Best Special Education and Teaching Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
17
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$443,113
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$37,553
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California State University-Los Angeles
Grad rate: 52.0% |
+$734,194 | $80,425 | $17,153 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Grad rate: 46.7% |
+$605,562 | $73,823 | $15,449 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
California State University-San Marcos
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$573,012 | $72,765 | $21,144 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
California State University-San Bernardino
Grad rate: 54.5% |
+$565,680 | $71,975 | $16,910 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Notre Dame de Namur University
Grad rate: 39.2% |
+$531,840 | $68,592 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
San Diego State University
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$505,386 | $70,005 | $27,357 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
California State University-Fullerton
Grad rate: 69.3% |
+$504,846 | $68,919 | $16,767 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
California Lutheran University
Grad rate: 73.6% |
+$494,044 | $73,079 | $63,768 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
California State University-Northridge
Grad rate: 56.1% |
+$457,006 | $66,882 | $20,317 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
California State University-Fresno
Grad rate: 55.5% |
+$446,880 | $66,209 | $18,650 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
National University
Grad rate: 44.0% |
+$415,348 | $66,479 | $37,116 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
San Francisco State University
Grad rate: 52.2% |
+$342,704 | $61,661 | $25,258 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
California State University-Sacramento
Grad rate: 55.1% |
+$337,632 | $61,153 | $22,714 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
University of San Francisco
Grad rate: 72.8% |
+$326,458 | $65,965 | $76,421 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Chapman University
Grad rate: 81.9% |
+$286,806 | $64,473 | $81,327 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Special Education and Teaching Degrees by State
Browse Special Education and Teaching programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.