2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education in California (With Aid)
44
Ranked Colleges
7,597
Degrees Awarded
$11,500
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 44 colleges that offered a degree in general education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 in California For Those Getting Aid” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education in California (With Aid)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $3,302 for California General Education students with aid.
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%.
Read more about General Education at Cal State LA
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #2 spot on the list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 121 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,230 for california general education students with aid per year to attend Fresno State.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Education at California State University - Fresno
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,894 for california general education students with aid per year to attend Stanford.
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. 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%. 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 Stanford
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Bakersfield. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUB is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 136 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $7,454 for California General Education students with aid.
Read full report on General Education at California State University - Bakersfield
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - San Bernardino landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 46 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSB also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for California General Education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on General Education at California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - Fullerton landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 255 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $8,003 for california general education students with aid per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
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 more about General Education at California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #7, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 145 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for California General Education students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at Sac State
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 141 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills is $4,026 for california general education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at CSUDH
University of California - Los Angeles landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 222 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $15,023 for California General Education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Full University of California - Los Angeles General Education Report
With a ranking of #10, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 127 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for California General Education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full UCSD General Education Report
University of California - Irvine ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 368 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for california general education students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 UC Irvine
California State University - Stanislaus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 105 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for california general education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Stan State General Education Report
California State University - Long Beach ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 91 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $10,054 for california general education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about General Education at CSULB
University of California - Riverside landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 195 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for California General Education students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 UCR
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 33 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,523 for california general education students with aid per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 - Northridge General Education Report
San Diego State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 145 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general education students with aid list, SDSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $13,845 for california general education students with aid.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at San Diego State University
University of California - Davis came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.
UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for California General Education students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Education at University of California - Davis
University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 45 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,032 for california general education students with aid per year to attend UC Berkeley.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 University of California - Berkeley
With a ranking of #19, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 233 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general education students with aid list, San Jose State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,542 for California General Education students with aid per year to attend San Jose State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at San Jose State University
With a ranking of #20, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 43 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $13,218 for California General Education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 full report on General Education at CSUSM
San Francisco State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 128 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for california general education students with aid.
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 more about General Education at San Francisco State University
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 42 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,304 for California General Education students with aid per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Cal Poly Pomona General Education Report
California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 25 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,298 for california general education students with aid per year to attend Cal State East Bay.
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 full report on General Education at Cal State East Bay
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Seaside, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Monterey Bay is $13,597 for california general education students with aid.
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%.
Read more about General Education at California State University - Monterey Bay
California State University - Channel Islands ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUCI is located in Camarillo, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $14,928 for california general education students with aid per year to attend California State University - Channel Islands.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at CSUCI
