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2024 Best Value Colleges for English in California

43 Ranked Colleges
6,724 Degrees Awarded
$13,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value English Language Schools in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value English Language Schools in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

English is the 19th most popular major in the country with 40,481 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across California, there were 6,724 english graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value English Language Schools in California” ranking analyzed 43 colleges that offered a degree in english. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent english programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the english program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank English Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More English Language Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value English Language Schools in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value English Language Schools in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california english language students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for English in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value English Language Schools in California. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 312 ’s english language degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best English Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $15,023 for california english language students per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on English at University of California - Los Angeles

2

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value English Language Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #2 spot on the list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 284 ’s english language degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also took the #15 spot in our “Best English Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,054 for california english language students per year to attend CSULB.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about English at CSULB

3

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value English Language Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 204 ’s english language degrees to qualified students.

CSUN also made our “Best English Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $8,523 for california english language students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUN English Report

4

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value English Language Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 254 ’s english language degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best English Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for california english language students.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Berkeley English Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 90 ’s english language degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best English Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $20,677 for California English Language students per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo English Report

6

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value English Language Schools in California list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 176 ’s english language degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california english language students list, UCSB has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best English Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,252 for California English Language students per year to attend UCSB.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English at University of California - Santa Barbara

7
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s english language degrees to 205 students in 2020-2021.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best English Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,459 for California English Language students per year to attend San Francisco State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English at SFSU

8

University of California - Davis landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 206 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california english language students list, UC Davis has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best English Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,768 for California English Language students per year to attend University of California - Davis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on English at UC Davis

9

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California list. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 152 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best English Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,209 for california english language students per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on English at UC Irvine

10

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking, coming in at #10. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s english language degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california english language students list, UCSD has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best English Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,240 for California English Language students per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about English at University of California - San Diego

11
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #11, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 112 degrees to qualified ’s english language students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best English Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $16,542 for california english language students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English at San Jose State University

12

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value English Language Schools in California list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school handed out 85 diplomas to qualified ’s english language students in 2020-2021.

Stan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best English Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for California English Language students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Stan State English Report

13

California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 181 ’s english language degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california english language students list, Sac State has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best English Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for California English Language students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about English at Sac State

14

California State University - Fresno came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school handed out 83 degrees to qualified ’s english language students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for California English Language students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on English at California State University - Fresno

15

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking, coming in at #15. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 180 ’s english language degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best English Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $8,003 for California English Language students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Cal State Fullerton English Report

16
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s english language degrees to 98 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best English Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $13,845 for California English Language students.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English at SDSU

17

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking, coming in at #17. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 81 ’s english language degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for california english language students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full California State University - San Marcos English Report

18

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 189 diplomas to qualified ’s english language students in 2020-2021.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best English Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,822 for California English Language students per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English at UCR

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California list. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 74 ’s english language degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,218 for California English Language students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English at Chico State

20
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, California

National University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s english language degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

National University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best English Schools in California” list. It costs about $20,722 for California English Language students per year to attend National University.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English at National University

21

California State University - East Bay came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 68 ’s english language degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,298 for California English Language students per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State East Bay English Report

22

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value English Language Schools in California list. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 95 ’s english language degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $8,107 for California English Language students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - San Bernardino English Report

23

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school awarded 115 degrees to qualified ’s english language students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for California English Language students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about English at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

24
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University landed the #24 spot on the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking. Sonoma State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Rohnert Park, California. It awarded 87 ’s english language degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SSU is $17,563 for california english language students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SSU English Report

25

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language Schools in California ranking, coming in at #25. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 101 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,302 for California English Language students per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about English at California State University - Los Angeles

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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