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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k) in California

28 Ranked Colleges
1,234 Degrees Awarded
$18,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Special Education is the 39th most popular major in the country with 33,249 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,879 and had an average of $28,500 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 2,363 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,288 and $34,092 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,234 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree in special education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality special 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 special education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

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 Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education (Income $0-$30k) in California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 73 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Special Education Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 28 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Fresno Special 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 #3 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Special Education Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Long Beach Special Education Report

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - San Bernardino landed the #5 spot on the list. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 62 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSB also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Special Education Report

California State University - Northridge ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at CSUN

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM also took the #16 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at CSUSM

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Special 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 Cal State East Bay are $17,828.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - East Bay

#18 in overall quality

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Special 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 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Read more about Special Education at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

#10

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at SFSU

#11

National University

La Jolla, California

With a ranking of #11, National University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. National University is a fairly large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 315 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

National University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at National University

#12

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California
#5 in overall quality

Fresno Pacific University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Fresno, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Fresno Pacific has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Special 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 Fresno Pacific University are $15,000.

Read full report on Special Education at Fresno Pacific University

#13

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
#6 in overall quality

University of Redlands ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Redlands is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Redlands, California. It awarded 32 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Redlands also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Redlands are $22,852.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Redlands

#14

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CLU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Thousand Oaks, California. It awarded 15 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

CLU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Lutheran University are $20,600, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California Lutheran University Special Education Report

#15

Holy Names University

Oakland, California
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Holy Names University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Oakland, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

HNU also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Holy Names University are $18,590.

Read more about Special Education at Holy Names University

#16

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California

Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 26 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at PLNU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Point Loma Nazarene University are $11,880, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at Point Loma Nazarene University

#17

University of San Diego

San Diego, California

University of San Diego landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $28,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of San Diego Special Education Report

#18

Brandman University

Irvine, California
#1 in overall quality

Brandman University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 143 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Brandman also took the #1 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandman are $12,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Brandman University Special Education Report

#19

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California

Concordia University, Irvine landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Irvine also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Irvine are $8,121.

Read more about Special Education at Concordia University, Irvine

#23 in overall quality

The University of Arizona Global Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 128 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UAGC also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UAGC are $14,664.

Read more about Special Education at UAGC

#21

Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, California

Notre Dame de Namur University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Notre Dame de Namur University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Belmont, California. It awarded 26 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

NDNU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame de Namur University are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Notre Dame de Namur University Special Education Report

With a ranking of #22, Saint Mary’s College of California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Mary’s College of California is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Moraga, California. It awarded 2 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

SMC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SMC are $33,509, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at SMC

#23

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount University are $19,756, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Loyola Marymount University

#24

Biola University

La Mirada, California
#22 in overall quality

Biola University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. La Mirada, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students whose families make $0-$30k list, Biola has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Special 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 Biola University are $11,772.

Read more about Special Education at Biola University

#25

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MSMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MSMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Special 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 MSMU are $12,612.

Read full report on Special Education at Mount Saint Mary’s University

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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.

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