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2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

66 Ranked Colleges
14,211 Degrees Awarded
$23,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Education Schools for a Master's in California For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Education is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 4th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 310,601 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 66 colleges that offered a degree in education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree education students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education in California (With Aid)

Out of the 66 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Dominguez Hills 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 full report on Education at CSUDH

#22 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 337 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about 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 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 295 masters’s degrees 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 be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 461 masters’s 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 full report on Education at Cal State Fullerton

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Bakersfield. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 188 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at California State University - Bakersfield

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 117 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 Stan State are $18,540.

Full Stan State Education Report

California State University - Long Beach ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 196 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at California State University - Long Beach

#10 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 130 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at UC Irvine

California State University - Northridge ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 350 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at California State University - Northridge

#10

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Stanford University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 169 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Full Stanford University Education Report

#11

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 175 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree education students with aid list, UCR has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Riverside Education Report

#12

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 206 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUSB Education Report

#13

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 176 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at University of California - Los Angeles

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 101 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at California State University - Sacramento

With a ranking of #15, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Education Report

#8 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school handed out 61 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

With a ranking of #17, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 83 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 - San Marcos are $18,661.

Read more about Education at CSUSM

#18

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 254 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

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

Read full report on Education at San Jose State

#19

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 434 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at San Diego State University

#20

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 149 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at University of California - Santa Barbara

California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. California State University - Monterey Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Seaside, California. It awarded 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 California State University - Monterey Bay are $18,081.

Read full report on Education at CSUMB

With a ranking of #22, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school awarded 187 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State East Bay Education Report

#12 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 135 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at UC Davis

#24

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#14 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. UC Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #14 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at University of California - Santa Cruz

#25

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#19 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 70 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at University of California - Berkeley

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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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