2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked Saddleback College the best value for a degree in psychology in the United States. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the psychology program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for psychology. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,177 in student loans. Psychology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,177 median debt.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #4. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Fresno City College landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,802 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $27,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College placed #7 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Hartnell College came in at #8 for value in psychology this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $6,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $24,894. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the psychology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
San Diego Mesa College placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $7,597 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,229. That is a strong return on a $7,597 median debt.
De Anza College came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Merced College earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $6,849 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,441. That is a strong return on a $6,849 median debt.
Solano Community College placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
El Camino Community College District placed #17 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College landed the #18 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,110 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Riverside City College placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #22 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Foothill College placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $94,152. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $16,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
Other Psychology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Psychology rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 1829 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
