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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education (Income $30-$48k) in California

63 Ranked Colleges
14,211 Degrees Awarded
$24,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Education Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 310,601 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 24,764 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $55,134 and $37,359 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 14,211 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 63 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 63 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 169 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Full Stanford Education Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 223 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884.

Read more about Education at CSUDH

#22 in overall quality

Out of the 63 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 337 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at Cal State LA

Out of the 63 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 295 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fresno Education Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 461 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at California State University - Fullerton

#10 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 130 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at UC Irvine

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 117 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540.

Read more about Education at Stan State

California State University - Long Beach ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 196 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Long Beach Education Report

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUB is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 188 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUB Education Report

#10

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 176 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Full UCLA Education Report

California State University - Northridge landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 350 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955.

Full CSUN Education Report

#12

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#16 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Riverside is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 175 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at University of California - Riverside

#13

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 70 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at University of California - Berkeley

#14

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 206 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at CSUSB

#15

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 149 students in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #7 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSB Education Report

California State University - Sacramento ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 101 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at California State University - Sacramento

#8 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 61 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree education students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSD has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Read full report on Education at University of California - San Diego

#18

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 434 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at San Diego State University

#12 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 135 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at UC Davis

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 59 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #14 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Full UC Santa Cruz Education Report

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. CSUSM is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 83 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUSM Education Report

California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Monterey Bay is a medium-sized school located in Seaside, California that handed out 94 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUMB are $18,081.

Read full report on Education at CSUMB

#23

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 254 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Jose State University Education Report

#24

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 622 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree education students whose families make $30-$48k list, USC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715.

Full University of Southern California Education Report

With a ranking of #25, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 23 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Education Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

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