2026 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in California
[Mathematics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/mathematics-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mathematics education students.
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2026 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mathematics education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mathematics Education Schools
For return on investment in mathematics education, no school beat California State University Northridge this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Fresno Pacific University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $77,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Chico one of the best values for mathematics education. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $21,429 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $45,591 early in their careers. Set against $21,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
More Mathematics Education Rankings
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
