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2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

22 Ranked Colleges
1,195 Degrees Awarded
$28,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Psychology is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 7th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 183,889 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,496 and had an average of $36,227 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 37,071 psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,748 and $53,340 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,195 psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,544 and $133,402 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in psychology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent psychology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the psychology program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Psychology Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Psychology (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 12 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Psychology at Stanford University

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at UC Berkeley

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 doctorate’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

UCLA also made our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Psychology at UCLA

#4

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #7 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670.

Read full report on Psychology at UCSB

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified doctorate’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456.

Full University of California - Irvine Psychology Report

#6

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#25 in overall quality

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658.

Read more about Psychology at San Diego State University

#24 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 12 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at University of California - Riverside

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at University of California - Davis

#18 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 19 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also made our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Read more about Psychology at UCSD

#10

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#10 in overall quality

University of Southern California ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Psychology at University of Southern California

#11

Touro University Worldwide

Los Alamitos, California
#15 in overall quality

Touro University Worldwide landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Los Alamitos, California, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, TUW has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Touro University Worldwide are $9,000.

Read full report on Psychology at TUW

#12

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 3 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at UC Santa Cruz

University of California - Merced came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at UC Merced

#14

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Thousand Oaks, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 degrees to qualified doctorate’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CLU are $20,600, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California Lutheran University Psychology Report

#15

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#11 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Azusa, California, and it awarded 25 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571.

Full Azusa Pacific Psychology Report

#16

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California

With a ranking of #16, University of the Pacific did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pacific is located in Stockton, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Pacific are $49,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of the Pacific Psychology Report

#17

Biola University

La Mirada, California
#21 in overall quality

Biola University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Biola University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Mirada, California. It awarded 17 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Biola has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Biola University are $11,772.

Read full report on Psychology at Biola

The University of Arizona Global Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. UAGC is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Arizona Global Campus are $14,664, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at The University of Arizona Global Campus

#19

University of La Verne

La Verne, California

University of La Verne did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. ULV is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Verne, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of La Verne are $14,526, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at University of La Verne

#20

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#23 in overall quality

University of San Francisco landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of San Francisco is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 8 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

USFCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710.

Full USFCA Psychology Report

#21

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
#16 in overall quality

Pepperdine University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Malibu, California, and it awarded 29 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Pepperdine also took the #16 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Pepperdine University are $36,320.

Read more about Psychology at Pepperdine University

#22

Chapman University

Orange, California

With a ranking of #22, Chapman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chapman University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Orange, California. It awarded 1 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman are $35,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Psychology at Chapman

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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