2023 Best Value Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California
19
Ranked Colleges
3,588
Degrees Awarded
$9,700
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 16,243 people earned their degree in area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies, making the major the 30th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,881 and had an average of $22,102 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 3,588 area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,929 and $17,777 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.
Stanford also made our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $1,233 for california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 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 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at Stanford University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 234 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 461 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 242 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $10,006 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at UC Davis
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UCSB is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 152 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB also made our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $10,568 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSB.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara
California State University - Long Beach ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 146 diplomas to qualified ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies students in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,663 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSULB.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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 89%.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at California State University - Long Beach
San Diego State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 62 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $7,169 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Diego State University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at SDSU
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 219 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUN has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 more about Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at California State University - Northridge
California State University - Fullerton landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees to qualified students.
Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at Cal State Fullerton
University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 88 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $6,540 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at UC Irvine
University of California - San Diego came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at University of California - San Diego
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 171 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,038 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.
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 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at UC Santa Cruz
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 130 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,705 for california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SFSU.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full SFSU Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Report
University of California - Riverside ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 63 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also made our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $6,810 for california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at University of California - Riverside
With a ranking of #15, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $8,163 for california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at California State University - Sacramento
California State University - Chico came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies students in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $11,754 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chico State.
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%.
Full Chico State Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Report
Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Sonoma State University is a public institution located in Rohnert Park, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, SSU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SSU is $12,803 for california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read more about Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at Sonoma State University
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 28 ’s area, ethnic, culture, and gender studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $10,349 for california area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
University of San Francisco came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
USFCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend USFCA is $32,023 for California Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 USFCA Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Report
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a More Focused Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Best Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students in the state of California
Most Focused Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students in California
Most Popular Online Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students in California
Best Value Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students with family income less than $30k in California
Best Value Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Income $48-$75k) in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students with family income $48-$75k in California
Best Value Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Income Over $110k) in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students with family income exceeding $110k in California
Highest Paid Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Graduates in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students in California
Most Popular Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students in California
Best Value Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies in California (With Aid)
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students getting aid in California
Best Value Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students with family income $30-$48k in California
Best Value Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Income $75-$110k) in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students with family income $75-$110k in California
Best Value Colleges for Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies in California
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies students in California
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
- *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 G. Mützel.
