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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Elementary Education Schools in California

8 Colleges in the United States
497 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$50,555 Avg Early-Career Salary

Elementary Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their elementary education programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for elementary education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Elementary Education in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Elementary Education

1

Leading the list is Concordia University Irvine, our #1 school for elementary education. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 13 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Concordia University Irvine earn around $58,590 in the first couple years of their career. Concordia University Irvine graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Concordia University Irvine

2

Azusa Pacific University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 93 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $58,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Azusa Pacific University

3

Chapman University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 21 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $59,689 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657. Read more about the elementary education program at Chapman University

4

University Of La Verne is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. University Of La Verne graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of La Verne

5

Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at Point Loma Nazarene University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $46,986 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the elementary education program at Point Loma Nazarene University

6

University Of The Pacific earned the #6 position for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Typical student debt for the program is $23,562. Read more about the elementary education program at University Of The Pacific

7

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System awarded about 101 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $52,216 early in their careers. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

8

California State University Fullerton ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 48 elementary education degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $47,473 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,542 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for California State University Fullerton

9

Azusa Pacific University College came in at #9 for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Azusa Pacific University College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 17% of students finish within six years. Azusa Pacific University College awarded about 20 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Azusa Pacific University College earn a median of $55,054 early in their careers. Azusa Pacific University College graduates carry a median of $35,625 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Azusa Pacific University College

10
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University landed the #10 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 29 elementary education degrees were awarded at Biola University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $45,003 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,094. Read more about the elementary education program at Biola University

11

William Jessup University came in at #11 for elementary education this year. William Jessup University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rocklin. William Jessup University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 17 elementary education degrees were awarded at William Jessup University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from William Jessup University earn around $50,502 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,718 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for William Jessup University

12
College Of The Desert crest
College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA

College Of The Desert ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Palm Desert. College Of The Desert awarded about 10 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of College Of The Desert earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,826. See the full elementary education program report for College Of The Desert

13

California Baptist University earned the #13 position for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 20 elementary education degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $29,717 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,250 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for California Baptist University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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