2023 Best Value Colleges for Education in California (With Aid)
55
Ranked Colleges
26,792
Degrees Awarded
$11,800
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college 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 Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
With 327,871 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 26,792 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,949 and $23,652 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 55 colleges that offer a degree in education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Education Schools
The education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for california education students with aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education in California (With Aid)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 829 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,302 for california education students with aid per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State LA Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 146 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $12,894 for california education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on Education at Stanford University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 982 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also took the #25 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for california education students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.
Read more about Education at Cal State Fullerton
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 534 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for California Education students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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 Education at Fresno State
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Bakersfield. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 311 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,454 for California Education students with aid per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.
Read more about Education at California State University - Bakersfield
California State University - Northridge came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 713 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $8,523 for california education students with aid.
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%.
Read more about Education at CSUN
California State University - Sacramento ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 843 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students with aid list, Sac State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for California Education students with aid.
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%.
Full California State University - Sacramento Education Report
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 457 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $4,026 for California Education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 Education at CSUDH
With a ranking of #9, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 225 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,107 for california education students with aid per year to attend CSUSB.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full California State University - San Bernardino Education Report
University of California - San Diego landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 132 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #7 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $15,240 for California Education students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full University of California - San Diego Education Report
University of California - Los Angeles landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 265 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $15,023 for california education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Full UCLA Education Report
University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 656 students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $12,209 for California Education students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Education at University of California - Irvine
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 348 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students with aid list, UCR has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $11,822 for california education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCR Education Report
California State University - Long Beach ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 222 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for california education students with aid.
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 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%.
Full CSULB Education Report
California State University - Stanislaus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 186 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $6,566 for california education students with aid per year to attend Stan State.
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%. 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 California State University - Stanislaus Education Report
University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 107 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #3 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $17,930 for California Education students with aid.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Education at University of California - Santa Cruz
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 630 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
SDSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for California Education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Education at SDSU
University of California - Davis came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 131 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students with aid list, UC Davis has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $15,768 for california education students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Full University of California - Davis Education Report
San Jose State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 574 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,542 for california education students with aid per year to attend San Jose State.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Education at San Jose State
With a ranking of #20, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 301 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,298 for California Education students with aid per year to attend California State University - East Bay.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.
Read full report on Education at California State University - East Bay
San Francisco State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 565 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,459 for California Education students with aid per year to attend SFSU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 SFSU Education Report
University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 118 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $16,032 for California Education students with aid.
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 University of California - Berkeley Education Report
California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 221 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,218 for california education students with aid per year to attend CSUSM.
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%.
Read more about Education at California State University - San Marcos
Fresno Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 195 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno Pacific, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Fresno Pacific University is $19,029 for california education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.
Read full report on Education at Fresno Pacific
California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Seaside, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 94 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Monterey Bay is $13,597 for California Education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Education at California State University - Monterey Bay
