[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1653 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
For return on investment in general psychology, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,470. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,149. That is a strong return on a $13,470 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,923. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,706. That is a strong return on a $10,923 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for general psychology. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,184. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $36,913. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $27,965. Set against $12,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $24,994 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,567. That is a strong return on a $24,994 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,914. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,802 early in their careers. Set against $10,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,003. That is a strong return on a $16,897 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #11 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,920 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $29,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Fresno earned the #12 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $13,889 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $27,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,889 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuny York College placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $38,701. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #15 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,189. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #16 position for value in general psychology this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,607. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $28,118. That is a strong return on a $16,607 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $27,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #19 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #20 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,844. General Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $34,531 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #22 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,700 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $39,868. That is a strong return on a $11,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #24 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $17,426 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $34,660. Set against $17,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
California State University East Bay placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $37,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 925 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
