2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for education. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #3 place for education. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #5 place for education. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $48,657. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saddleback College placed #6 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Education graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #7 for value in education this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Education graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #11 for value in education this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Education graduates carry a median of $12,331 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $47,528 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,331 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ventura College earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Education graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College placed #14 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Santa Monica College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santa Ana College landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,945 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $57,099. That is a strong return on a $14,945 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Citrus College placed #19 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Riverside City College came in at #20 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,767. Education graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #21 position for value in education this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $12,566 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $71,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,805 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $30,264. That is a strong return on a $13,805 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $38,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Sacramento City College placed #24 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Education graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Education graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge came in at #25 for value in education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $74,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 186 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
