2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
44
Ranked Colleges
7,597
Degrees Awarded
$11,500
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking.
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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 44 colleges that offered a degree 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college 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 Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education in California (With Aid)
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 129 students 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. It costs about $3,302 for california education students with aid per year to attend Cal State LA.
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
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #2 spot on the list. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 121 ’s education 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 California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for california education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, 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 87%.
Read full report on General Education at Fresno State
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 68 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,894 for california education students with aid per year to attend Stanford University.
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. 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%. 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
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Bakersfield landed the #4 spot on the list. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $7,454 for california education students with aid.
Read full report on General Education at CSUB
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - San Bernardino landed the #5 spot on the list. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 46 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSB also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for California Education students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about General Education at California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - Fullerton landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 255 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $8,003 for California Education students with aid per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
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 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%.
Read more about General Education at Cal State Fullerton
California State University - Sacramento came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 145 degrees to qualified ’s 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. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for California Education students with aid.
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%.
Read more about General Education at California State University - Sacramento
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 141 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,026 for California Education students with aid per year to attend CSUDH.
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%.
Read full report on General Education at California State University - Dominguez Hills
University of California - Los Angeles came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 222 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,023 for California Education students with aid per year to attend UCLA.
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 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 University of California - Los Angeles General Education Report
University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 127 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UCSD also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for california education students with aid.
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%. 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 did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 368 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best General Education Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $12,209 for California Education students with aid per year to attend University of California - Irvine.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.
Full University of California - Irvine General Education Report
With a ranking of #12, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 105 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,566 for California Education students with aid per year to attend Stan State.
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 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 California State University - Stanislaus General Education Report
California State University - Long Beach landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for California Education students with aid.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on General Education at CSULB
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 195 ’s 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 estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for california education students with aid.
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%.
Read more about General Education at UCR
With a ranking of #15, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 33 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,523 for California Education students with aid per year to attend CSUN.
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%.
Full CSUN General Education Report
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 145 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students with aid list, SDSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for California Education students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on General Education at San Diego State University
University of California - Davis landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 100 degrees to qualified ’s education students 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 $15,768 for California Education students with aid 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%.
Read full report on General Education at UC Davis
University of California - Berkeley ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 45 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california education students with aid list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $16,032 for california education students with aid.
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.
Read full report on General Education at University of California - Berkeley
San Jose State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 233 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for California Education students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on General Education at San Jose State University
California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. CSUSM is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $13,218 for California Education students with aid per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.
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 CSUSM General Education Report
San Francisco State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 128 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best General Education Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for california education students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on General Education at SFSU
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 42 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,304 for California Education students with aid per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.
Read full report on General Education at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
California State University - East Bay came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 25 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,298 for California Education students with aid per year to attend California State University - 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
California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 yearly cost to attend California State University - Monterey Bay is $13,597 for California Education students with aid.
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
California State University - Channel Islands landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Channel Islands is a medium-sized school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 17 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Channel Islands is $14,928 for California Education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at CSUCI
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