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Most Popular Special Education Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Special Education Schools in California

100 Colleges
$59,751 Avg Salary
$17,326 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Special Education 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.

The Most Popular Special Education Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 100 schools in California to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Special Education program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Special Education Colleges.

#1

National University

La Jolla, CA

Our analysis found National University to be the most popular school for special education students who want to pursue a degree in California. Located in the city of La Jolla, National University is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Special Education at National University

#2

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

Out of the 100 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Pasadena City College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Full Special Education at Pasadena City College Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Alliant International University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Special Education Schools in California list. Alliant is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of San Diego.

Read More…

#5

Fullerton College

Fullerton, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fullerton College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Special Education Schools in California list. Fullerton College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton.

Full Special Education at Fullerton College Report

#6

Brandman University

Irvine, CA

Brandman University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for special education students. It came in at #6 on the list. Brandman is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Irvine.

Read full report on Special Education at Brandman University

#7

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Riverside City College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Special Education Schools in California ranking. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Riverside.

Read More…

#8

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for special education students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Full Special Education at San Francisco State University Report

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, Cal State LA is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Special Education at California State University - Los Angeles

#10

Mt. San Jacinto College

San Jacinto, CA

Mt. San Jacinto College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for special education students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, MSJC is a public school with a large student population.

Full Special Education at Mt. San Jacinto College Report

With a ranking of #10, University of Southern California did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Read More…

#12

Moorpark College

Moorpark, CA

With a ranking of #12, Moorpark College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students. Located in the midsize suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Special Education at Moorpark College

#13

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA

University of Redlands landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular special education programs. University of Redlands is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Redlands.

Full Special Education at University of Redlands Report

With a ranking of #14, California State University - East Bay did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for special education students. Located in the large suburb of Hayward, Cal State East Bay is a public college with a large student population.

Full Special Education at California State University - East Bay Report

#15

San Bernardino Valley College

San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular special education programs. Located in the medium-sized city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Special Education at San Bernardino Valley College Report

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Special Education Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
16 Saint Mary’s College of California Moraga, CA
17 Evergreen Valley College San Jose, CA
18 College of the Sequoias Visalia, CA
19 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
20 Southwestern College Chula Vista, CA

Best Special Education Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Special Education Schools 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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