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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $75-$110k) in California

42 Ranked Colleges
7,597 Degrees Awarded
$17,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k

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 Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking - to help you make that 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 $75-$110k” ranking looked at 42 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.

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

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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 $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $75-$110k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, 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 $75-$110k. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 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 is $13,623 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, 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.

Read more about General Education at Stanford

2

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 $75-$110k. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 129 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $75-$110k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $10,011 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 121 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $12,789 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read full report on General Education at Fresno State

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 255 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $12,977 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. 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 California State University - Fullerton

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - San Bernardino. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $14,338 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Education at CSUSB

6

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 136 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,441 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.

Read full report on General Education at California State University - Bakersfield

7

California State University - Sacramento came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k 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.

In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $75-$110k list, Sac State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $16,925 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read more about General Education at California State University - Sacramento

8

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 222 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $20,697 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCLA General Education Report

9

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. 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.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $11,085 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at California State University - Dominguez Hills

10

University of California - Davis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 100 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $18,728 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Education at UC Davis

11

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. CSULB 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 $15,101 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. 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 California State University - Long Beach

12

University of California - Irvine ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 368 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,567 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full University of California - Irvine General Education Report

13

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $12,642 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Stan State General Education Report

14

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 127 diplomas to qualified ’s education 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 $20,906 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about General Education at University of California - San Diego

15

University of California - Berkeley came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. 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 $21,601 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UC Berkeley.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at University of California - Berkeley

16

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 195 ’s 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 $16,887 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full UCR General Education Report

17
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #17, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Diego State University is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 145 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $18,957 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SDSU.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Education at SDSU

18

California State University - Northridge landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 33 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,380 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

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%.

Read full report on General Education at CSUN

19
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k 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.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $21,035 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 San Jose State University General Education Report

20

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 42 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $18,166 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 more about General Education at Cal Poly Pomona

21

California State University - San Marcos ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. CSUSM is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 43 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,439 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CSUSM.

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%.

Full CSUSM General Education Report

22
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. 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. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $20,159 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SFSU General Education Report

23

California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Seaside, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $18,412 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

24
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #24. Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 259 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california education students whose families make $75-$110k list, Azusa Pacific has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $30,578 for california education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Azusa Pacific University.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Full Azusa Pacific University General Education Report

25

With a ranking of #25, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $18,874 for California Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 full report on General Education at Cal State East Bay

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