[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1324 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
Finding the Best Value General Psychology School for You
The general psychology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value General Psychology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,470 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $35,149. That is a strong return on a $13,470 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,250. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,913. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for general psychology. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. 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. General Psychology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #5 place for general psychology. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,925. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $30,184. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,994. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $37,567. That is a strong return on a $24,994 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cypress College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Santa Ana College came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. 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. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #11 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,707. General Psychology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #12 among the best values for general psychology. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $10,914 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,802. Set against $10,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Skyline College placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Moorpark College landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $12,998 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $27,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Florida placed #16 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,689. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Pasadena City College landed the #17 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $24,894. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,382. General Psychology graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus placed #19 among the best values for general psychology. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,920. General Psychology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Las Positas College earned the #20 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Foothill College earned the #21 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,500. General Psychology graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,110 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College landed the #23 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,275. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #24 for value in general psychology this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $28,189. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Santiago Canyon College placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 1324 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,324 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.
