2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in California
43
Ranked Colleges
7,597
Degrees Awarded
$7,300
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 29,810 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 31st most popular in the United States.
Across California, there were 7,597 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 43 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 68 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,233 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stanford University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about General Education at Stanford
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 129 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $1,887 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Cal State LA General Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $3,859 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Education at Fresno State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 222 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UCLA General Education Report
Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 45 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $8,450 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Berkeley General Education Report
With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 255 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full California State University - Fullerton General Education Report
With a ranking of #7, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 127 students in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,823 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCSD General Education Report
University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 368 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
UC Irvine also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $6,540 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Irvine.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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 Education at UC Irvine
California State University - San Bernardino ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.
CSUSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,985 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Education at CSUSB
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 145 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,163 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Sacramento General Education Report
California State University - Bakersfield came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 136 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,238 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.
Full California State University - Bakersfield General Education Report
California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 141 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,657 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 Education at California State University - Dominguez Hills
California State University - Stanislaus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 105 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,122 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Education at California State University - Stanislaus
University of California - Riverside ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 195 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $6,810 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at UCR
California State University - Long Beach came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $6,663 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Long Beach General Education Report
University of California - Davis ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 100 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,006 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Davis.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Davis General Education Report
With a ranking of #17, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 145 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $7,169 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Education at San Diego State University
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad 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 Education at California State University - Northridge
San Jose State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 233 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,158 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full San Jose State University General Education Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 42 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $10,349 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona General Education Report
San Francisco State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 128 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general education students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFSU has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $10,705 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at San Francisco State University
California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUMB is a medium-sized public school situated in Seaside, California. It awarded 68 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,192 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Monterey Bay.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full CSUMB General Education Report
With a ranking of #23, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $9,397 for california general education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - San Marcos General Education Report
California State University - East Bay came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $9,975 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 more about General Education at Cal State East Bay
California State University - Channel Islands landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Camarillo, California, and it awarded 17 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUCI is $12,011 for California General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at California State University - Channel Islands
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