2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
22
Ranked Colleges
7,234
Degrees Awarded
$10,500
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 $30-$48k” 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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in mathematics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality mathematics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the mathematics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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 $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Mathematics (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 215 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCLA.
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%. 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 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 $30-$48k list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 144 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $9,999 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Berkeley Mathematics Report
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 $30-$48k. 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 UCSD is $11,176 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Mathematics at University of California - San Diego
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 153 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,598 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Davis.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Mathematics at UC Davis
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 330 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
UC Irvine also took the #6 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $8,449 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Mathematics at UC Irvine
University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.
In addition to being on our california math students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSB has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $11,606 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full UCSB Mathematics Report
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 135 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $7,573 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 2.4% 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 Mathematics at California State University - Long Beach
With a ranking of #8, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 208 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Riverside Mathematics Report
California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 76 diplomas to qualified ’s math students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california math students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUSB has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $6,613 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. 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 Mathematics at California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 41 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUDH, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills is $3,329 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 more about Mathematics at CSUDH
California State University - Northridge came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s math degrees to 76 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california math students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUN has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Mathematics at CSUN
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 142 degrees to qualified ’s math students 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. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Mathematics at UC Santa Cruz
California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 78 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Mathematics at California State University - Sacramento
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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.
Cal Poly Pomona also took the #13 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Mathematics at Cal Poly Pomona
University of Southern California ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,345 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Mathematics at University of Southern California
California State University - East Bay ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $11,025 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Mathematics at California State University - East Bay
San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s math degrees to qualified students.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,274 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k 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%.
Full San Diego State University Mathematics Report
With a ranking of #18, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california math students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $13,194 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mathematics Report
San Jose State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 32 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $13,378 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 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 full report on Mathematics at San Jose State
With a ranking of #20, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Seaside, California, and it awarded 22 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUMB also took the #21 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $10,711 for California Math students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 CSUMB Mathematics Report
Occidental College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s math degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.
Oxy also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Occidental College is $13,475 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Mathematics at Oxy
Humboldt State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 17 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Humboldt State University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,298 for california math students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Read full report on Mathematics at Humboldt State University
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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.
