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2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California

37 Ranked Colleges
3,115 Degrees Awarded
$12,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor's in California

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 History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 32,905 people earned their degree in history, making the major the 30th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, history graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,593 and had an average of $23,490 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 5,424 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,877 and $19,249 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,115 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,907 and $21,546 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California” ranking analyzed 37 colleges that offered a degree in history. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality history 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 history program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank History 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 History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california bachelor’s degree history students.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for History in California

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #1 spot on the list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s history degrees to 143 students in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #14 spot in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,622 for california bachelor’s degree history students per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

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

Read more about History at California State University - Long Beach

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #2 spot on the list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 64 bachelors’s history degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $21,595 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on History at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 97 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree history students list, Fresno State has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,464 for california bachelor’s degree history students per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%. 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 California State University - Fresno

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 75 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,414 for california bachelor’s degree history students per year to attend CSUN.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at CSUN

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 319 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $14,279 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students 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 student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at University of California - Los Angeles

California State University - San Marcos came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. CSUSM is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 78 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $13,399 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at CSUSM

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #8. UCSB is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 174 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $15,884 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at UCSB

#9

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 48 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $14,928 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, 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 students.

Read full report on History at San Jose State University

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 58 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,019 for california bachelor’s degree history students per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

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 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 California State University - Stanislaus

#11

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #11, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 78 bachelors’s history degrees to qualified students.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,113 for california bachelor’s degree history students per year to attend San Francisco State University.

Full SFSU History Report

California State University - Chico came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 68 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $15,017 for california bachelor’s degree history students.

The 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 History at California State University - Chico

California State University - Fullerton came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 103 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #19 spot in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $7,991 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at California State University - Fullerton

#14

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #14. This medium-sized school is located in Rohnert Park, California, and it awarded 61 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree history students list, SSU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sonoma State University is $17,478 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 Sonoma State University History Report

University of California - San Diego came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 90 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree history students list, UCSD has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $14,232 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on History at University of California - San Diego

University of California - Davis ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 113 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $14,669 for california bachelor’s degree history students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, 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.

Full UC Davis History Report

University of California - Irvine ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 73 degrees to qualified bachelors’s history students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,783 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students per year to attend UC Irvine.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, 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%.

Full University of California - Irvine History Report

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #18. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 76 bachelors’s history degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree history students list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $12,734 for california bachelor’s degree history students.

The low student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Cal Poly Pomona History Report

#19

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

With a ranking of #19, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 119 bachelors’s history degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree history students list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $15,329 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students.

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 low student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 University of California - Berkeley History Report

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 111 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,979 for california bachelor’s degree history students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 Sac State History Report

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #21. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 61 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $2,768 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at California State University - Los Angeles

#21

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

With a ranking of #21, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s history degrees to 64 students in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,788 for California Bachelor’s Degree History students per year to attend San Diego State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at San Diego State University

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified bachelors’s history students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $4,215 for california bachelor’s degree history students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at CSUDH

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #24. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 37 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,318 for california bachelor’s degree history students per year to attend CSUB.

Full California State University - Bakersfield History Report

#25

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

With a ranking of #25, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 83 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,342 for california bachelor’s degree history students 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.

Read more about History at CSUSB

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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