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# Best Education Colleges in California (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Programs in this field[Teacher Education](/rankings/best-teacher-education-colleges-in-california/)

This page ranks the 27 schools in California that offer Education by median earnings of Education graduates four years after completing. [California State University-Sacramento](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/majors/) leads the list at $82,062, followed by [University of the Pacific](/school/university-of-the-pacific/majors/) at $69,342 and [Chapman University](/school/chapman-university/majors/) at $64,917.

Across the 22 schools with a published figure, median earnings reach $52,354 and span from $82,062 to $24,035, a spread of $58,027.

Public institutions account for 16 of the 27 schools and 59% of the list. California State University-Los Angeles ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price at $3,967.

University of California-Irvine reports the highest six-year completion rate, graduating 87% of its students within six years.

## The ranked list

27 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Education Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $82,062 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
|  | [California State University-Sacramento](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/majors/) reports [$82,062 in median earnings](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/outcomes/) of Education graduates four years after completing and ranks 10th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (436 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (30 graduates) |
| 2 | University of the Pacific · Stockton, CA | $69,342 | $25,447 | $17,004 | 71.3% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Stockton, [University of the Pacific](/school/university-of-the-pacific/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 69%](/school/university-of-the-pacific/outcomes/) alongside median earnings of $69,342 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (13 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (11 graduates) |
| 3 | Chapman University · Orange, CA | $64,917 | $46,555 | $33,559 | 65.4% |
|  | [Chapman University](/school/chapman-university/majors/) [admits 65% of applicants](/school/chapman-university/admissions/) and its Education graduates earn a median of $64,917 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (65 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Education, General ($64,917) |
| 4 | Fresno Pacific University · Fresno, CA | $60,711 | $13,630 | $11,133 | 64.1% |
|  | With an [average net price of $13,630,](/school/fresno-pacific-university/cost/) [Fresno Pacific University](/school/fresno-pacific-university/majors/) reports median earnings of $60,711 for its Education graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (109 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (86 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($60,338) |
| 5 | Vanguard University of Southern California · Costa Mesa, CA | No published median | $21,241 | $17,225 | 62.4% |
|  | [Vanguard University of Southern California](/school/vanguard-university-of-southern-california/majors/) ranks 5th on this list and carries an [average net price of $17,225](/school/vanguard-university-of-southern-california/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (24 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (5 graduates) |
| 6 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $59,993 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
|  | [San Francisco State University](/school/san-francisco-state-university/majors/) reports [$59,993 in median earnings](/school/san-francisco-state-university/outcomes/) of Education graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $9,341 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (258 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($59,993) |
| 7 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $58,138 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
|  | [California State University-Fresno](/school/california-state-university-fresno/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 57%](/school/california-state-university-fresno/outcomes/) and median earnings of $58,138 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (71 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($62,475), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($45,819) |
| 8 | University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA | $57,847 | $14,304 | $8,852 | 76.4% |
|  | [University of California-Riverside](/school/university-of-california-riverside/majors/) [admits 76% of applicants](/school/university-of-california-riverside/admissions/) and its Education graduates earn a median of $57,847 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education (192 graduates) |
| 9 | Point Loma Nazarene University · San Diego, CA | $56,198 | $38,729 | $30,999 | 83.7% |
|  | [Point Loma Nazarene University](/school/point-loma-nazarene-university/majors/) reports [$56,198 in median earnings](/school/point-loma-nazarene-university/outcomes/) of Education graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $30,999 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (59 graduates) |
| 10 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $55,543 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
|  | [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/majors/) [admits 31% of applicants](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/admissions/) and its Education graduates earn a median of $55,543 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($55,543) |
| 11 | University of La Verne · La Verne, CA | $54,898 | $20,161 | $20,151 | 71.2% |
|  | [University of La Verne](/school/university-of-la-verne/majors/) reports [$54,898 in median earnings](/school/university-of-la-verne/outcomes/) of Education graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $20,151 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (102 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (93 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($54,898) |
| 12 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | No published median | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
|  | With an [average net price of $8,123](/school/university-of-california-irvine/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, [University of California-Irvine](/school/university-of-california-irvine/majors/) ranks 12th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (251 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Education, General ($54,356) |
| 13 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $52,842 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
|  | [Sonoma State University](/school/sonoma-state-university/majors/) reports [$52,842 in median earnings](/school/sonoma-state-university/outcomes/) for its Education graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 58%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, Other (130 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Education, Other ($52,842) |
