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2023 Best Teaching Schools in California

61 Schools Ranked
$43,905 Average Earnings
$18,481 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for teaching students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Teaching Degree Search has created the Best Teaching Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 61 schools in California to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for teaching students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Teaching Schools in California

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, California
$56,648 Average Earnings

Our analysis found Claremont Graduate University to be the best school for teaching students in California.

After graduating from Claremont Graduate University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,648 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Claremont Graduate University

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
$83,159 Average Earnings
$13,926 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in California list.

On average, students take out $13,926 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Stanford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $83,159 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Stanford University

#3

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
$35,777 Average Earnings
$18,900 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of California - Santa Cruz is a great place for teaching students.

On average, students take out $18,900 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $285. During the early years of their career, UC Santa Cruz graduates make an average of $35,777 annually.

Read full report on University of California - Santa Cruz

#4

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
$67,441 Average Earnings
$19,104 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Clara University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in California list.

On average, students take out $19,104 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $657. During the early years of their career, SCU graduates make an average of $67,441 annually.

Read More…

#5

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California
$48,407 Average Earnings
$24,323 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Concordia University, Irvine helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best teaching schools in California.

Degree recipients from Concordia University, Irvine accumulate an average of $24,323 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $600 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Concordia University, Irvine graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,407 during the early year of their career.

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#6

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California
$50,730 Average Earnings
$26,029 Avg Student Debt

Fresno Pacific University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in California ranking.

Degree recipients from Fresno Pacific accumulate an average of $26,029 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $215.After graduating from Fresno Pacific, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,730 during the early years of their career.

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#7

Brandman University

Irvine, California
$60,858 Average Earnings
$29,571 Avg Student Debt

Brandman University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $29,571 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Brandman, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,858 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#8

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
$46,017 Average Earnings
$28,902 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, University of Redlands did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,902 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $410 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, University of Redlands graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,017 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Redlands

$50,025 Average Earnings
$27,136 Avg Student Debt

Saint Mary’s College of California ranked #9 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in California list.

Degree recipients from SMC accumulate an average of $27,136 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $659.After graduating from SMC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,025 during the early years of their career.

Full Saint Mary’s College of California Report

#10

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
$60,587 Average Earnings
$15,301 Avg Student Debt

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #10 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,301 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $323 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC Berkeley, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,587 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of California - Berkeley

#11

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California
$51,199 Average Earnings
$21,957 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, California Lutheran University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

On average, students take out $21,957 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $364 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CLU graduates make an average of $51,199 annually.

Read full report on California Lutheran University

#12

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
$48,301 Average Earnings
$20,811 Avg Student Debt

Loyola Marymount University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in California ranking.

Degree recipients from Loyola Marymount accumulate an average of $20,811 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $821. Once they receive their degree, Loyola Marymount graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,301 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Loyola Marymount University

#13

California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento, California
$45,098 Average Earnings
$19,924 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,924 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $172, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Sac State graduates make an average of $45,098 annually.

Full California State University - Sacramento Report

#14

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California
$47,716 Average Earnings
$22,219 Avg Student Debt

Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #14 on the list.

On average, students take out $22,219 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $685, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from PLNU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,716 during the early years of their career.

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#15

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
$65,044 Average Earnings
$15,661 Avg Student Debt

University of Southern California landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $15,661 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $489. Once they receive their degree, USC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $65,044 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Southern California Report

#16

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
$53,838 Average Earnings
$16,277 Avg Student Debt

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #16 on the list.

On average, students take out $16,277 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $278 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UCLA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,838 during the early year of their career.

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$54,753 Average Earnings
$18,067 Avg Student Debt

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $18,067 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $377. During the early years of their career, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates make an average of $54,753 annually.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Report

#18

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
$52,886 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #18, San Jose State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

Once they receive their degree, San Jose State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,886 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on San Jose State University

#18

Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, California
$50,729 Average Earnings
$28,287 Avg Student Debt

Notre Dame de Namur University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in California ranking.

On average, students take out $28,287 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $542. Once they receive their degree, NDNU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,729 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Notre Dame de Namur University

#20

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
$37,226 Average Earnings
$18,358 Avg Student Debt

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #20 on the list.

Degree recipients from CSUSB accumulate an average of $18,358 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $137 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from CSUSB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,226 during the early years of their career.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Report

#21

California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, California
$45,445 Average Earnings
$17,702 Avg Student Debt

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #21 on the list.

On average, students take out $17,702 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CSULB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,445 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#22

California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, California
$47,875 Average Earnings
$17,931 Avg Student Debt

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #22 on the list.

Degree recipients from Cal State Fullerton accumulate an average of $17,931 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $191 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,875 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#23

Dominican University of California

San Rafael, California
$53,232 Average Earnings
$27,447 Avg Student Debt

Dominican University of California did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #23 on the list.

Degree recipients from DUofC accumulate an average of $27,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $734. Once they receive their degree, DUofC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,232 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#24

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California
$58,860 Average Earnings
$23,827 Avg Student Debt

University of the Pacific came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in California ranking.

Degree recipients from Pacific accumulate an average of $23,827 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $656. Once they receive their degree, Pacific graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,860 during the early year of their career.

Full University of the Pacific Report

#25

National University

La Jolla, California
$58,580 Average Earnings
$31,362 Avg Student Debt

National University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in California ranking.

On average, students take out $31,362 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $198 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, National University graduates make an average of $58,580 annually.

Full National University Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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