2023 Most Popular Teaching Schools in California
It's not easy to decide which teaching program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Teaching Degree Search has created the Most Popular Teaching Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 177 schools in California to see which programs were the most popular for teaching students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Teaching Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named National University the most popular school in California for teaching students working on their degree. La Jolla, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,121 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from National University accumulate an average of $31,362 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $198, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, National University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,580 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Southern California. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,019 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,661 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $489 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USC graduates make an average of $65,044 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Teaching Schools in California list. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 982 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. During the early years of their career, Cal State Fullerton graduates make an average of $47,875 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brandman University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Teaching Schools in California list. Brandman is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 917 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,571 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Brandman graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,858 during the early year of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Sacramento ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in California list. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 843 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $19,924 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $172.After graduating from Sac State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,098 during the early years of their career. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Los Angeles came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Schools in California ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 829 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Cal State LA accumulate an average of $17,712 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Cal State LA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,734 during the early year of their career. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
Northcentral University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in California list. Northcentral University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in San Diego, California that handed out 785 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,423 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Northcentral University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,007 during the early year of their career. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Northridge did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 713 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from CSUN accumulate an average of $18,166 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CSUN graduates make an average of $44,924 annually. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on California State University - Northridge
With a ranking of #10, University of California - Irvine did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working. University of California - Irvine is a large public school located in Irvine, California that handed out 656 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,722 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $209, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC Irvine, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,120 during the early years of their career. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #11, San Diego State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for teaching students working. Located in San Diego, California, the large public school handed out 630 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SDSU accumulate an average of $18,150 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 $251.After graduating from SDSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,826 during the early years of their career. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Redlands ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in California list. Redlands, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 587 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $28,902 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. During the early years of their career, University of Redlands graduates make an average of $46,017 annually. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.
San Jose State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #13 on the list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 574 students in 2020-2021.
After graduating from San Jose State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,886 during the early years of their career. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
San Francisco State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Schools in California ranking. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 565 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SFSU accumulate an average of $19,529 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 $196. Once they receive their degree, SFSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,645 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.
California State University - Fresno landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular teaching programs. Located in Fresno, California, the large public school handed out 534 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,360 in student loans.After graduating from Fresno State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,058 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.
Concordia University, Irvine came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Teaching Schools in California ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 528 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Concordia University, Irvine accumulate an average of $24,323 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $600, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Concordia University, Irvine graduates make an average of $48,407 annually. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
Alliant International University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular teaching programs. San Diego, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 514 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,733 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Alliant, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,491 during the early years of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Loyola Marymount University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #18 on the list. Loyola Marymount is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 473 degrees in 2020-2021.
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.After graduating from Loyola Marymount, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,301 during the early years of their career. Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular teaching programs. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 457 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,973 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, CSUDH graduates make an average of $44,452 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
University of La Verne ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in California list. ULV is located in La Verne, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 456 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $27,854 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $377 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ULV, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,002 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
California Baptist University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #21 on the list. California Baptist University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Riverside, California that handed out 375 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $29,767 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $503. Once they receive their degree, Cal Baptist graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,426 during the early year of their career. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Riverside did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #22 on the list. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 348 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UCR accumulate an average of $18,387 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $150, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UCR, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,967 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
Azusa Pacific University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular teaching programs. Azusa Pacific is located in Azusa, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 327 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,855 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $276, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Azusa Pacific graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,840 during the early year of their career. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
Saint Mary’s College of California ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Teaching Schools in California list. Moraga, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 312 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,136 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $659. Once they receive their degree, SMC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,025 during the early year of their career. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
Cuesta College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for teaching students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 311 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,466 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Cuesta College graduates make an average of $48,355 annually. Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Teaching Schools in California
Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region
View Most Popular Teaching Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular teaching schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | California State University - East Bay | Hayward, CA |
| 29 | University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 30 | University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA |
| 31 | University of California - Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| 32 | University of San Diego | San Diego, CA |
| 33 | California State University - San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA |
| 34 | California State University - Long Beach | Long Beach, CA |
| 35 | California State University - San Marcos | San Marcos, CA |
| 36 | Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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