2026 Best Value Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools in California

[Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs](/majors/education/special-education/teaching-individuals-in-early-childhood-special-education-programs/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 65 schools to find the best return on investment for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs students.
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2026 Best Value Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs schools in California. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs program here. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs, landing the #2 spot this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs will find it at College Of The Sequoias, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs program here. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes West Valley College one of the best values for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College came in at #6 for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College earned the #7 position for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #8 for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #9 position for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Santa Monica College landed the #10 spot for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Citrus College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs schools. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Riverside City College earned the #12 position for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #13 position for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Woodland Community College earned the #14 position for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, compared with $7,656 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,042.
Butte College placed #15 among the best values for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Typical student debt for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates is $13,302. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Bakersfield College came in at #16 for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates is $9,419. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Palomar College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Miracosta College landed the #18 spot for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs value this year. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #19 for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs program here. Early-career education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates make about $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District earned the #20 position for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates is $8,770. Early-career education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates make about $37,488. Set against $8,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College came in at #21 for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates make about $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles City College placed #22 among the best values for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Education/teaching Of Individuals In Early Childhood Special Education Programs graduates carry a median of $10,763 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates make about $83,699. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
Fullerton College came in at #23 for value in education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
West Hills College Coalinga placed #24 among the best values for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs. West Hills College Coalinga is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Coalinga. Students from in state pay about $1,384 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,954 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,920 to complete the education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs degree recipients from West Hills College Coalinga generally make around $41,726. Set against $9,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs schools. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates is $8,180. Early-career education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs graduates make about $33,595. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education/teaching of individuals in early childhood special education programs value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.