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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Educational Administration Schools in California

19 Colleges in the United States
2,458 Educational Administration Degrees Awarded
$82,459 Avg Early-Career Salary

Educational Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their educational administration programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 66 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for educational administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Educational Administration in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall educational administration education in California.

Top Schools in Educational Administration

1

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in educational administration. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 385 educational administration degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from University Of Southern California earn around $90,290 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. See the full educational administration program report for University Of Southern California

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for educational administration. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 15 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $70,847 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. More information about a degree in educational administration from University Of California Berkeley

3

A rank of #3 makes San Diego State University one of the top schools for educational administration. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 89 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $105,035. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete this degree. See the full educational administration program report for San Diego State University

4

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in educational administration, ranking #4. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 18 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $49,427 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,226. Get the full educational administration details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

5

California State University Fullerton came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best educational administration schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 119 educational administration degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $96,306. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525. More information about a degree in educational administration from California State University Fullerton

6

California State University Long Beach placed #6 among the best educational administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 24 educational administration degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $96,042. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. See the full educational administration program report for California State University Long Beach

7

San Jose State University came in at #7 for educational administration this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 28 educational administration degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full educational administration details for San Jose State University

8
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University landed the #8 spot for educational administration this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 38 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from Santa Clara University earn around $92,238 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Read more about the educational administration program at Santa Clara University

9

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #9 position for educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 educational administration degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $76,876. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

10

Azusa Pacific University came in at #10 for educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 educational administration degrees were awarded at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent year. Educational Administration graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $94,996 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,709. See the full educational administration program report for Azusa Pacific University

11

San Francisco State University placed #11 among the best educational administration schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 53 educational administration degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Educational Administration graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $106,694 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in educational administration from San Francisco State University

12

Concordia University Irvine ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best educational administration schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 152 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $104,155 in their early career. Concordia University Irvine graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Get the full educational administration details for Concordia University Irvine

13

Saint Marys College Of California came in at #13 for educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $74,507 early in their careers. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Get the full educational administration details for Saint Marys College Of California

14

California State University East Bay placed #14 among the best educational administration schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. California State University East Bay awarded about 37 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from California State University East Bay earn around $95,100 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete this degree. Get the full educational administration details for California State University East Bay

15

University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences placed #15 among the best educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences awarded about 32 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences earn around $70,901 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the educational administration program at University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences

16

California State University Northridge landed the #16 spot for educational administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. About 57% of students finish within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 52 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $84,058 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,202. See the full educational administration program report for California State University Northridge

17

Pepperdine University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best educational administration schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 121 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Educational Administration graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $85,709 early in their careers. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Get the full educational administration details for Pepperdine University

18

Loyola Marymount University earned the #18 position for educational administration this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 168 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $89,704. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Get the full educational administration details for Loyola Marymount University

19

California State University Dominguez Hills placed #19 among the best educational administration schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 79 educational administration degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $96,352. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. See the full educational administration program report for California State University Dominguez Hills

20

California State University Fresno landed the #20 spot for educational administration this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 86 educational administration students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $113,758 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree. See the full educational administration program report for California State University Fresno

21

California Lutheran University earned the #21 position for educational administration this year. Located in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 25 educational administration degrees were awarded at California Lutheran University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $84,731. California Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. See the full educational administration program report for California Lutheran University

22

California State University Stanislaus placed #22 among the best educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Stanislaus awarded about 52 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Typical student debt for the program is $14,813. See the full educational administration program report for California State University Stanislaus

23
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University earned the #23 position for educational administration this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 103 educational administration degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Students who receive their educational administration degree from National University earn around $94,937 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree. Read more about the educational administration program at National University

24

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #24 among the best educational administration schools. Located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public university. About 98 educational administration degrees were awarded at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System in the most recent year. Graduates of the educational administration program make about $94,998 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,471. Read more about the educational administration program at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

25

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #25 spot for educational administration this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 22 educational administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $109,183. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. Read more about the educational administration program at University Of California Los Angeles

Rest of the Top 41 Educational Administration Schools

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

26
27
28
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Ashford University crest
Ashford University
San Diego, CA

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 66 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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