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Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools in California

42 Colleges
$15,697 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Special Education Associate Degree School for You

With 2,861 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, special education is the #45 most popular major in California.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 42 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Special Education program at each school on the list.

Check out the special ed associate degree programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.

#1

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

Our analysis found Pasadena City College to be the most popular school for special education students who want to pursue a associate degree in California. Located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a public college with a very large student population.

Women make up 91% of the special ed majors at the school.

Read full report on Special Education at Pasadena City College

#2

Fullerton College

Fullerton, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fullerton College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools in California list. Fullerton College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton.

Women make up 92% of the special ed majors at the school.

Full Special Education at Fullerton College Report

#3

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Riverside City College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools in California list. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Riverside.

About 90% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 10% are male.

Full Special Education at Riverside City College Report

#4

Mt. San Jacinto College

San Jacinto, CA

Out of the 42 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Mt. San Jacinto College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, MSJC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

About 99% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 1% are male.

Read More…

#5

Moorpark College

Moorpark, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Moorpark College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular special education schools in California. Located in the midsize suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 93% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 7% are male.

Read full report on Special Education at Moorpark College

#6

San Bernardino Valley College

San Bernardino, CA

With a ranking of #6, San Bernardino Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students working on their associate degree. Located in the midsize city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 98% of the special ed majors at the school.

Read More…

#7

Evergreen Valley College

San Jose, CA

Evergreen Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for special education students to get a associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Evergreen Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of San Jose.

Of the 53 students majoring in special ed at Evergreen Valley College, 8% are male and 92% are female.

Read More…

#8

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, CA

College of the Sequoias came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Visalia, College of the Sequoias is a public school with a large student population.

Of the 50 students majoring in special ed at College of the Sequoias, 4% are male and 96% are female.

Read More…

#9

Southwestern College

Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Special Education Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in the large city of Chula Vista, SWC Chula Vista is a public school with a large student population.

Women make up 94% of the special ed majors at the school.

Read full report on Special Education at Southwestern College

#10

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for special education students to get a associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach.

Women make up 83% of the special ed majors at the school.

Full Special Education at Golden West College Report

Best Special Education Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Special Education Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 238
Oregon 234
Nevada 215
Hawaii 49
Alaska 52

One of 14 majors within the area of study, special education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Special Ed

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 110,226
Educational Administration 46,469
Teacher Education Subject Specific 43,297
General Education 29,810
Curriculum & Instruction 19,832

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 26 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to woodleywonderworks.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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