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Cheapest Education Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Bethesda University stands out with its $8,388 net cost, making it the most affordable education program in California despite being private. The state's eight programs span from this budget option to Pitzer College at $31,663, reflecting California's education sector needs driven by the state's massive K-12 system serving over 6 million students. Public options like Cal State Channel Islands offer strong value at $9,792 net cost with 89% acceptance rates.
8
Programs
$8,388 – $31,663
Net Price Range
$29,576
Avg. Program Earnings
50.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Education, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,388 $7,220 18.2%
2 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
3 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
4 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
5 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
6 $25,009 $48,132 53.4% 75.8%
7 $25,321 $13,160 8.8%
8 $31,663 $62,692 83.2% 18.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide cost gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

The $23,275 difference between Bethesda University ($8,388) and Pitzer College ($31,663) reflects institutional types and selectivity. Pitzer accepts just 18% of applicants and graduates 83% of students, while more accessible options like Channel Islands accept 90% with lower completion rates.

How do graduation rates compare across different price points?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with Pitzer at 83% and Cal Poly Pomona at 67%. However, Ashford University presents a concerning outlier at $25,321 net cost but only 8.8% graduation rate, suggesting cost alone doesn't guarantee outcomes.

Where do graduates typically find employment in California's education sector?

California's 6 million K-12 students create demand across 1,000+ school districts statewide. Early career earnings range from $28,381 to $30,771, reflecting entry-level positions in teaching, administration, and educational support roles throughout the state's varied regions.

More Education, Other Rankings

Best Value Education, Other in California Education, Other Under $20,000 in California

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.