| 14 | Pacific Oaks College · Pasadena, CA | $51,865 | Not reported | Not reported | 34.4% |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Pasadena, [Pacific Oaks College](/school/pacific-oaks-college/majors/) [admits 34% of applicants](/school/pacific-oaks-college/admissions/) and ranks 471st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (61 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($51,865) |
| 15 | Biola University · La Mirada, CA | $51,566 | $31,495 | $27,144 | 74.4% |
|  | [Biola University](/school/biola-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $31,495](/school/biola-university/cost/) and a six-year completion rate of 68%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (36 graduates), Education, General (9 graduates) |
| 16 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $51,445 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 55%](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/outcomes/), [California State University-San Marcos](/school/california-state-university-san-marcos/majors/) ranks 59th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (118 graduates) |
| 17 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $50,444 | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
|  | [California State University-Los Angeles](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/majors/) holds the lowest average net price on this list at $3,967 and [ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (391 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($50,444) |
| 18 | William Jessup University · Rocklin, CA | $49,540 | $28,062 | $23,123 | 93.3% |
|  | William Jessup University reports $49,540 in median earnings for its Education graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 93%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($49,540) |
| 19 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | $49,106 | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
|  | A public university in Camarillo, [California State University-Channel Islands](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/majors/) shows an [average net price of $9,849](/school/california-state-university-channel-islands/cost/) and a six-year completion rate of 51%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, Other (78 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Education, Other ($49,106) |
| 20 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $48,471 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
|  | [San Diego State University](/school/san-diego-state-university/majors/) [admits 36% of applicants](/school/san-diego-state-university/admissions/) and reports $48,471 in median earnings for its Education graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (142 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($48,471) |
| 21 | Hope International University · Fullerton, CA | $45,971 | $29,310 | $27,991 | 33.0% |
|  | Hope International University posts an average net price of $29,310 and a six-year completion rate of 49%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (14 graduates) |
| 22 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | $44,654 | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% |
|  | [California State University-Dominguez Hills](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/majors/) reports a [six-year completion rate of 43%](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/outcomes/) and ranks 46th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (243 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,654) |
| 23 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $44,020 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
|  | An [average net price of $6,067](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/cost/) and an admission rate of 98% are reported by [California State University-Stanislaus](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/majors/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (84 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,020) |
| 24 | California Baptist University · Riverside, CA | No published median | $26,285 | $22,298 | 84.9% |
|  | [California Baptist University](/school/california-baptist-university/majors/) shows a [six-year completion rate of 62%](/school/california-baptist-university/outcomes/) and an average net price of $22,298 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (84 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,749) |
| 25 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | No published median | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 68%](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/outcomes/), [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/majors/) admits 75% of applicants to its Education programs. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, Other (113 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (48 graduates) |
| 26 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | No published median | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
|  | [California State University-Fullerton](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/majors/) reports an [average net price of $6,555,](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/cost/) and its six-year completion rate is 70%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (530 graduates) |
| 27 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $24,035 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
|  | Graduates of [California State University-San Bernardino](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/majors/) reported [median earnings of $24,035](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/outcomes/) two years after completing, and the school ranks 43rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (9 graduates) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Education graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Education earnings cohort in California appear. The figure reflects federally aided Education graduates who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 1 of the 27 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 22 schools with a published figure. California State University-Sacramento leads University of the Pacific by $12,720, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $58,027.

## Job market context in California

The occupations linked to Education in California include roles such as Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other. Across those occupations, the median annual wage is $89,907, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $67,415. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 3.9% higher, with about 1,182 openings a year for every hundred graduates, more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, not the broader occupational wage figures, so the two are not the same measure.

## Related rankings

-   Education Colleges
-   [Best Colleges in California](/rankings/best-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Teacher Education Colleges in Florida](/rankings/best-teacher-education-colleges-in-florida/)
-   [Best Teacher Education Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-teacher-education-colleges-in-texas/)
-   [Best Teacher Education Colleges in Minnesota](/rankings/best-teacher-education-colleges-in-minnesota/)
-   [Best Education Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-education-colleges-in-texas/)
-   Education Colleges in California for Social Mobility
-   Teacher Education Colleges in California for Social Mobility