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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Secondary Education Schools in California

4 Colleges in the United States
277 Secondary Education Degrees Awarded
$52,173 Avg Early-Career Salary

Secondary Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for secondary education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Secondary 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 secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Secondary Education

1

Leading the list is University Of Redlands, our #1 school for secondary education. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Redlands awarded about 89 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of Redlands earn around $59,996 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in secondary education from University Of Redlands

2

Azusa Pacific University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 59 secondary education degrees were awarded at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Azusa Pacific University earn around $58,302 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,709. More information about a degree in secondary education from Azusa Pacific University

3

Chapman University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in secondary education, ranking #3. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 14 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $59,689 in their early career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at Chapman University

4

Students looking for a strong secondary education program will find one at University Of La Verne, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Verne. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. University Of La Verne awarded about 30 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of La Verne earn around $35,364 in the first couple years of their career. University Of La Verne graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at University Of La Verne

5

Students looking for a strong secondary education program will find one at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System, which ranked #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. There were roughly 62 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn around $52,216 in the first couple years of their career. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full secondary education details for Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

6

California State University Fullerton earned the #6 position for secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 23 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $47,473 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,542. See the full secondary education program report for California State University Fullerton

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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 · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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