[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1653 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
Finding the Best Value General Psychology School for You
The right general psychology school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Psychology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Psychology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in general psychology in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,470 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,923. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $31,706. Set against $10,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #3 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for general psychology. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,184. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $7,177 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,913. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Moorpark College earned the #7 position for value in general psychology this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,075. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $30,925 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Skyline College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
California State University Fullerton ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,998. General Psychology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $27,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,998 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #11 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,994 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,567. Set against $24,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,914. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #13 position for value in general psychology this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $29,727 early in their careers. Set against $13,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College placed #14 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $27,421. Set against $7,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #16 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $24,894. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida placed #19 among the best values for general psychology. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
College Of San Mateo landed the #20 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general psychology program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #21 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,920. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $46,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Bakersfield College landed the #22 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Cypress College placed #23 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $7,597 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $26,229. Set against $7,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno earned the #25 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,889. General Psychology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $48,898 early in their careers. Set against $13,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1653 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 979 ranked schools only.
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).
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
