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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in California

19 Colleges in the United States
$21,398 Avg Student Debt
$70,482 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Educational Administration Badge [Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for educational administration students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in California

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the educational administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Educational Administration Schools

1

California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools in California. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $96,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

2

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $96,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Stanislaus earned it the #3 place for educational administration. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $102,715. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

5

Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #5. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $113,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

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6

California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $84,058. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

7

California State University San Bernardino landed the #7 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $111,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $96,042 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

9

California State University East Bay came in at #9 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $95,100. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

10

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

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11

California State University Sacramento ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $77,944. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

San Francisco State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $106,694. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

13

San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses placed #14 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Stockton, Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,500. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $42,366 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $80,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

University Of California Berkeley placed #15 among the best values for educational administration. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

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16

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #16 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $109,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

17

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $76,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.

18

San Diego State University came in at #18 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $105,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.

19

University Of California Davis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

20

Azusa Pacific University landed the #20 spot for educational administration value this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,709. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $94,996. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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21

University Of Redlands ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $27,175. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $92,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

22

University Of The Pacific ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $90,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,514 median debt. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.

23

California Lutheran University earned the #23 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,560. Students borrow a median of $22,727 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $84,731. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of La Verne earned the #24 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

25
Ashford University crest
Ashford University
San Diego, CA

Ashford University landed the #25 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $39,515 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $47,259 early in their careers. Set against $39,515 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Educational Administration Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s educational administration value ranking:

26
27
28
29
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA
30
31
32
33
34
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
35
36
37
38
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 66 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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