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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Psychology (Income $30-$48k) in California

69 Ranked Colleges
29,992 Degrees Awarded
$8,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 141,695 general psychology students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, general psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,326 and had an average of $26,018 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 29,992 general psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,807 and $22,757 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 69 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general psychology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general psychology 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 psychology program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The psychology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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 Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Psychology (Income $30-$48k) in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 684 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,891 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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%.

Read full report on General Psychology at UCLA

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 483 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $4,655 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on General Psychology at Fresno State

3

Out of the 69 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 511 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $3,329 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Dominguez Hills

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 367 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Psychology at UC Irvine

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 812 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,821 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Fullerton

6

With a ranking of #6, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 216 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $11,176 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Psychology at University of California - San Diego

7

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 414 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Stanislaus

8

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 535 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $7,573 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 California State University - Long Beach General Psychology Report

9

California State University - Northridge came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 881 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for california psychology 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%.

Full California State University - Northridge General Psychology Report

10

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 585 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,613 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUSB.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.

Full CSUSB General Psychology Report

11
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

With a ranking of #11, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mt. San Antonio College is a public institution located in Walnut, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 385 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,035 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Mt. SAC.

Read more about General Psychology at Mt. San Antonio College

12
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College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. This fairly large school is located in Santa Clarita, California, and it awarded 263 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,747 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of the Canyons.

Full College of the Canyons General Psychology Report

13

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. California State University - Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 609 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Sac State also made our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,055 for california psychology 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 more about General Psychology at Sac State

14

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. CSUB is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 280 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUB is $6,046 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Bakersfield

15

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 520 ’s psychology 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 General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $12,049 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, 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 General Psychology at University of California - Santa Cruz

16
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #16, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 638 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $9,274 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Diego State University General Psychology Report

17

California State University - East Bay ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 430 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $11,025 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at Cal State East Bay

18
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 515 students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also made our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $13,378 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Jose State.

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%.

Full San Jose State General Psychology Report

19
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 188 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,345 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USC.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full University of Southern California General Psychology Report

20

University of California - Davis came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $11,598 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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 Psychology at University of California - Davis

21

California State University - San Marcos came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 336 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,348 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.

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%.

Full California State University - San Marcos General Psychology Report

22
College of the Sequoias crest
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $1,289 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.

Read more about General Psychology at College of the Sequoias

23

With a ranking of #23, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 374 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,992 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, 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 87%.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona General Psychology Report

24

California State University - Channel Islands came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Camarillo, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 356 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Channel Islands is $13,125 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at CSUCI

25
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

With a ranking of #25, Fresno City College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school handed out 171 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno City College is $3,014 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Fresno City College General Psychology Report

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