2027 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in California
[Women's Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/womens-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for women’s studies students.
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2027 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in women’s studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
West Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among women's studies schools in California. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for women's studies. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at Citrus College, which ranked #4. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in women's studies this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $19,000. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $25,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Fresno ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,598. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #8 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Fullerton College came in at #9 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
De Anza College earned the #10 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,000. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Sacramento City College came in at #13 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #14 position for value in women's studies this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Diablo Valley College earned the #16 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College came in at #17 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Fresno City College landed the #18 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #19 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #20 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $18,120. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,628. Set against $18,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University San Marcos earned the #21 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $17,527. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach placed #22 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,187 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $27,726. That is a strong return on a $12,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Ohlone Community College placed #23 among the best values for women's studies. Ohlone Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fremont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,202, while out-of-state students pay about $8,714. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $22,545. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Francisco State University placed #24 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $17,875. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $49,716. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Los Angeles College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in women’s studies:
More Women's Studies Rankings
View All Women’s Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
