share
0.6%
#17
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Net Price
$31,495/yr
Median Earnings
$56,778
Grad Rate
68%
Education Share
6.2%
#18
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
Net Price
$14,480/yr
Median Earnings
$64,172
Grad Rate
63%
Education Share
2.0%
#19
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA
Net Price
$22,212/yr
Median Earnings
$66,677
Grad Rate
63%
Education Share
0.2%
#20
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$26,285/yr
Median Earnings
$61,504
Grad Rate
61%
Education Share
4.4%
#21
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$21,413/yr
Median Earnings
$72,379
Grad Rate
53%
Education Share
1.4%
#22
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Net Price
$9,338/yr
Median Earnings
$64,876
Grad Rate
56%
Education Share
4.8%
#23
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$45,566/yr
Median Earnings
$61,824
Grad Rate
64%
Education Share
0.4%
#24
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses
Stockton, CA
Net Price
$5,524/yr
Median Earnings
$39,248
Grad Rate
67%
Education Share
12.5%
#25
California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA
Net Price
$6,067/yr
Median Earnings
$63,188
Grad Rate
56%
Education Share
2.5%
Why a Education degree?
Special Education has 1% unemployment and 98% of districts report difficulty filling roles. Teacher shortages are the most severe in 30+ years.
Common career paths: Elementary Teacher · Special Education Teacher · High School Teacher · School Counselor · Principal/Administrator
Typical starting salary range: $45,000–$65,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in California
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