Best Special Education colleges in California

Best Special Education colleges in California for 2025

San Diego State University offers 8 Special Education degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 222 Special Education students graduated with students earning 160 Bachelor's degrees, 44 Master's degrees, 13 Certificates, and 5 Doctoral degrees.

Cal State LA was established in 1947 and serves about 26,400 students. In the Division of Special Education and Counseling, undergraduate Cal State LA students can earn a BS in Rehabilitation Services or a BA in Urban Learning with an Education Specialist/Special Education credential. The graduate program features an MA with 11 available concentrations and a Ph.D. in Special Education program. Notable alumni include politicians Rosario Marin and Maxine Waters.

National University
San Diego, CA

National University offers 10 Special Education degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 1,093 Special Education students graduated with students earning 1,092 Master's degrees, and 1 Bachelor's degree.

The Chicago School at Los Angeles offers 5 Special Education degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 154 Special Education students graduated with students earning 59 Certificates, 49 Master's degrees, and 46 Doctoral degrees.

Image by Cbl62

California State University-Northridge offers 10 Special Education degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 299 Special Education students graduated with students earning 181 Master's degrees, and 118 Bachelor's degrees.

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Established in 1899, SFSU’s Department of Special Education features an undergraduate minor, Master of Arts, and Ph.D. programs in Special Education. Learners can also pursue post-baccalaureate credential programs, graduate certificates, or temporary intern credential programs in Special Education. Standout alumni include journalist Melba Pattillo Beals and author Anne Rice.

California State University-Sacramento offers 4 Special Education degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 144 Special Education students graduated with students earning 97 Bachelor's degrees, and 47 Master's degrees.

Image by Jack Miller

California State University-Fullerton offers 4 Special Education degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 223 Special Education students graduated with students earning 150 Bachelor's degrees, 72 Master's degrees, and 1 Certificate.

Fresno State is a public school founded in 1911 with nearly 25,400 students. Special education teaching students can pursue multiple-subject and single-subject credential paths. There is also an Education Specialist credential offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels and an MA in Special Education. Undergraduate and graduate tuition is generally $1,177/credit and $690/credit, respectively, with some special education courses costing as low as $340/credit.

Image by Summum

California State University-Long Beach offers 6 Special Education degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 137 Special Education students graduated with students earning 65 Bachelor's degrees, 51 Master's degrees, and 21 Certificates.

List of all Special Education colleges in California

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
San Diego State University Logo San Diego State University San Diego, CA
3/5
39 : 1 39,241
California State University-Los Angeles Logo California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
2/5
37 : 1 25,080
National University Logo National University San Diego, CA
3/5
57 : 1 19,924
The Chicago School at Los Angeles Logo The Chicago School at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
4/5
38 : 1 3,392
California State University-Northridge Logo California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA
2/5
41 : 1 37,760