2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in California
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools in California. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,542. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $47,473. That is a strong return on a $14,542 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of Redlands, which ranked #3. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,878. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,175. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $59,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of La Verne, which ranked #4. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,470. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ashford University earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $34,575. Secondary Education graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Irvine came in at #6 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $58,590. Set against $26,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California Baptist University placed #7 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
National University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Students borrow a median of $33,989 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $69,080. Set against $33,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #9 for value in secondary education this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $52,216. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmont College came in at #10 for value in secondary education this year. Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,584. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,773 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westmont College admits about 77% of applicants.
Chapman University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,984. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $59,689. That is a strong return on a $21,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Santa Clara University placed #12 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $68,067. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
