2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in California
43
Ranked Colleges
7,597
Degrees Awarded
$7,300
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
General Education is the 41st most popular major in the country with 29,810 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,719 and had an average of $23,394 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 7,597 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,160 and $26,891 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 43 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general education programs and 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank General Education Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california 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 Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 68 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $1,233 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on General Education at Stanford University
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 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 education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $1,887 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read full report on General Education at Cal State LA
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 Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 121 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full Fresno State General Education Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 222 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.
Read more about General Education at UCLA
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Education at UC Berkeley
California State University - Fullerton came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 255 students in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for California 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 2.5% 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%.
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 Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 127 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Education at University of California - San Diego
University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 368 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $6,540 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, 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 UC Irvine General Education Report
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 145 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Sac State also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $8,163 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Sacramento General Education Report
California State University - San Bernardino landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUSB has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $5,985 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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
California State University - Bakersfield ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 136 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,238 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUB.
Full California State University - Bakersfield General Education Report
California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $2,657 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.
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 ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 105 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $4,122 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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.
Full Stan State General Education Report
University of California - Riverside ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 195 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UCR also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $6,810 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full UCR General Education Report
California State University - Long Beach ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,663 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full California State University - Long Beach General Education Report
University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 100 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $10,006 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Davis.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at UC Davis
With a ranking of #17, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 145 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $7,169 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Full SDSU General Education Report
California State University - Northridge ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 33 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge General Education Report
San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. San Jose State is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 233 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $0-$30k list, San Jose State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,158 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad 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 San Jose State University General Education Report
With a ranking of #20, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 42 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $10,349 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Education at Cal Poly Pomona
San Francisco State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 128 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFSU has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,705 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Francisco State University.
The low undergrad 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%.
Full SFSU General Education Report
California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Seaside, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 68 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUMB is $9,192 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 California State University - Monterey Bay General Education Report
With a ranking of #23, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value 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 education degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $9,397 for California Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full CSUSM General Education Report
California State University - East Bay came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 25 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $9,975 for california education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at California State University - East Bay
California State University - Channel Islands ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Camarillo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Channel Islands is $12,011 for california 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 CSUCI
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