2027 Best Value General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools

[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 160 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
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2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in general psychology in the United States. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $30,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,920 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $64,812. That is a strong return on a $13,920 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for general psychology. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the general psychology program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general psychology. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,994 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $37,567 early in their careers. Set against $24,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,889 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $70,238. Set against $13,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,998. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $27,965. That is a strong return on a $12,998 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,897 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,511. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general psychology value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $59,316. Set against $21,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,625. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Florida State University earned the #11 position for value in general psychology this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $59,508 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. 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. General Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $30,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
California State University San Marcos ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,312 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $31,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,312 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $41,772. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #15 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $46,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
San Francisco State University ranked #16 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,803. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #17 spot for general psychology value this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,000. General Psychology graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,580 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida landed the #18 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $17,915 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $42,585. That is a strong return on a $17,915 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
San Jose State University earned the #19 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #20 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $29,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Marshall University earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,000. General Psychology graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $38,806 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary placed #23 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of New Orleans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,368.
American Public University System landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $31,973 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $47,524. Set against $31,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,977 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,803. That is a strong return on a $27,977 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
Other General Psychology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Psychology rankings across degree levels:
View All General Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 160 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.