by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 1653 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general psychology, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,184. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,920 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $64,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,923 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $31,706 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,998 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. 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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in general psychology this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for value in general psychology this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,511. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,897. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,603. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #11 for value in general psychology this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $59,508. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $41,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $31,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,915. General Psychology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $42,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,915 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rice University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,505 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Rice University earn a median of $41,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,505 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
San Francisco State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,803 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #17 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $30,565. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #20 position for value in general psychology this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $59,076. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $46,534. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #22 spot for general psychology value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,751. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $52,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Utah State University landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,461 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $58,854. Set against $18,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University landed the #25 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $31,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology value ranking:
Explore the best-value general psychology schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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 154 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
