2025 Best Special Education Schools in California
10
Colleges in California
2,932
Special Ed Degrees Awarded
$52,862
Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #29 in popularity,
special education is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.
College Factual looked at 10 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Special Education Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 2,932 degrees in special education annually.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Special Education School
The special ed program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Special Education rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for special education schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each 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.
Special Education Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Special Education Schools in California list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
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.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for Special Education in California
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the special ed degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top California Schools in Special Ed
It is difficult to beat California State University - Los Angeles if you want to pursue a degree in special education. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, Cal State LA is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 87th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were about 87 special education students who graduated with this degree at Cal State LA in the most recent data year. Those special education students who get their degree from California State University - Los Angeles make $31,121 more than the typical special ed graduate.
More information about a degree in special education from California State University - Los Angeles
National University is a good option for students interested in a degree in special 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 colleges nationwide means National University is a great university overall.
There were approximately 364 special education students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent year we have data available. Those special education students who get their degree from National University receive $17,810 more than the typical special ed student.
More information about a degree in special education from National University
Point Loma Nazarene University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in special education. Located in the large city of San Diego, PLNU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 58th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 20 special education students who graduated with this degree at PLNU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the special education program at Point Loma Nazarene University make $20,565 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in special education from Point Loma Nazarene University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
17th
Most Popular In CA
35
Special Ed Degrees Awarded
It is difficult to beat California State University - San Bernardino if you wish to pursue a degree in special education. CSUSB is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of San Bernardino. This university ranks 82nd out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 35 special education students who graduated with this degree at CSUSB in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in special education from California State University - San Bernardino
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
20th
Most Popular In CA
51
Special Ed Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 81st out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 51 special education students who graduated with this degree at Fresno State in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in special education from California State University - Fresno
Cal State Fullerton is a very large public university located in the suburb of Fullerton. A Best Colleges rank of #271 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Cal State Fullerton is a great university overall.
Those special education students who get their degree from California State University - Fullerton receive $26,522 more than the typical special ed grad.
More information about a degree in special education from California State University - Fullerton
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
5th
Most Popular In CA
116
Special Ed Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Irvine, Brandman is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #409 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Brandman is a great university overall.
There were approximately 116 special education students who graduated with this degree at Brandman in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in special education from Brandman University
Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #225 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SFSU is a great university overall.
There were about 64 special education students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent year we have data available. Those special education students who get their degree from San Francisco State University make $16,730 more than the typical special ed graduate.
More information about a degree in special education from San Francisco State University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
29th
Most Popular In CA
Located in the large suburb of San Marcos, CSUSM is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 65th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 15 special education students who graduated with this degree at CSUSM in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in special education from California State University - San Marcos
Located in the large city of San Diego, UAGC is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #393 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UAGC is a great university overall.
There were approximately 115 special education students who graduated with this degree at UAGC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the special ed program report average early career income of $41,048.
More information about a degree in special education from The University of Arizona Global Campus
