2023 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $30-$48k) in California
54
Ranked Colleges
26,792
Degrees Awarded
$8,900
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
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.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 54 colleges that offered a degree in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and 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.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california education students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 146 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,581 for california education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stanford University.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Stanford University Education Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 829 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $2,701 for california education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Cal State LA
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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 $4,655 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Fresno State
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 265 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $9,891 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at UCLA
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 982 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,821 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Education at Cal State Fullerton
California State University - Bakersfield came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 311 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $6,046 for california education students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Education at California State University - Bakersfield
University of California - San Diego landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 132 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSD has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $11,176 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 more about Education at UCSD
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 713 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Education Report
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 843 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Sac State also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,055 for california education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 California State University - Sacramento
University of California - Berkeley came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 118 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,999 for california education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Berkeley.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read more about Education at University of California - Berkeley
University of California - Irvine landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 656 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also took the #8 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,449 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Irvine.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, 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 94%.
Read more about Education at University of California - Irvine
California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 457 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $3,329 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 California State University - Dominguez Hills
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 225 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,613 for california education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUSB.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.
Full CSUSB Education Report
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 348 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at UCR
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 107 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $12,049 for california education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Education at University of California - Santa Cruz
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 186 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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 California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - Long Beach landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 222 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $7,573 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, 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 89%.
Read full report on Education at California State University - Long Beach
With a ranking of #18, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 131 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
UC Davis also took the #17 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $11,598 for california education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, 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 93%.
Read full report on Education at University of California - Davis
University of Southern California landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 1,019 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,345 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USC.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, 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 91%.
Read full report on Education at University of Southern California
San Diego State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 630 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $9,274 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full SDSU Education Report
San Jose State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 574 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $13,378 for california education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, 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%.
Read more about Education at San Jose State
With a ranking of #22, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 301 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $11,025 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Cal State East Bay
Fresno Pacific University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 195 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno Pacific, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno Pacific is $17,827 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 more about Education at Fresno Pacific University
San Francisco State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 565 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $11,862 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.
Full San Francisco State University Education Report
California State University - San Marcos came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 221 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUSM is $10,348 for California Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 CSUSM
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