Best and Affordable Online Master of Education Programs in California
The following guide provides key information about the best and most affordable Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs in California. There are 27 not-for-profit schools in California that have online and hybrid M.Ed. programs. Many M.Ed. programs are designed for licensed educators, but there are programs that offer M.Ed. pathways for first-time licensure. An M.Ed. can qualify you for an additional certification area, including specialist credentials like school administration. An M.Ed. can also advance your skills and knowledge in a specific subject or area of teaching. Below you’ll find our rankings of the top and best value online M.Ed. programs.
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27 Best Online M.Ed. Programs in California
The table below displays the top-ranked online and hybrid M.Ed., Master of Arts in Education (MA.Ed.), and Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) programs in California based on program accreditation, number of relevant offerings, third-party school and program ratings, and affordability. For more information, see our unique ranking methodology.
| School Name | Rank | Accreditation1,2* | M.Ed. Program Types** | Program Format | US News National Rank3 | US News Graduate Education Rank4 | Tuition Per Credit Hour*** | Credit Hours Req’d |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific University | #1 | CAEP | C&I, Content Area, Counseling, Teacher Prep | Hybrid | #236 tie | #240 tie | $675 | 44-49 |
| University of San Diego | #2 | — | Administration, C&I, Content Area | Online | #98 tie | — | $710 | 30 |
| National University | #3 | AAQEP | Administration, C&I, Content Area, Reading | Online | — | — | $663 | 30-36 |
| California State University-Fresno | #4 | AAQEP | C&I | Hybrid | #185 tie | — | $521 | 30 |
| Teachers College of San Joaquin | #5 | — | Administration, C&I, Content Area, | Hybrid, Online | — | — | $534 | 32-38 |
| Concordia University-Irvine | #6 | — | Administration, C&I, Counseling | Online | #345 tie | — | $685 | 30-48 |
| California State University-Long Beach | #7 | — | C&I, Content Area | Hybrid, Online | #105 tie | — | $897 | 30-36 |
| Humphreys University | #8 | — | Content Area | Online | — | — | $350 | 44 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | #9 | — | Administration, Content Area | Online | — | — | $598 | 30 |
| Touro University California | #10 | — | Administration, C&I | Online | — | — | $660 | 30 |
| Dominican University of California | #11 | — | Content Area, Teacher Prep | Online | — | — | $695 | 30 |
| University of La Verne | #12 | — | Administration | Online | #170 tie | #195 | $740 | 33 |
| California State University-Los Angeles | #13 | — | Administration, C&I, Content Area | Online | — | — | $897 | 30 |
| Hope International University | #14 | — | Content Area, Teacher Prep | Online | — | — | $675 | 30-51 |
| California State University-Channel Islands | #15 | — | C&I, Content Area | Online | — | — | $951 | 31-34 |
| Biola University | #16 | — | C&I, Content Area, Teacher Prep | Hybrid, Online | #236 tie | — | $698 | 37-67 |
| University of Southern California | #17 | — | Administration, C&I, Counseling | Online | #28 tie | — | $2,244 | 30-49 |
| California State University-Sacramento | #18 | — | C&I | Online | — | — | $495 | 30 |
| California State University-San Marcos | #19 | — | Administration | Online | — | — | $499 | 30 |
| The Master’s University and Seminary | #20 | — | C&I | Online | — | — | $595 | 33 |
| Jessup University | #21 | — | Administration | Online | — | — | $550 | 36 |
| High Tech High Graduate School of Education | #22 | — | Administration | Online | — | — | $700 | 30 |
| California State University-Monterey Bay | #23 | — | Administration, C&I, Teacher Prep | Hybrid, Online | — | — | $897 | 37-46 |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills | #24 | — | C&I | Hybrid | — | — | $897 | 30 |
| University of the Pacific | #25 | — | C&I | Online | #142 tie | — | $1,139 | 32 |
| Mount Saint Mary’s University | #26 | — | Administration, Content Area | Hybrid, Online | — | — | $1,108 | 30-47.5 |
| Pacific Oaks College | #27 | — | Content Area, Teacher Prep | Online | — | — | $1,210 | 43 |
*See table notes at bottom of page.
13 Most Affordable Online Master of Education Programs in California
The following schools with hybrid and online M.Ed. degrees are the most affordable based on the minimum program tuition, excluding fees. The total credit hours required may vary by concentration area, so be sure to check with schools of interest for specific program options. You can cross-reference this list with our table above to compare the quality indicators that best fit your needs.
- California State University-Sacramento ($14,850)
- California State University-San Marcos ($14,970)
- Humphreys University ($15,400)
- California State University-Fresno ($15,630)
- Teachers College of San Joaquin ($17,088-$20,292)
- California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($17,940)
- The Master’s University and Seminary ($19,635)
- Jessup University ($19,800)
- Touro University California ($19,800)
- National University ($19,890-$23,868)
- Hope International University ($20,250-$34,425)
- Concordia University-Irvine ($20,550-$32,880)
- Azusa Pacific University ($29,700-$33,075)
Possible Job Titles With an M.Ed.
- Academic Advisor
- Curriculum Director
- Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
- Dean
- District Administrator
- Education Analyst/Consultant/Coordinator/Researcher
- Educational Technology Specialist
- Instructional Coordinator, Designer, or Director
- Lead Teacher/Teacher Leader/Master Teacher
- Principal
- Reading Specialist
- School Administrator
- School Counselor
- Vice Principal
Related Articles
- California Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- California Education Schools
- Curriculum and Instruction Degree Programs
- Education Administration Degree Programs
- Master’s in Education Programs
Table notes:
* AAQEP accredits programs, not providers, so not all programs at a given school will hold this accreditation.
** Administration: Programs focused on administrative training, such as educational leadership, principal preparation and endorsement, and educational administration.
C&I: Programs in curriculum and instruction, instructional design, educational technology, and instructional strategies for specific populations, such as urban education, social justice, research, or special education.
Content Area: Programs in an instructional area such as English, Math, or Special Education.
Counseling: Programs that lead to certification, licensure, or advancement as a school counselor.
Teacher Prep: Programs designed for initial licensure.
Reading: Programs in reading and literacy, typically focused on credential preparation for reading and literacy specialists.
*** Tuition is per credit hour for in-state students and does not include required fees.
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation: https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation: https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
3. US News & World Report National University Rankings, 2024: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
4. US News & World Report Best Education Schools, 2024: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings