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2025 Best General Education Schools in California

25 Colleges in California
6,471 Education Degrees Awarded
$55,624 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in general education is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #41 out of 395 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

College Factual reviewed 25 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of general education. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 6,471 degrees in general education annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Education School

Best General Education Schools in California The education program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Education rankings. For our Best Overall General Education School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

General Education Rankings by Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Education
Master's Degrees in Education
Doctor's Degrees in Education

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Education Schools in California list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

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.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for General Education in California

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the education degree levels they offer.

10 Top California Schools in Education

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Education Degrees Awarded
$65,954 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat Azusa Pacific University if you want to pursue a degree in general education. Located in the large suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #143 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Azusa Pacific is a great university overall.

There were about 55 general education students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific in the most recent year we have data available. General Education degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University receive an earnings boost of approximately $10,331 above the average earnings of general education majors.

More information about a degree in general education from Azusa Pacific University

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
251 Education Degrees Awarded
$26,106 Median Starting Salary

University of California - Irvine is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in general education. Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #73 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Irvine is a great university overall.

There were approximately 251 general education students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients typically earn around $26,106 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in general education from University of California - Irvine

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Masters Degree Type
MEd in Curriculum & Instruction Program Name

Enhance your career as a teacher or administrator or prepare to advance to a leadership position within your school with this specialized online MEd from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in MEd in Curriculum & Instruction from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
944 Education Degrees Awarded
$62,683 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat National University if you wish to pursue a degree in general education. National University is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of San Diego. A Best Colleges rank of #249 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means National University is a great university overall.

There were approximately 944 general education students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent data year. Those general education students who get their degree from National University receive $7,059 more than the typical education grad.

More information about a degree in general education from National University

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
65 Education Degrees Awarded
9.2% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in general education needs to take a look at Chapman University. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #172 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Chapman is a great university overall.

There were approximately 65 general education students who graduated with this degree at Chapman in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, education degree recipients typically earn around $37,928 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in general education from Chapman University

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
117 Education Degrees Awarded
$61,550 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of San Diego, PLNU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #420 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means PLNU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 117 general education students who graduated with this degree at PLNU in the most recent year we have data available. Those general education students who get their degree from Point Loma Nazarene University make $5,926 more than the standard education student.

More information about a degree in general education from Point Loma Nazarene University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
65 Education Degrees Awarded
$57,486 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Fresno, Fresno State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 81st out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 65 general education students who graduated with this degree at Fresno State in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients usually earn around $57,486 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in general education from California State University - Fresno

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
245 Education Degrees Awarded
40.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #185 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SDSU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 245 general education students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general education degree program at San Diego State University earn $38,284 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general education from San Diego State University

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MS in Higher Education Administration Program Name

Learn how strategic leadership, data-driven resource management and a culture centered on student success can enhance colleges and universities with this online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in MS in Higher Education Administration from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
122 Education Degrees Awarded
$61,108 Median Starting Salary

UCR is a fairly large public university located in the city of Riverside. A Best Colleges rank of #219 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCR is a great university overall.

There were roughly 122 general education students who graduated with this degree at UCR in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general education program at University of California - Riverside earn $5,484 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general education from University of California - Riverside

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
215 Education Degrees Awarded
$67,260 Median Starting Salary

Cal Baptist is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Riverside. This university ranks 66th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 215 general education students who graduated with this degree at Cal Baptist in the most recent data year. General Education degree recipients from California Baptist University get an earnings boost of approximately $11,636 over the typical earnings of general education majors.

More information about a degree in general education from California Baptist University

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In CA
239 Education Degrees Awarded

Cal State Fullerton is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Fullerton. A Best Colleges rank of #271 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cal State Fullerton is a great university overall.

There were approximately 239 general education students who graduated with this degree at Cal State Fullerton in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general education from California State University - Fullerton

Best General Education Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best General Education Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 300 728
Oregon 266 748
Nevada 192 36
Hawaii 164 64
Alaska 119 26

View All Rankings >

One of 14 majors within the Education area of study, General Education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Education Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Education 6,471

View All Education Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Education

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 7,908
Special Education 2,932
Educational Administration 2,634
Student Counseling 2,005
Teacher Education Subject Specific 1,328
Instructional Media Design 662
Other Education 476
Curriculum & Instruction 405
Teaching English or French 377
Education Philosophy 328

View All Education Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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