Best colleges for Special Education and Teaching in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
National University, East Los Angeles College and Pasadena City College award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in California: 402, 182 and 130 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 94 California colleges offer Special Education and Teaching and award 3,260 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Special Education and Teaching program prepares students to work with individuals who have a range of disabilities and special needs. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students…
Top institution, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,783 | 29 | 56% | — | $16,750 |
Colleges awarding the most Special Education and Teaching degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National University San Diego Private not-for-profit | 402 | Not reported |
| 2 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park Public | 182 | Not reported |
| 3 | Pasadena City College Pasadena Public | 130 | Not reported |
| 4 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco Public | 114 | Not reported |
| 5 | Moorpark College Moorpark Public | 87 | Not reported |
| 6 | Fullerton College Fullerton Public | 78 | Not reported |
| 7 | Mt San Jacinto Community College District San Jacinto Public | 74 | Not reported |
| 8 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles Public | 68 | Not reported |
| 9 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen Public | 61 | Not reported |
| 10 | College of the Sequoias Visalia Public | 61 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 84 California colleges offering Special Education and Teaching
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Special Education Teachers, Preschool (SOC 25-2051).
Top skills
What Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Special Education and Teaching programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees?+
National University (402 graduates a year), East Los Angeles College (182 graduates a year) and Pasadena City College (130 graduates a year) award the most Special Education and Teaching degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 94 California colleges offer Special Education and Teaching.
Which Special Education and Teaching program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, California State University - Sacramento tops the list at $33,783. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California is $69,930 (median $59,550), across about 2,510 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Special Education and Teaching program?+
The Special Education and Teaching program prepares students to work with individuals who have a range of disabilities and special needs. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Special Education Teachers, Preschool?+
The national job outlook is about +1.4% growth with around 2,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's 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.
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