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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education in California (With Aid)

28 Ranked Colleges
1,234 Degrees Awarded
$17,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master's in California For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 33,249 people earned their degree in special education, making the major the 39th most popular in the United States. 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.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 28 colleges that offered a degree in special education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great special 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 special education program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid.

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

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also took the #3 spot 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 State LA are $17,723.

Read full report on Special Education at Cal State LA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. CSUDH is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 11 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at California State University - Dominguez Hills

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fresno Special Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - San Bernardino. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 62 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 38 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at CSUN

California State University - Long Beach came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Long Beach Special Education Report

#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 Getting Aid list. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

CSUSM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at California State University - San Marcos

#24 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid 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.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students with aid list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - East Bay Special Education Report

#9

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #9, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Full San Francisco State University Special Education Report

#10

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California
#5 in overall quality

Fresno Pacific University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Fresno Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 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 Fresno Pacific University are $15,000.

Full Fresno Pacific University Special Education Report

#11

Brandman University

Irvine, California
#1 in overall quality

Brandman University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Irvine, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 143 students in 2019-2020.

Brandman not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 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 Brandman University are $12,540.

Read full report on Special Education at Brandman

#12

National University

La Jolla, California

National University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in La Jolla, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 315 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

National University also took the #4 spot 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 National University are $15,480.

Read more about Special Education at National University

#18 in overall quality

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 10 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 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 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Special Education Report

#23 in overall quality

The University of Arizona Global Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. The University of Arizona Global Campus is a large private for-profit school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 128 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

UAGC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UAGC are $14,664, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at UAGC

#15

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
#6 in overall quality

University of Redlands ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Redlands, California, and 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Redlands are $22,852, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at University of Redlands

#16

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #16, Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSMU are $12,612, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at MSMU

#17

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Thousand Oaks, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

CLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 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 CLU are $20,600.

Read full report on Special Education at California Lutheran University

#18

Holy Names University

Oakland, California
#25 in overall quality

Holy Names 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 Getting Aid ranking. Holy Names University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oakland, California. It awarded 7 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students with aid list, HNU has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at HNU are $18,590, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Holy Names University

#19

Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, California

Notre Dame de Namur University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. NDNU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Belmont, California. It awarded 26 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NDNU, the school also landed the #21 spot 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 Notre Dame de Namur University are $17,884.

Read full report on Special Education at Notre Dame de Namur University

#20

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California

Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 26 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

PLNU also took 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Point Loma Nazarene University Special Education Report

#21

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California

Concordia University, Irvine came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Concordia University, Irvine is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 2 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Irvine also took the #0 spot 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 Concordia University, Irvine are $8,121.

Read more about Special Education at Concordia University, Irvine

#22

University of La Verne

La Verne, California

With a ranking of #22, University of La Verne did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in La Verne, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 8 degrees to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ULV are $14,526.

Read full report on Special Education at University of La Verne

#23

University of San Diego

San Diego, California

With a ranking of #23, University of San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. USD is located in San Diego, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

USD also took the #0 spot 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 University of San Diego are $28,410.

Full University of San Diego Special Education Report

#24

Biola University

La Mirada, California
#22 in overall quality

Biola University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Biola University is a medium-sized school located in La Mirada, California that handed out 4 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Biola also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Biola University are $11,772, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at Biola University

#25

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Loyola Marymount University is a medium-sized school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 32 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students with aid list, Loyola Marymount has also earned the #2 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 Loyola Marymount are $19,756.

Read full report on Special Education at Loyola Marymount 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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