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2023 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $30-$48k) in California

27 Ranked Colleges
3,154 Degrees Awarded
$16,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 36,792 people earned their degree in special education, making the major the 29th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, special education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $45,679 and had an average of $24,977 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 3,154 special education graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,751 and $17,326 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in special education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent special education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the special education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Special Education (Income $30-$48k) in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 84 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Special Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $2,701 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Special Education at Cal State LA

2

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #2 spot on the list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,655 for California Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Fresno State.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Special Education at Fresno State

3

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 2 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,999 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Special Education Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 22 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $3,329 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - Dominguez Hills

5

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #5 spot on the list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Special Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $7,103 for California Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 Special Education at CSUN

6

California State University - Long Beach came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

CSULB also took the #12 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,573 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Special Education at CSULB

7

With a ranking of #7, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 49 degrees to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Special Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $6,613 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 4.0% 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 Special Education at CSUSB

8

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for California Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCLA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Special Education Report

9

With a ranking of #9, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 65 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $11,025 for California Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - East Bay

10

California State University - San Marcos ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 27 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUSM has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,348 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Special Education at CSUSM

11
Fresno Pacific crest
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fresno, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s special ed students in 2020-2021.

Fresno Pacific also took the #3 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno Pacific University is $17,827 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno Pacific University Special Education Report

12
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San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.

SFSU also made our “Best Special Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $11,862 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Francisco State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SFSU Special Education Report

13

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 9 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Special Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $13,194 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 Special Education at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

14
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California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Thousand Oaks, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Special Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California Lutheran University is $20,772 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at CLU

15
University of Redlands crest
University of Redlands
Redlands, California

University of Redlands came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Redlands, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

University of Redlands also made our “Best Special Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of Redlands is $22,360 for California Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Special Education at University of Redlands

16
NDNU crest
Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, California

Notre Dame de Namur University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Notre Dame de Namur University is located in Belmont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

NDNU also made our “Best Special Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #20.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Special Education at Notre Dame de Namur University

17
Brandman crest
Brandman University
Irvine, California

Brandman University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 103 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Brandman also took the #1 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Brandman

18
19
HNU crest
Holy Names University
Oakland, California

Holy Names University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Oakland, California, and it awarded 21 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Holy Names University is $22,005 for California Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Holy Names University

20
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Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California

Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Point Loma Nazarene University is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 19 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at PLNU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Point Loma Nazarene University is $28,033 for California Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Point Loma Nazarene University

21
USD crest
University of San Diego
San Diego, California

University of San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. University of San Diego is a medium-sized school located in San Diego, California that handed out 2 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for USD is $22,334 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 full report on Special Education at University of San Diego

22
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University of La Verne
La Verne, California

University of La Verne landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. ULV is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Verne, California. It awarded 24 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of La Verne is $29,675 for California Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Special Education at ULV

23
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, California

Biola University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Biola is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Mirada, California. It awarded 5 ’s special ed degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Biola, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $26,419 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Biola University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Special Education at Biola

24
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s special ed degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k list, USFCA has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Special Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of San Francisco is $31,994 for California Special Ed students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of San Francisco Special Education Report

25
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Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Special Ed Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Mount Saint Mary’s University is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s special ed degrees to qualified students.

MSMU also made our “Best Special Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $28,838 for california special ed students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MSMU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Special Education at MSMU

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