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

2 Colleges in the United States
683 Teacher Education Degrees Awarded
$67,673 Avg Early-Career Salary

Teacher Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their teacher education programs.

College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best teacher education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Teacher Education in California

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

Top Schools in Teacher Education

1

Our analysis ranked University Of California Irvine the best school in the country for a degree in teacher education. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 260 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teacher education program make about $65,591 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. See the full teacher education program report for University Of California Irvine

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for teacher education. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 49 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Teacher Education graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238. Get the full teacher education details for University Of California Berkeley

3
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Students looking for a strong teacher education program will find one at Santa Clara University, which ranked #3. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 38 teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Teacher Education graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $68,067 early in their careers. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Read more about the teacher education program at Santa Clara University

4

University Of Redlands is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Redlands awarded about 83 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $59,996 early in their careers. University Of Redlands graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. See the full teacher education program report for University Of Redlands

5

Fresno Pacific University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Fresno Pacific University awarded about 50 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teacher education program make about $33,727 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in teacher education from Fresno Pacific University

6

Alliant International University placed #6 among the best teacher education schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Alliant International University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. About 24 teacher education degrees were awarded at Alliant International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Alliant International University generally make around $59,992. Alliant International University graduates carry a median of $21,234 in student loans. More information about a degree in teacher education from Alliant International University

7

Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #7 for teacher education this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teacher education program make about $80,727 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete this degree. See the full teacher education program report for Vanguard University Of Southern California

8

Claremont Graduate University landed the #8 spot for teacher education this year. Claremont Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Claremont Graduate University awarded about 30 teacher education degrees in the most recent data year. Teacher Education graduates of Claremont Graduate University earn a median of $67,806 early in their careers. See the full teacher education program report for Claremont Graduate University

9

American Jewish University came in at #9 for teacher education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, American Jewish University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 13 teacher education degrees were awarded at American Jewish University in the most recent year. See the full teacher education program report for American Jewish University

10

United States University placed #10 among the best teacher education schools. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. About 55 teacher education degrees were awarded at United States University in the most recent year. Graduates of the teacher education program make about $120,862 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,641 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in teacher education from United States University

11
Pacific Oaks College crest
Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena, CA

Pacific Oaks College earned the #11 position for teacher education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. There were roughly 58 teacher education students who graduated with this degree at Pacific Oaks College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the teacher education program make about $49,118 in their early career. Pacific Oaks College graduates carry a median of $35,500 in student loans. Read more about the teacher education program at Pacific Oaks College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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