College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for History (Income $30-$48k) in California

29 Ranked Colleges
5,392 Degrees Awarded
$9,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

History is the 30th most popular major in the country with 32,731 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, history graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,467 and had an average of $23,587 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 5,392 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,322 and $18,158 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 29 colleges that offered a degree in history. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great history programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

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

More Ways to Rank History Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More History Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for History (Income $30-$48k) in California

1

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 344 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,891 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at UCLA

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 149 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also took the #3 spot in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $9,999 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about History at University of California - Berkeley

3

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 History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 89 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,655 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Fresno State.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on History at Fresno State

4

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State LA also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $2,701 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Cal State LA History Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 120 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $11,598 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full University of California - Davis History Report

6

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 51 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stan State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,903 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stan State.

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

Full California State University - Stanislaus History Report

7

With a ranking of #7, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 80 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,176 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCSD.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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 94%.

Read more about History at UCSD

8

California State University - Fullerton came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 145 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california history students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $5,821 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full California State University - Fullerton History Report

9

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 161 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $11,606 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about History at UCSB

10

California State University - Long Beach landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 164 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $7,573 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k 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.

Read full report on History at CSULB

11

University of California - Riverside came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCR is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 134 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $8,193 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 History at University of California - Riverside

12

California State University - Sacramento ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 145 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $9,055 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 History at Sac State

13

California State University - Northridge ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 109 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

CSUN also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $7,103 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

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%.

Full CSUN History Report

14

University of California - Irvine ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $8,449 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Irvine.

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

Read full report on History at University of California - Irvine

15

With a ranking of #15, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 72 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $6,613 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on History at CSUSB

16
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 90 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,345 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at USC

17

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 135 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,049 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.

Read full report on History at University of California - Santa Cruz

18
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #18, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 83 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,274 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SDSU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.

Full SDSU History Report

19

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $3,329 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 History Report

20

With a ranking of #20, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 67 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $12,992 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona History Report

21
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #21, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

SFSU also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $11,862 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 History at San Francisco State University

22

California State University - San Marcos ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 70 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $10,348 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about History at California State University - San Marcos

23

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 64 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $13,194 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

24
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This medium-sized school is located in Rohnert Park, California, and it awarded 49 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

SSU also took the #19 spot in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SSU is $13,983 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 History at SSU

25

California State University - Chico ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 69 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,040 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Chico.

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%.

Full California State University - Chico History Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options