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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

36 Ranked Colleges
1,902 Degrees Awarded
$25,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Social Sciences is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 205,726 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $34,801 and had an average of $23,466 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 50,479 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,934 and $19,309 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,902 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great social sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (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 Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 73 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’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 full report on Social Sciences at Stanford

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s 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. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UC Berkeley

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’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 UC Irvine are $28,456.

Full University of California - Irvine Social Sciences Report

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 142 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. CSUDH is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at California State University - Dominguez Hills

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 68 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at California State University - Los Angeles

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 47 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at California State University - Fullerton

#10 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 140 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of California - San Diego

#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’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 CSUN are $17,955.

Read full report on Social Sciences at California State University - Northridge

California State University - Fresno landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 11 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fresno Social Sciences Report

#16 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #16 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at CSULB

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 96 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also made our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at San Diego State University

#13

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of California - Riverside

#14

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 46 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of California - Santa Barbara

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UC Davis

California State University - Sacramento ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Sacramento Social Sciences Report

#17

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUSB Social Sciences Report

#24 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. CSUSM is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 10 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at CSUSM

#19

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 149 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at USC

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k 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 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’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 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

#21

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#25 in overall quality

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at San Jose State University

With a ranking of #22, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of California - Merced

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona

#24

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#17 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz

#25

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 33 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Full SFSU Social Sciences Report

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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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