California · Education

Best colleges for Education in California

Ranked by graduate earnings

California State University - Channel Islands, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona and Sonoma State University are the top bachelor's Education programs in California by graduate earnings. California State University - Channel Islands leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,646, College Scorecard. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, Sonoma State University and California State University - Channel Islands award the most Education degrees in California: 100, 74 and 65 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 California colleges offer Education and award 371 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Education program, specifically categorized as 'Education, Other', focuses on instructional content that encompasses a variety of teaching methodologies and educational theories. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about…

Institutions
16
offering CIP 13.99
States offered
46
with a program page
Degrees / yr
371
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$31,250
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$26,873
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Education Teachers, Postsecondary
$113,870
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1California State University - Channel Islands
Camarillo Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,6466551%—$14,000
2California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,25010068%—$12,200
3Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,0957458%—$17,305

Colleges awarding the most Education degrees in California

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona Public
100$31,250
2Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park Public
74$31,095
3California State University - Channel Islands
Camarillo Public
65$34,646
4Berkeley City College
Berkeley Public
28Not reported
5Foothill College
Los Altos Hills Public
23Not reported
6University of Southern California
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit
19Not reported
7University of San Diego
San Diego Private not-for-profit
18Not reported
8Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
9Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
Monterey Private not-for-profit
12Not reported
10California State University - Northridge
Northridge Public
4Not reported
Show the other 6 California colleges offering Education
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Rio Hondo CollegeWhittierPublic4
University of California-San DiegoLa JollaPublic2
Ohlone CollegeFremontPublic2
California Prestige UniversitySanta Fe SpringsPrivate not-for-profit2
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyPublic1
Coastline Community College (Online)Fountain ValleyPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Education Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1081).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.1%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~5,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$72,090
typically Doctoral or professional degree

Top skills

SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningLearning StrategiesActive LearningWriting

What Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn in California

Jobs in California
3,100
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$113,870
median $111,850
Best-paying metro
$130,400
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Related careers

Teachers and Instructors, All Other
$90,580 avg · 31,010 jobs
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
$113,870 avg · 3,100 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Education programs in California.

Which California colleges award the most Education degrees?+

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona (100 graduates a year), Sonoma State University (74 graduates a year) and California State University - Channel Islands (65 graduates a year) award the most Education degrees in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 California colleges offer Education.

What is the best college for Education in California?+

By graduate earnings, California State University - Channel Islands leads among bachelor's Education programs in California, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,646, College Scorecard. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona and Sonoma State University follow. By degrees awarded, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is the largest, with 100 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Education program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, California State University - Channel Islands tops the list at $34,646. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Education Teachers, Postsecondary in California is $113,870 (median $111,850), across about 3,100 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Education program?+

The Education program, specifically categorized as 'Education, Other', focuses on instructional content that encompasses a variety of teaching methodologies and educational theories. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, reading comprehension, active listening, learning strategies, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Education Teachers, Postsecondary?+

The national job outlook is about +2.1% growth with around 5,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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