2026 Best Value Other Education Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Education Schools
Foothill College tops our 2026 list of the best value other education schools in California. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Other Education graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Other Education graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Channel Islands came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value other education schools. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the other education program here. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $34,646. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Berkeley City College earned it the #3 place for other education. Berkeley City College is a large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,258, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Median earnings reach $41,217 ten years out.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other education, landing the #4 spot this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $12,200. Other Education graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $31,250 early in their careers. Set against $12,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Desert is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,326, compared with $10,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $7,826. Other Education graduates of College Of The Desert earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,826 median debt.
Sonoma State University came in at #6 for value in other education this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Students borrow a median of $17,305 to complete the other education program here. Other Education graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $31,095 early in their careers. Set against $17,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of San Diego came in at #7 for value in other education this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Other Education graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Early-career other education graduates make about $68,281. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Southern California landed the #8 spot for other education value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the other education program here. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $108,535. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
[Other Education](/majors/education/other-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
