2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in California
[General Educational Leadership & Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/educational-leadership-and-administration-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general educational leadership & administration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for general educational leadership & administration students.
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2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general educational leadership & administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
For return on investment in general educational leadership & administration, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $96,352. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $96,306. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $102,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #5 place for general educational leadership & administration. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $15,598. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $113,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $84,058. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach placed #7 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $96,042. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #8 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $15,149. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $111,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay placed #9 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $18,073. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $95,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #10 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $17,492. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $77,944 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #12 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $106,694. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University earned the #13 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #14 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #15 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $16,097. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $109,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #16 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $76,876. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #17 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $16,417. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $105,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #18 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Azusa Pacific University placed #19 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $94,996. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Redlands came in at #20 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $27,175. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $92,898. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of The Pacific came in at #21 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $90,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
California Lutheran University placed #22 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,560. Students borrow a median of $22,727 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $84,731. That is a strong return on a $22,727 median debt. California Lutheran University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of La Verne ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University earned the #24 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $39,515. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $47,259. That is a strong return on a $39,515 median debt.
California Baptist University landed the #25 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $28,169. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $51,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general educational leadership & administration this year:
More General Educational Leadership & Administration Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
