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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

22 Ranked Colleges
164 Degrees Awarded
$26,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master's in California For Those Getting Aid

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 Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Sociology is the 24th most popular major in the country with 37,807 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, sociology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,727 and had an average of $23,622 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 14,493 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,922 and $18,563 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 164 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great sociology 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 sociology program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The sociology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid”.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 22 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology in California (With Aid)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

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

Full Stanford University Sociology Report

#18 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

CSUDH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Sociology 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 California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884.

Full CSUDH Sociology Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students with aid list, Cal State LA has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Sociology 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 California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Los Angeles

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 11 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #9 spot in our “Best Sociology 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.

Full California State University - Northridge Sociology Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Fullerton

#5 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 8 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students with aid list, UC Irvine has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Irvine

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 11 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Read full report on Sociology at UCLA

#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 9 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Sociology 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 University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Full UC Berkeley Sociology Report

#9

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#8 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read more about Sociology at San Diego State University

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSULB Sociology Report

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Sacramento Sociology Report

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Sociology 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 University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Read more about Sociology at UCSD

#13

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCR Sociology Report

#14

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#11 in overall quality

San Jose State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at San Jose State

#15

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSB Sociology Report

California State University - San Marcos landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 10 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at CSUSM

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Davis

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. UC Merced is a medium-sized school located in Merced, California that handed out 6 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students with aid list, UC Merced has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Sociology 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 University of California - Merced are $43,854.

Read full report on Sociology at UC Merced

#19

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#19 in overall quality

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students with aid list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Humboldt State University

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 1 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Sociology 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 Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read more about Sociology at UC Santa Cruz

#13 in overall quality

The University of Arizona Global Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 17 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UAGC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UAGC are $14,664, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#22

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of Southern California ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at USC

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 Kontos.

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