2026 Best Teaching Schools in California
Looking for the best Teaching degree programs in California? Our ranking highlights 668 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search evaluated 469 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Teaching Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Claremont Graduate University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in California. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
The strong Teaching programs at Stanford University earned it the #2 place in California. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical Teaching student debt is $10,492. Read the full report on Stanford University
Out of the 469 schools in California in this year's ranking, University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #3 spot. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $18,559. Read more about University Of California Santa Cruz
Out of the 469 schools in California in this year's ranking, Santa Clara University landed the #4 spot. Located in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. The median Teaching program debt is $20,144. Read more about Santa Clara University
The strong Teaching programs at Concordia University Irvine earned it the #5 place in California. Located in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Irvine graduates 58% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,085. See the full Concordia University Irvine profile
Fresno Pacific University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,660. The median Teaching program debt is $24,596. Read the full report on Fresno Pacific University
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #7 spot in California this year. Set in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,540. Graduates carry a median of $27,471 in student loans. More on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
University Of Redlands came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Redlands, CA. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Get the full University Of Redlands report
Saint Marys College Of California landed the #9 spot in California this year. Set in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,803. The median Teaching program debt is $25,041. Read the full report on Saint Marys College Of California
University Of California Berkeley landed the #10 spot in California this year. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
California Lutheran University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school based in Thousand Oaks, CA. California Lutheran University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,560. Graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. More on California Lutheran University
Loyola Marymount University landed the #12 spot in California this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $22,248. Read more about Loyola Marymount University
California State University Sacramento came in at #13 in this year's ranking. California State University Sacramento is a public school based in Sacramento, CA. About 56% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Get the full California State University Sacramento report
Point Loma Nazarene University did well this year, earning the #14 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. Point Loma Nazarene University Teaching students take on a median of $22,542 in debt. More on Point Loma Nazarene University
University Of Southern California landed the #15 spot in California this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $15,625. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles placed #16 among Teaching schools in California. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. The median Teaching program debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Jose State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Read the full report on San Jose State University
Notre Dame De Namur University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Notre Dame De Namur University is a private not-for-profit school based in Belmont, CA. About 7% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,792 in tuition and fees. Notre Dame De Namur University Teaching students take on a median of $26,524 in debt. See the full Notre Dame De Namur University profile
California State University San Bernardino did well this year, earning the #20 position. California State University San Bernardino is a public school based in San Bernardino, CA. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $15,149. Get the full California State University San Bernardino report
California State University Long Beach placed #21 among Teaching schools in California. Based in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $15,671. Read more about California State University Long Beach
California State University Fullerton placed #22 among Teaching schools in California. This public school is set in Fullerton, CA. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Get the full California State University Fullerton report
Dominican University Of California placed #23 among Teaching schools in California. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Rafael, CA. Dominican University Of California posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,161. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Dominican University Of California
University Of The Pacific landed the #24 spot in California this year. Based in Stockton, CA, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about University Of The Pacific
National University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. National University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. National University Teaching students take on a median of $30,426 in debt. Read the full report on National University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Teaching Degree Schools in California
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of California San Diego ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Read more about University Of California San Diego
California State University Northridge landed the #27 spot in California this year. Based in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. California State University Northridge posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. The median Teaching program debt is $16,202. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
University Of California Riverside did well this year, earning the #28 position. University Of California Riverside is a public school based in Riverside, CA. University Of California Riverside posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. The median Teaching program debt is $19,187. See the full University Of California Riverside profile
California State University Bakersfield ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. California State University Bakersfield is a public school based in Bakersfield, CA. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Read more about California State University Bakersfield
University Of San Diego came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,486. Graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. See the full University Of San Diego profile
California State University East Bay landed the #31 spot in California this year. Located in Hayward, CA, California State University East Bay is a public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on California State University East Bay
University Of California Davis landed the #32 spot in California this year. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete their Teaching program here. More on University Of California Davis
Azusa Pacific University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Azusa, CA, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on Azusa Pacific University
William Jessup University landed the #34 spot in California this year. Based in Rocklin, CA, William Jessup University is a private not-for-profit institution. William Jessup University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. William Jessup University Teaching students take on a median of $21,420 in debt. Read the full report on William Jessup University
California Baptist University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Riverside, CA, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. California Baptist University Teaching students take on a median of $28,169 in debt. See the full California Baptist University profile
University Of San Francisco landed the #36 spot in California this year. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Francisco posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,522. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,935. Read the full report on University Of San Francisco
Pepperdine University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Malibu, CA. Pepperdine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. More on Pepperdine University
University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical Teaching student debt is $16,539. Read more about University Of California Irvine
Mills College landed the #39 spot in California this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Oakland, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,778. The median Teaching program debt is $24,086. Read the full report on Mills College
California State University Los Angeles placed #40 among Teaching schools in California. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. California State University Los Angeles Teaching students take on a median of $14,430 in debt. More on California State University Los Angeles
California State University Fresno did well this year, earning the #41 position. Set in Fresno, CA, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Read more about California State University Fresno
California State University San Marcos landed the #42 spot in California this year. Based in San Marcos, CA, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. California State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. California State University San Marcos Teaching students take on a median of $17,527 in debt. More on California State University San Marcos
Ashford University placed #43 among Teaching schools in California. Located in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Ashford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 10%. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $39,515. Read more about Ashford University
San Francisco State University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete their Teaching program here. More on San Francisco State University
University Of La Verne placed #45 among Teaching schools in California. University Of La Verne is a private not-for-profit school based in La Verne, CA. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. Graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Get the full University Of La Verne report
Mount St Marys College landed the #46 spot in California this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mount St Marys College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $49,564 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,555 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Mount St Marys College
Northcentral University placed #47 among Teaching schools in California. Located in San Diego, CA, Northcentral University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,594. The median Teaching program debt is $42,500. Read the full report on Northcentral University
Biola University landed the #48 spot in California this year. Located in La Mirada, CA, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. Biola University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,984. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,308. Read the full report on Biola University
San Diego State University placed #49 among Teaching schools in California. San Diego State University is a public school based in San Diego, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. San Diego State University Teaching students take on a median of $16,417 in debt. See the full San Diego State University profile
California State University Stanislaus landed the #50 spot in California this year. Located in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. More on California State University Stanislaus
More Teaching Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 469 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 668 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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