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2024 Best Grad Schools in California for Master's Degrees

80 Colleges
$62,974 Avg Salary

There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which grad school to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Master's Degree Colleges in California ranking is part of that endeavor.

What's on This Page: * Our Methodology

Finding Your Best Grad School Match

Our analysis looked at 80 grad schools in California to determine which ones have the best master's degree programs. Our ranking for the best grad schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.

Early-Career Salaries Are Higher

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. A master's degree holder from a school in California makes an average starting salary of $62,974, but the students who attended schools in the top 24 of our list make an average of $69,088.

Starting Salary  ( 53045 to 81612 )
$0
$101,186

Average Student Debt

Graduate students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their master's so we factor that into our rankings as well. The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.

Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology

In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Master's Degree Schools ranking. Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.

Find out more about our graduate school ranking methodology

Customizing Your List of Rankings

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
Doctorate Degrees Ranking Other Graduate Rankings
If you'd rather work on your master's degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our rankings by place. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

Thinking about continuing your education further? Check out our Best Doctorate Degree Schools ranking.

Top Master's Degree Schools in California

Learn more about these excellent grad schools below:

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California
2,203 Master's Degrees Awarded
$101,186 Average Early-Career Earnings

Our 2024 rankings named Stanford University the best grad school in California in terms of overall quality for students working on their master’s degree. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 2,203 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a master’s degree from Stanford go into careers with an average salary of $101,186 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Stanford University

2
KGI crest
Keck Graduate Institute
Claremont, California
140 Master's Degrees Awarded
$66,497 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Keck Graduate Institute. The school came in at #2 in California on this year’s best master’s degree schools ranking. KGI is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 140 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a master’s degree from KGI go into careers with an average salary of $66,497 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Keck Graduate Institute

3
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
9,128 Master's Degrees Awarded
$73,789 Average Early-Career Earnings

A rank of #3 on our Best Master’s Degree in California list means University of Southern California is a great place for students working on their degree. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 9,128 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $73,789 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Southern California

4
2,905 Master's Degrees Awarded
$67,140 Average Early-Career Earnings

A rank of #4 on our Best Master’s Degree in California list means University of California - Berkeley is a great place for students working on their degree. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 2,905 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from UC Berkeley make an average of $67,140 per year during the early years of their career.

Full University of California - Berkeley Report

5
3,137 Master's Degrees Awarded
$73,921 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 in California on this year’s best master’s degree schools ranking. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 3,137 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from UCLA make an average of $73,921 a year.

Learn More About University of California - Los Angeles

6
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California
895 Master's Degrees Awarded
$94,996 Average Early-Career Earnings

Santa Clara University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. SCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Clara, California. It awarded 895 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from SCU make an average of $94,996 a year.

Read full report on Santa Clara University

7
2,170 Master's Degrees Awarded
$79,387 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of California - San Diego came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in La Jolla, California, the large public school awarded 2,170 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from UCSD make an average of $79,387 per year during the early years of their career.

Full University of California - San Diego Report

8
Fielding crest
Fielding Graduate University
Santa Barbara, California
132 Master's Degrees Awarded

Fielding Graduate University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #8. Fielding is located in Santa Barbara, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 132 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

Learn More About Fielding Graduate University

9
Pepperdine crest
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
1,956 Master's Degrees Awarded
$58,476 Average Early-Career Earnings

Pepperdine University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in California list. Pepperdine University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Malibu, California that handed out 1,956 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a master’s degree from Pepperdine go into careers with an average salary of $58,476 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Pepperdine University

10
1,225 Master's Degrees Awarded
$86,577 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of California - Davis landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. University of California - Davis is a large public school located in Davis, California that handed out 1,225 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from UC Davis make an average of $86,577 per year during the early years of their career.

Full University of California - Davis Report

11
USU crest
United States University
San Diego, California
449 Master's Degrees Awarded
$85,412 Average Early-Career Earnings

United States University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #11. USU is located in San Diego, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 449 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from USU make an average of $85,412 a year.

Learn More About United States University

12
The Master's University crest
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, California
169 Master's Degrees Awarded
$52,813 Average Early-Career Earnings

The Master’s University and Seminary did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #12. The Master’s University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Clarita, California. It awarded 169 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from The Master’s University make an average of $52,813 per year during the early years of their career.

Learn More About The Master’s University and Seminary

13
1,609 Master's Degrees Awarded
$73,167 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of California - Irvine ranked #13 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in California list. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,609 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

Graduates with a master’s degree from UC Irvine make an average of $73,167 per year during the early years of their career.

Full University of California - Irvine Report

14
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California
720 Master's Degrees Awarded
$56,206 Average Early-Career Earnings

Loyola Marymount University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #14. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 720 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $56,206 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Loyola Marymount University

15
375 Master's Degrees Awarded
$61,398 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #15, Saint Mary’s College of California did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California list. SMC is located in Moraga, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 375 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from SMC is $61,398 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Saint Mary’s College of California

16
512 Master's Degrees Awarded
$51,972 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 512 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

Those who receive a master’s degree from UCSB go into careers with an average salary of $51,972 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of California - Santa Barbara

17
493 Master's Degrees Awarded
$85,001 Average Early-Career Earnings

Golden Gate University - San Francisco ranked #17 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in California list. Located in San Francisco, California, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 493 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $85,001 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Golden Gate University - San Francisco

18
National University crest
National University
San Diego, California
4,339 Master's Degrees Awarded
$61,388 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #18, National University did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California list. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in San Diego, California that handed out 4,339 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a master’s degree from National University go into careers with an average salary of $61,388 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on National University

19
USD crest
University of San Diego
San Diego, California
1,121 Master's Degrees Awarded
$67,518 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of San Diego landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. USD is located in San Diego, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,121 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from USD make an average of $67,518 a year.

Full University of San Diego Report

20
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California
2,909 Master's Degrees Awarded
$69,662 Average Early-Career Earnings

San Jose State University landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in San Jose, California, the large public school awarded 2,909 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $69,662 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on San Jose State University

21
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
1,634 Master's Degrees Awarded
$69,638 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of San Francisco came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 1,634 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from USFCA is $69,638 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About University of San Francisco

22
University of Redlands crest
University of Redlands
Redlands, California
979 Master's Degrees Awarded
$63,751 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #22, University of Redlands did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California list. Redlands, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 979 students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from University of Redlands make an average of $63,751 a year.

Read full report on University of Redlands

23
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
849 Master's Degrees Awarded
$42,965 Average Early-Career Earnings

Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #23. San Francisco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 849 students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,965 during the early years of their career.

Full Academy of Art University Report

24
302 Master's Degrees Awarded
$52,372 Average Early-Career Earnings

Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey is a small private not-for-profit school located in Monterey, California that handed out 302 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Middlebury Institute is $52,372 during the early years of their career.

Full Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey Report

25
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
1,556 Master's Degrees Awarded
$62,889 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #25, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in California list. San Diego State University is a large public school located in San Diego, California that handed out 1,556 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from SDSU make an average of $62,889 a year.

Full San Diego State University Report

Best Master's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region

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Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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