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

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

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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.

In 2020-2021, 32,731 people earned their degree in history, making the major the 23rd most popular in the United States. 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 27 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The history school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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 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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 344 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california history students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

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 undergrad 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%.

Full UCLA History Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 149 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california history students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,999 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Berkeley.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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 full report on History at UC Berkeley

3

Out of the 27 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 - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $4,655 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read more about History at Fresno State

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 91 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $2,701 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at Cal State LA

5

Out of the 27 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 - Davis landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 120 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,598 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k 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 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%.

Read more about History at University of California - Davis

6

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 51 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

Stan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on History at Stan State

7

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california history students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $11,176 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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 History at UCSD

8

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,821 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - 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 History at Cal State Fullerton

9

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 161 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,606 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

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

Full UCSB History Report

10

California State University - Long Beach ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 164 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $7,573 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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 89%.

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. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 134 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california history students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCR has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,193 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Riverside History Report

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 took the #13 spot in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento 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%.

Full Sac State History Report

13

California State University - Northridge came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 109 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

CSUN also took the #17 spot in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $7,103 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on History at California State University - Northridge

14

University of California - Irvine came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 95 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california history students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,449 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Irvine.

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 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Irvine History Report

15

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

In addition to being on our california history students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUSB has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $6,613 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 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 USC is $17,345 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. 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.

Read more about History at USC

17

With a ranking of #17, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 135 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california history students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full UC Santa Cruz History Report

18
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $9,274 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full SDSU History Report

19

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 46 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $3,329 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%.

Read more about History at CSUDH

20

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 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 a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california history students whose families make $30-$48k list, SFSU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best History Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $11,862 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at San Francisco State University

22

With a ranking of #22, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSM is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 70 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSM also made our “Best History Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $10,348 for california history students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

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. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 64 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $13,194 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about History at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

24
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

SSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sonoma State University is $13,983 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on History at Sonoma State University

25

California State University - Chico landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 69 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best History Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $13,040 for California History students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Chico State History Report

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References

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