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2023 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in California

53 Ranked Colleges
26,792 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 53 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, 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 $48-$75k. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 146 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Stanford also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $7,081 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Education at Stanford

2

Out of the 53 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 829 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $5,700 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on Education at California State University - Los Angeles

3

Out of the 53 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 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.

UCLA also took the #6 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $12,644 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on Education at UCLA

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 982 diplomas to qualified ’s education students 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. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $9,017 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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%.

Full Cal State Fullerton Education Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school handed out 534 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $8,030 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 3.2% 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%.

Full California State University - Fresno Education Report

6

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 311 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,102 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUB.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Education Report

7

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 656 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $13,275 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.

Full University of California - Irvine Education Report

8

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. 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 took the #19 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $12,602 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 California State University - Sacramento Education Report

9

University of California - San Diego landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 132 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,310 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at University of California - San Diego

10

University of California - Riverside came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 348 students 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 $11,126 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

Read full report on Education at UCR

11

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 107 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. It costs about $15,567 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Education Report

12

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 118 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $13,423 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at University of California - Berkeley

13

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 713 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,780 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUN.

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%.

Read more about Education at CSUN

14

With a ranking of #14, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 225 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,854 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at California State University - San Bernardino

15

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSUDH is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 457 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $6,333 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 CSUDH Education Report

16

California State University - Long Beach ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 222 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $11,189 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

17

With a ranking of #17, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 131 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $14,193 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Education at University of California - Davis

18

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 186 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $7,976 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Education at California State University - Stanislaus

19
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 1,019 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

USC also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $22,826 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Education at University of Southern California

20
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 630 ’s 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 $14,698 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Education at San Diego State University

21
Fresno Pacific crest
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 195 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno Pacific also took the #14 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno Pacific University is $18,293 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 University Education Report

22
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 574 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,338 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Jose State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full San Jose State University Education Report

23

California State University - East Bay came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 301 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,615 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cal State East Bay.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - East Bay Education Report

24
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 565 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,065 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Francisco State University.

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%.

Read more about Education at San Francisco State University

25

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 $48-$75k ranking. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 221 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $14,309 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at CSUSM

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