2027 Best Value Education Schools in California
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 106 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in education in California. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Education graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for education. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #3 place for education. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $74,565. That is a strong return on a $12,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,672. Set against $12,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,500. Education graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Santa Monica College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santa Ana College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield placed #9 among the best values for education. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Ventura College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #11 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Education graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Education graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Imperial Valley College placed #14 among the best values for education. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for education graduates is $6,176. Education graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College landed the #15 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #16 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College came in at #17 for value in education this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Golden West College placed #18 among the best values for education. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #19 position for value in education this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,805 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #20 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,945 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $56,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Clovis Community College Fresno placed #21 among the best values for education. Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
California State University Northridge landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,082. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno earned the #23 position for value in education this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,000. Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $35,424 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Norco College earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Butte College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 106 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
