Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

General Economics

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for General Economics in California (With Aid)

37 Ranked Colleges
2,323 Degrees Awarded
$12,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor's in California For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Economics is the 22nd most popular major in the country with 31,150 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across California, there were 5,348 general economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 2,323 general economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,907 and $21,546 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 37 colleges that offered a degree in general economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general economics programs and 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 general economics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank General Economics Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for General Economics in California (With Aid)

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $2,768 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at Cal State LA

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#1 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 #2 for the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 131 bachelors’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,279 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at University of California - Los Angeles

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 349 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $14,783 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on General Economics at UC Irvine

#18 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 51 bachelors’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $7,991 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full California State University - Fullerton General Economics Report

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #5 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 30 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $5,464 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Fresno State General Economics Report

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 154 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,871 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at University of California - Riverside

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 bachelors’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,019 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid per year to attend Stan State.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at Stan State

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s general economics degrees to 118 students in 2019-2020.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,414 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CSUN General Economics Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 69 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,622 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Long Beach General Economics Report

#10

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#10 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 236 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,788 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid per year to attend San Diego State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full SDSU General Economics Report

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 24 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,318 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid per year to attend CSUB.

Read full report on General Economics at California State University - Bakersfield

#16 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s general economics degrees to 195 students in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $9,979 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at Sac State

#13

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 35 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $7,342 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about General Economics at California State University - San Bernardino

#14

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 127 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s general economics students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,928 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid per year to attend San Jose State.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at San Jose State University

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Channel Islands ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Camarillo, California, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid list, CSUCI has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,558 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid per year to attend CSUCI.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at California State University - Channel Islands

With a ranking of #16, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 66 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,399 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.

The low student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at California State University - San Marcos

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 44 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,734 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

#18

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 76 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid list, SFSU has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $15,113 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid.

Read more about General Economics at San Francisco State University

#19

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 125 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $18,186 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UC Santa Cruz General Economics Report

California State University - East Bay landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 27 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,116 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

Full California State University - East Bay General Economics Report

#6 in overall quality

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 52 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $21,595 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about General Economics at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

University of California - Merced came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Merced is located in Merced, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 bachelors’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,896 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid per year to attend University of California - Merced.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at University of California - Merced

#23

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
#19 in overall quality

Sonoma State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 bachelors’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,478 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid per year to attend Sonoma State University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at Sonoma State University

#25 in overall quality

California State University - Chico landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 33 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best General Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,017 for California Bachelor’s Degree General Economics students with aid per year to attend California State University - Chico.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at California State University - Chico

#25

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $14,692 for california bachelor’s degree general economics students with aid.

Read full report on General Economics at Humboldt State University

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

Featured Economics Schools

Find Schools Near You