2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
54
Ranked Colleges
26,792
Degrees Awarded
$7,900
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 has developed its “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
With 327,871 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. 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.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 54 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to 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 For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 146 students in 2020-2021.
Stanford also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $1,233 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stanford.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 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 0.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Stanford Education Report
Out of the 54 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 829 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $1,887 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Cal State LA
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 982 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Education at Cal State Fullerton
Out of the 54 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 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.
In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Education at UCLA
Out of the 54 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #5 spot on the list. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 534 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $3,859 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Fresno State Education Report
University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 132 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 University of California - San Diego
California State University - Bakersfield landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUB is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 311 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $5,238 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full California State University - Bakersfield Education Report
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 843 students in 2020-2021.
Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full Sac State Education Report
University of California - Irvine landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 656 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $6,540 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%.
Full University of California - Irvine Education Report
University of California - Berkeley ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 118 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Berkeley.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 University of California - Berkeley Education Report
California State University - Northridge came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 713 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $6,266 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 CSUN
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 107 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $11,038 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Education at University of California - Santa Cruz
University of California - Riverside ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 348 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $6,810 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Education at UCR
University of Southern California landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 1,019 students in 2020-2021.
USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,287 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Southern California.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Education at USC
With a ranking of #15, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 225 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $5,985 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 457 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $2,657 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 more about Education at CSUDH
California State University - Long Beach ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 222 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,663 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSULB.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Education at CSULB
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 186 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,122 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Education at Stan State
With a ranking of #19, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $7,169 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full SDSU Education Report
University of California - Davis ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 131 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #17 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $10,006 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Education at UC Davis
With a ranking of #21, Fresno Pacific University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 195 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Fresno Pacific has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Fresno Pacific University is $17,544 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Jose State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 574 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $12,158 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 full report on Education at San Jose State University
San Francisco State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k 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 yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $10,705 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at SFSU
California State University - East Bay came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 301 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.
Full California State University - East Bay Education Report
California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUMB is a medium-sized school located in Seaside, California that handed out 94 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $9,192 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full CSUMB Education Report
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