2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
22
Ranked Colleges
7,234
Degrees Awarded
$9,400
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2020-2021, 30,202 people earned their degree in mathematics, making the major the 35th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, mathematics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $45,168 and had an average of $21,863 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 7,234 mathematics graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,654 and $15,933 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in mathematics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent mathematics 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 mathematics 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.
More Ways to Rank Mathematics Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california math students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Mathematics (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 215 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #1 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k.
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.
Read full report on Mathematics at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 144 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Mathematics at University of California - Berkeley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s math degrees to 240 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Mathematics at UCSD
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 Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 153 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california math students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $10,006 for California Math 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 more about Mathematics at UC Davis
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 330 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,540 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Irvine.
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 Mathematics at University of California - Irvine
With a ranking of #6, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 189 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
UCSB also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $10,568 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSB.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Mathematics at UCSB
With a ranking of #7, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s math degrees to 135 students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full California State University - Long Beach Mathematics Report
University of California - Riverside came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 208 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $6,810 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.
Full University of California - Riverside Mathematics Report
University of Southern California landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 31 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
USC also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $17,287 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USC.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Mathematics at University of Southern California
California State University - San Bernardino landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s math degrees to 76 students in 2020-2021.
CSUSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $5,985 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full California State University - San Bernardino Mathematics Report
University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 142 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,038 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - 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.
Full UC Santa Cruz Mathematics Report
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 76 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also took the #17 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Mathematics Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s math degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california math students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $10,349 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 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 more about Mathematics at Cal Poly Pomona
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 62 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,173 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, 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%.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mathematics Report
California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $8,163 for california math 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 more about Mathematics at Sac State
With a ranking of #16, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUDH is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
CSUDH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,657 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full CSUDH Mathematics Report
San Diego State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 36 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $7,169 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 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%.
Full SDSU Mathematics Report
California State University - East Bay ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school awarded 45 degrees to qualified ’s math students in 2020-2021.
Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Mathematics at California State University - East Bay
Occidental College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Occidental College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Oxy not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Occidental College is $14,452 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Oxy Mathematics Report
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Seaside, California, and it awarded 22 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUMB also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for CSUMB is $9,192 for California Math students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full CSUMB Mathematics Report
San Jose State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $12,158 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 full report on Mathematics at San Jose State
Humboldt State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 17 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $11,473 for california math students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Humboldt State University Mathematics Report
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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
- *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.
