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.
More for California:All California collegesComputer ScienceNursingBusinessTAG transfer programsTake the fit quiz →
#1
Alliant International University-San Diego
San Diego, CA
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$67,985
Grad Rate
—
Education Share
99.5%
#2
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Net Price
$14,538/yr
Median Earnings
$100,212
Grad Rate
93%
Education Share
0.1%
#3
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$18,832/yr
Median Earnings
$96,304
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
1.3%
#4
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$14,794/yr
Median Earnings
$96,197
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
0.8%
#5
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$14,659/yr
Median Earnings
$88,581
Grad Rate
93%
Education Share
1.2%
#6
American Jewish University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$43,649
Grad Rate
—
Education Share
100.0%
#7
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$13,866/yr
Median Earnings
$83,432
Grad Rate
87%
Education Share
2.9%
#8
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,318/yr
Median Earnings
$86,999
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
0.1%
#9
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA
Net Price
$35,567/yr
Median Earnings
$90,053
Grad Rate
75%
Education Share
2.4%
#10
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,708/yr
Median Earnings
$80,694
Grad Rate
82%
Education Share
2.9%
#11
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$12,672/yr
Median Earnings
$72,974
Grad Rate
76%
Education Share
3.7%
#12
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Net Price
$18,549/yr
Median Earnings
$73,362
Grad Rate
74%
Education Share
2.2%
#13
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA
Net Price
$17,491/yr
Median Earnings
$66,140
Grad Rate
50%
Education Share
25.2%
#14
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$9,404/yr
Median Earnings
$77,464
Grad Rate
68%
Education Share
2.8%
#15
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA
Net Price
$20,523/yr
Median Earnings
$74,115
Grad Rate
62%
Education Share
7.7%
#16
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$5,115/yr
Median Earnings
$69,015
Grad Rate
69%
Education Share
5.4%
#17
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$9,426/yr
Median Earnings
$69,554
Grad Rate
70%
Education Share
0.5%
#18
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Net Price
$32,530/yr
Median Earnings
$64,126
Grad Rate
68%
Education Share
5.1%
#19
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$24,138/yr
Median Earnings
$67,633
Grad Rate
61%
Education Share
7.4%
#20
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$27,235/yr
Median Earnings
$78,572
Grad Rate
55%
Education Share
3.0%
#21
Humphreys University
Stockton, CA
Net Price
$13,473/yr
Median Earnings
$45,846
Grad Rate
64%
Education Share
20.4%
#22
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
Net Price
$14,157/yr
Median Earnings
$70,012
Grad Rate
62%
Education Share
1.7%
#23
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Net Price
$11,186/yr
Median Earnings
$69,014
Grad Rate
55%
Education Share
4.6%
#24
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
Net Price
$2,851/yr
Median Earnings
$64,467
Grad Rate
59%
Education Share
4.6%
#25
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA
Net Price
$6,346/yr
Median Earnings
$63,721
Grad Rate
57%
Education Share
4.0%
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
Education programs in other states
More college guides like this in your inbox
Weekly analysis of college costs, financial aid, transfer pathways, and career outcomes — for U.S. families.