2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $75-$110k) in California
42
Ranked Colleges
7,597
Degrees Awarded
$17,300
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 29,810 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 31st most popular in the United States.
Across California, there were 7,597 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 42 colleges that offered a degree in general education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general education programs, but they also cost less that 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
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” list to help you make the college decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $75-$110k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 68 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $13,623 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Stanford University General Education Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general education students whose families make $75-$110k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $10,011 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State LA General Education Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 121 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $12,789 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Fresno State General Education Report
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #4 spot on the list. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 255 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $12,977 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at Cal State Fullerton
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - San Bernardino landed the #5 spot on the list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 46 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $14,338 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full California State University - San Bernardino General Education Report
California State University - Bakersfield came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. CSUB is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 136 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUB is $13,441 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on General Education at CSUB
California State University - Sacramento ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 145 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,925 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Sac State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at California State University - Sacramento
University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 222 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general education students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,697 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Los Angeles General Education Report
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 141 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills is $11,085 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full CSUDH General Education Report
University of California - Davis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 100 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
UC Davis also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $18,728 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of California - Davis General Education Report
With a ranking of #11, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,101 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CSULB.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full CSULB General Education Report
University of California - Irvine ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 368 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $20,567 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Irvine General Education Report
California State University - Stanislaus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 105 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $12,642 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at California State University - Stanislaus
With a ranking of #14, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 127 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general education students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCSD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $20,906 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UCSD General Education Report
University of California - Berkeley came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 45 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $21,601 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Education at UC Berkeley
With a ranking of #16, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 195 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general education students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCR has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,887 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UCR.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UCR General Education Report
San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 145 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $18,957 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full San Diego State University General Education Report
With a ranking of #18, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $15,380 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CSUN.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at CSUN
San Jose State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 233 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $21,035 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend San Jose State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Education at San Jose State
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $18,166 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Cal Poly Pomona General Education Report
With a ranking of #21, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $18,439 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at CSUSM
San Francisco State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 128 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
SFSU also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $20,159 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at San Francisco State University
California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. CSUMB is a medium-sized school located in Seaside, California that handed out 68 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $18,412 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full California State University - Monterey Bay General Education Report
Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Azusa, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 259 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general education students whose families make $75-$110k list, Azusa Pacific has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Azusa Pacific is $30,578 for california general education students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at Azusa Pacific University
California State University - East Bay landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $18,874 for California General Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at Cal State East Bay
