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2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California

27 Ranked Colleges
1,234 Degrees Awarded
$17,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master's in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in special education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent special education programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Special Education Schools

The special ed school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree special ed students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Special Education in California

#1

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Fresno Pacific University landed the #1 spot on the list. Fresno Pacific is located in Fresno, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

Fresno Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno Pacific University are $15,000, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at Fresno Pacific

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. 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 list, Cal State LA has also earned the #3 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 California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Full Cal State LA Special Education Report

#3

Brandman University

Irvine, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Brandman University landed the #3 spot on the list. Brandman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 143 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students list, Brandman has also earned the #1 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 Brandman are $12,540.

Read more about Special Education at Brandman

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #4 spot on the 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 CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - Northridge

#5

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Point Loma Nazarene University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. Point Loma Nazarene University is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 26 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students list, PLNU has also earned the #8 rank 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 full report on Special Education at Point Loma Nazarene University

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #6. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #11 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at CSULB

California State University - Fresno came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students list, Fresno State has also earned the #19 rank 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Fresno State Special Education Report

#16 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

CSUSM also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. 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 Special Education at California State University - San Marcos

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 62 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSB also took the #20 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 California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Special Education Report

#10

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #10, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Special Education at SFSU

#11

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 14 masters’s special ed 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSMU are $12,612, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Special Education at Mount Saint Mary’s University

#12

National University

La Jolla, California

National University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 315 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at National University, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Special Education at National University

#13

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #13, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified masters’s special ed students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Marymount, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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

#14

Biola University

La Mirada, California
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Biola University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. This medium-sized school is located in La Mirada, California, and it awarded 4 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Biola, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s special ed degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Special Education Report

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas 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 CSUDH are $17,884.

Full CSUDH Special Education Report

#24 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 18 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #24. 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 more about Special Education at California State University - East Bay

#19

Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, California

Notre Dame de Namur University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Belmont, 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 26 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree special ed students list, NDNU has also earned the #21 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 NDNU are $17,884.

Read more about Special Education at Notre Dame de Namur University

#20

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Redlands did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. Redlands, 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 32 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Redlands, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Redlands are $22,852, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Redlands Special Education Report

#21

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CLU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CLU are $20,600, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California Lutheran University Special Education Report

#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 list. ULV is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Verne, California. It awarded 8 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at ULV are $14,526, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of La Verne Special Education Report

#23

Holy Names University

Oakland, California
#25 in overall quality

Holy Names University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Holy Names University is a small school located in Oakland, California that handed out 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 HNU are $18,590.

Read full report on Special Education at HNU

#24

Alliant International University

San Diego, California

Alliant International University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. Alliant International University is a small private for-profit school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 79 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

Alliant also made our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Alliant International University are $24,615, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Alliant Special Education Report

#25

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools for a Master’s in California list. This fairly large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 10 masters’s special ed degrees in 2019-2020.

USFCA also took the #10 spot in our “Best Special Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of San Francisco Special Education Report

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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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