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2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

45 Ranked Colleges
5,842 Degrees Awarded
$22,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value General Education Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 29,936 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 28th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 7,838 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,842 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 45 colleges that offer a degree in general education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general education program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Education Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Education (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 81 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read full report on General Education at Stanford

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 179 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884.

Full CSUDH General Education Report

#19 in overall quality

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 108 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Cal State LA also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Education at Cal State LA

#13 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 134 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

Full Fresno State General Education Report

#20 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 274 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree general education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read full report on General Education at Cal State Fullerton

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 151 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at California State University - Bakersfield

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 116 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540.

Read full report on General Education at California State University - Stanislaus

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 103 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at California State University - Long Beach

#9

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 176 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree general education students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCLA General Education Report

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 175 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686.

Full University of California - Riverside General Education Report

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s general education degrees to 74 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUN General Education Report

#12

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Berkeley General Education Report

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #0 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456.

Read more about General Education at UC Irvine

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s general education degrees to 74 students in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Sac State

#15

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 149 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at University of California - Santa Barbara

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s general education degrees to 61 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree general education students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631.

Read full report on General Education at University of California - San Diego

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 135 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Davis General Education Report

#18

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#17 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 153 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at San Diego State University

California State University - San Marcos ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 35 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Education at CSUSM

#20

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 227 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Jose State General Education Report

#21

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 60 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at CSUSB

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 23 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377.

Read more about General Education at Cal Poly Pomona

California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. California State University - Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 55 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Monterey Bay are $18,081, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUMB General Education Report

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 32 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828.

Read more about General Education at California State University - East Bay

#25

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 126 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at SFSU

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Notes and References

References

  • 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 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO.

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