2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k
42
Ranked Colleges
7,597
Degrees Awarded
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 29,810 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 41st most popular in the United States. 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 42 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general education programs that also have a lower cost than 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 education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank General Education 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 Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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 Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $48-$75k) in California
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 Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $7,081 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about General Education at Stanford University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 129 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $5,700 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Los Angeles General Education Report
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. Fresno State 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 $8,030 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Fresno State General Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 222 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #3 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $12,644 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 full report on 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 $48-$75k. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 45 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,423 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UC Berkeley.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UC Berkeley General Education Report
California State University - San Bernardino landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,854 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUSB.
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 undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Education at CSUSB
California State University - Fullerton came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 255 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,017 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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 89%.
Full California State University - Fullerton General Education Report
California State University - Bakersfield landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSUB is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 136 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,102 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUB.
Read full report on General Education at California State University - Bakersfield
With a ranking of #9, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 368 students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $13,275 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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.
Full UC Irvine General Education Report
California State University - Sacramento landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 145 students in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $12,602 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Read full report on General Education at California State University - Sacramento
University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 127 students in 2020-2021.
UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $14,310 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at University of California - San Diego
California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 141 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,333 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Dominguez Hills General Education Report
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Stan State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 105 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,976 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Stan State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.
Read full report on General Education at Stan State
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 195 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $11,126 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UCR General Education Report
With a ranking of #15, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 100 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,193 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Davis General Education Report
California State University - Long Beach came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $11,189 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.
Read full report on General Education at California State University - Long Beach
San Diego State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
SDSU also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $14,698 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, 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.
Read more about General Education at SDSU
California State University - Northridge ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $10,780 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about General Education at CSUN
San Jose State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 233 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,338 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Jose State.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read more about General Education at San Jose State
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $15,958 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 2.6% 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 Cal Poly Pomona
California State University - San Marcos came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 43 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $14,309 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Read more about General Education at CSUSM
San Francisco State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 128 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,065 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SFSU.
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%.
Full SFSU General Education Report
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSUMB is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUMB is $14,319 for California Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at CSUMB
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 $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 25 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,615 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cal State East Bay.
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 full report on General Education at Cal State East Bay
With a ranking of #25, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Azusa, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 259 students in 2020-2021.
Azusa Pacific also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific is $28,538 for california education students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full Azusa Pacific University General Education Report
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