2024 Best Value Education Schools in California
63
Ranked Colleges
26,792
Degrees Awarded
$16,000
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Education is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 4th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 327,871 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 26,792 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,949 and $23,652 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools in California” ranking, we looked at 63 colleges that offer a degree in education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Education Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Education Schools in California
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in California.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education in California
Out of the 63 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Irvine landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Irvine, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 528 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Irvine, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Irvine is $27,201 for California Education students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Concordia University, Irvine
Out of the 63 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 713 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for california education students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Education Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Azusa Pacific University. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California list. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 327 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Azusa Pacific also took the #11 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific is $30,744 for california education students.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Azusa Pacific University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Sacramento. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in California. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 843 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students list, Sac State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $11,178 for california education students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Sac State
Out of the 63 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 265 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for California Education students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Education Report
University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 107 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #3 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for california education students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at University of California - Santa Cruz
With a ranking of #7, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 534 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for california education students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Fresno Education Report
California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking, coming in at #8. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 982 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,003 for california education students per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about Education at California State University - Fullerton
University of California - San Diego landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 132 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for california education students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UCSD Education Report
With a ranking of #10, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California list. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 311 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Bakersfield is $7,454 for california education students.
Read more about Education at California State University - Bakersfield
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking, coming in at #11. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 222 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for California Education students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full CSULB Education Report
University of California - Irvine landed the #12 spot on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 656 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for California Education students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UC Irvine Education Report
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 565 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for California Education students.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full San Francisco State University Education Report
California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 829 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,302 for California Education students per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Cal State LA
Northcentral University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking, coming in at #15. Northcentral University is located in La Jolla, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 785 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northcentral University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Northcentral University
San Jose State University landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 574 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $16,542 for California Education students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full San Jose State Education Report
California State University - San Bernardino landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 225 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $8,107 for California Education students per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at California State University - San Bernardino
Fresno Pacific University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California list. Fresno Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 195 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno Pacific also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno Pacific University is $19,029 for California Education students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Fresno Pacific Education Report
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking, coming in at #19. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 630 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for california education students.
With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Education at San Diego State University
National University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 2,121 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at National University, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,722 for California Education students per year to attend National University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Education at National University
University of California - Riverside landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 348 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,822 for california education students per year to attend UCR.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Education at University of California - Riverside
Brandman University landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking. Brandman is located in Irvine, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 917 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brandman, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $27,866 for california education students per year to attend Brandman University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Brandman
Loyola Marymount University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California ranking, coming in at #23. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 473 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Loyola Marymount did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $44,467 for california education students per year to attend Loyola Marymount.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Loyola Marymount University Education Report
With a ranking of #24, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 131 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for california education students.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at UC Davis
With a ranking of #25, Sonoma State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Education Schools in California list. This medium-sized school is located in Rohnert Park, California, and it awarded 146 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend SSU is $17,563 for california education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at SSU
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