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2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California

41 Ranked Colleges
1,582 Degrees Awarded
$19,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for a Doctorate in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 310,601 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 24,764 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $55,134 and $37,359 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,582 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,544 and $133,402 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California” ranking, we looked at 41 colleges that offer a degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Education in California

#1

Biola University

La Mirada, California
#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Biola University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California. This medium-sized school is located in La Mirada, California, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Biola, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Biola are $11,772, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at Biola University

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #2 spot on the list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s education degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

UCSD also took the #4 spot in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631.

Full University of California - San Diego Education Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 35 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581.

Read more about Education at California State University - Fresno

#4

Brandman University

Irvine, California
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brandman University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Brandman University is a fairly large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 90 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Brandman also made our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandman University are $12,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at Brandman University

#5

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California
#25 in overall quality

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Irvine landed the #5 spot on the list. Concordia University, Irvine is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 20 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Irvine, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Irvine are $8,121.

Full Concordia University, Irvine Education Report

#6

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#9 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #6. This medium-sized school is located in Azusa, California, and it awarded 40 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Azusa Pacific University Education Report

California State University - Northridge came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at CSUN

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 40 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree education students list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at Cal State Fullerton

California State University - Long Beach landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 34 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at California State University - Long Beach

#10

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at CSUSB

#11

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#24 in overall quality

San Francisco State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Read more about Education at San Francisco State University

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#19 in overall quality

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #12. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 40 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s education students in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658.

Full SDSU Education Report

#13

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Loyola Marymount University is a medium-sized school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 21 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount University are $19,756.

Read more about Education at Loyola Marymount

#14

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#11 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 62 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at UCLA

#15

Northcentral University

San Diego, California
#18 in overall quality

Northcentral University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California list. This fairly large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 337 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Northcentral University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northcentral University are $18,095, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northcentral University Education Report

#16

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s education degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at UC Berkeley

#16 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 doctorate’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at UC Davis

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 18 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State LA Education Report

#20 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s education degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree education students list, UC Irvine has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Irvine Education Report

#20

University of La Verne

La Verne, California
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of La Verne did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California list. University of La Verne is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Verne, California. It awarded 31 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

ULV did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Education Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at ULV are $14,526, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at ULV

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #21. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 20 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828.

Read more about Education at California State University - East Bay

With a ranking of #22, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California list. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at California State University - Stanislaus

California State University - Sacramento came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 11 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Sac State Education Report

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s education students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377.

Read full report on Education at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #25. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 7 doctorate’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437.

Read full report on Education at CSUB

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

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