Rankings / By State
Best Education Colleges in California
- 28
- Schools
- $59,294
- Avg. Earnings
- 54%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,456
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,267
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 28 schools run from $36,657 to $72,379, a 2.0× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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California State University-Los Angeles delivers the most for the money: roughly $59,211 in median earnings against $3,967 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, California State University-Los Angeles ($3,967 net price), still posts $59,211 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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University of California-Riverside graduates 76% of its students, versus a 54% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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California State University-Stanislaus carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.21× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Fresno Pacific University ($58,896 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Mount Saint Mary's University ($72,379), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- California State University-Los Angeles costs $3,967 a year and Point Loma Nazarene University costs $38,729. Yet their graduates earn $59,211 and $63,998, nowhere near the $34,762 price gap.
- On value, California State University-Los Angeles beats Mount Saint Mary's University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with California State University-Los Angeles and University of California-Riverside. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $62K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Fresno Pacific University #1 overall | $58,896 ▼ -1% vs avg | $13,630 | 53% | 82 |
| 2 San Francisco State University #2 overall | $68,077 ▲ +15% vs avg | $12,278 | 50% | 74 |
| 3 Sonoma State University #3 overall | $65,986 ▲ +11% vs avg | $12,885 | 59% | 74 |
| $59,541 ▲ +0% vs avg | $21,241 | 56% | 72 | |
| $65,464 ▲ +10% vs avg | $20,161 | 64% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Education Colleges in California
This analysis ranks 28 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $59,294 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 54% and an average net price of $16,456.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: California State University-Los Angeles — Net Price: $3,967 | Graduation Rate: 53%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of California-Riverside — 76% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Mount Saint Mary's University — Median alumni earnings: $72,379
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Educator Pipeline Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the educator pipeline?
$61,504
Median earnings (10yr)
54%
Median graduation rate
$13,258
Median net price
2.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Education programs feed a workforce defined by paradox: chronic teacher shortages and high social value on one side, modest pay and high attrition on the other. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The programs that matter most reliably move graduates into classrooms and keep them there.
Across the 28 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $61,504 ten years after they first enrolled, about $13,504 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 54%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $13,258 a year, with about $18,125 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 42% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.0%.
What we’re seeing: districts compete hard for credentialed teachers, but the pay ceiling makes affordability decisive. With median earnings near $61,504 and a typical net price of $13,258, value in this field is driven as much by low cost as by salary.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Fresno Pacific University lands at #1 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,896 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,630 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
San Francisco State University lands at #2 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $68,077 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,278 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Sonoma State University lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $65,986 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,885 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Costa Mesa, CA · 62% accepted · $21,241 net
Why it ranks #4
Vanguard University of Southern California lands at #4 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $59,541 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,241 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of La Verne lands at #5 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $65,464 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,161 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Point Loma Nazarene University lands at #6 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $63,998 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,729 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Biola University lands at #7 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $56,778 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,495 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Westmont College lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $64,778 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,053 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
California State University-Fullerton lands at #9 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $62,951 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,555 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of California-Riverside lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by social mobility (66/100). Graduates earn a median $67,699 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,304 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
California State University-Stanislaus lands at #11 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (65/100). Graduates earn a median $63,188 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,067 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
California Baptist University lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $61,504 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,285 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Sacramento, CA · 94% accepted · $9,338 net
Why it ranks #13
California State University-Sacramento lands at #13 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $64,876 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,338 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Los Angeles, CA · 91% accepted · $3,967 net
Why it ranks #14
California State University-Los Angeles lands at #14 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $59,211 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,967 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Mount Saint Mary's University lands at #15 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $72,379 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,413 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
National University lands at #16 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $67,548 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,878 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Carson, CA · 93% accepted · $8,615 net
Why it ranks #17
California State University-Dominguez Hills lands at #17 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,162 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,615 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Northridge, CA · 93% accepted · $7,021 net
Why it ranks #18
California State University-Northridge lands at #18 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $59,115 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,021 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Camarillo, CA · 95% accepted · $9,849 net
Why it ranks #19
California State University-Channel Islands lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $62,152 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,849 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Bakersfield, CA · 94% accepted · $5,652 net
Why it ranks #20
California State University-Bakersfield lands at #20 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $59,009 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,652 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
San Marcos, CA · 95% accepted · $10,229 net
Why it ranks #21
California State University-San Marcos lands at #21 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $62,908 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,229 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Lake Tahoe Community College lands at #22 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $36,657 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,516 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
William Jessup University lands at #23 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $56,257 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,062 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Evergreen Valley College lands at #24 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $53,077 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,414 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Hope International University lands at #25 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $49,697 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,310 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Touro University Worldwide lands at #26 with a 51/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $40,803 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,058 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Berkeley City College lands at #27 with a 41/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by social mobility (17/100). Graduates earn a median $41,217 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,096 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Los Angeles Pacific University lands at #28 with a 36/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (53/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Net price runs $22,677 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 28 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Education colleges in California attract students eager to shape future generations. These programs not only prepare students for teaching roles but also offer diverse pathways into education-related fields. For many families, this decision weighs heavily on factors like cost, graduation rates, and potential earnings after graduation.
The schools listed here stand out based on key outcomes such as earnings, graduation rates, and debt levels. For example, the average earnings for graduates from these programs is $59,462, while the average graduation rate is 55%. Understanding these metrics helps prospective students and their families evaluate which programs may lead to a more secure financial future.
Consider the University of California-Irvine, with an impressive average earning of $80,735 and an 86% graduation rate. In contrast, California State University-Los Angeles graduates earn $59,211 with a 53% graduation rate. The disparity in earnings and graduation success illustrates the importance of choosing a program that aligns with individual aspirations and financial goals.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 12 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2%. Fresno Pacific University leads the group at 3.7%, with University of La Verne (3.6%) and San Francisco State University (3.5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. National University leads at 30.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 27.2% across this list. Point Loma Nazarene University posts the highest success rate at 42.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.68 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Westmont College reaches 1.88, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing education colleges in California, a noticeable pattern emerges. The University of California-Irvine significantly outperforms California State University-Sacramento, with graduates earning $80,735 compared to $64,876. This difference in earnings reflects not only the quality of the program but also the potential financial return on investment.
For students and families navigating these options, it’s essential to weigh the data against personal priorities. Consider location, campus culture, and specific program strengths. This data provides a foundation, but each student’s individual needs and aspirations should guide their final choice.
Ultimately, this data highlights the critical role education plays in achieving stability and success. Choosing the right college can set a family on a path toward a secure future, making this decision even more impactful. With the right information, we can make informed choices that align with our financial and educational goals.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Education Colleges in California: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Education Colleges in California ranking? +
Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, CA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Education Colleges in California ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $58,896 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 53% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Mount Saint Mary's University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $72,379 ten years after enrollment, well above the $59,294 average across the 27 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, California State University-Los Angeles leads: graduates earn a median $59,211 against net price of about $3,967 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of California-Riverside has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 76%, compared with a 54% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,456 a year across the 28 ranked schools with cost data. California State University-Los Angeles is among the most affordable at roughly $3,967. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Education Colleges in California ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 28 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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