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2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California

21 Ranked Colleges
857 Degrees Awarded
$24,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California” ranking.

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology is the 37th most popular major in the country with 31,746 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, clinical, counseling and applied psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $45,872 and had an average of $65,193 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 5,653 clinical, counseling and applied psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $51,348 and $87,945 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 857 clinical, counseling and applied psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,544 and $133,402 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in clinical, counseling and applied psychology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great clinical, counseling and applied psychology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the clinical, counseling and applied psychology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools

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 Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California.

Top 23 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology in California

#1

Fielding Graduate University

Santa Barbara, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fielding Graduate University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Fielding is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 55 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Fielding also made our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fielding Graduate University are $17,296, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Fielding Graduate University Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Report

#2

Biola University

La Mirada, California

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Biola University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in La Mirada, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s clinical psychology students in 2019-2020.

Biola not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Biola University are $11,772.

Full Biola Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Report

#3

Touro University Worldwide

Los Alamitos, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Touro University Worldwide. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. TUW is a small school located in Los Alamitos, California that handed out 17 doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

TUW also took the #6 spot in our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at TUW are $9,000, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at Touro University Worldwide

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #4 spot on the list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 12 doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also made our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at University of California - San Diego

#5

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Full SDSU Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Report

#6

California Institute of Integral Studies

San Francisco, California
#10 in overall quality

California Institute of Integral Studies came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. CIIS is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CIIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Integral Studies are $22,188, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California Institute of Integral Studies Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Report

#9 in overall quality

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Irvine landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Irvine, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

The Chicago School Irvine Campus also took the #9 spot in our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The Chicago School Irvine Campus are $23,576, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The Chicago School Irvine Campus Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Report

#9

Palo Alto University

Palo Alto, California

Palo Alto University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #9. Palo Alto University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Palo Alto, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 107 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology also made our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Palo Alto University are $32,341.

Read full report on Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at Pacific Graduate School of Psychology

#10

Alliant International University

San Diego, California

Alliant International University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Located in San Diego, California, this small private for-profit school handed out 241 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s clinical psychology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree clinical psychology students list, Alliant has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Alliant International University are $24,615, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at Alliant

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #11. The Chicago School Los Angeles Campus is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 88 doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees to qualified students.

The Chicago School Los Angeles Campus also made our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at The Chicago School Los Angeles Campus are $23,576, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at The Chicago School Los Angeles Campus

#12

University of La Verne

La Verne, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of La Verne did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. La Verne, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

ULV not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ULV are $14,526.

Full University of La Verne Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Report

#14

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California
#16 in overall quality

California Lutheran University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #14. California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Thousand Oaks, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CLU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CLU are $20,600, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at CLU

#15

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, California
#13 in overall quality

Loma Linda University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #15. Loma Linda University is located in Loma Linda, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree clinical psychology students list, Loma Linda University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loma Linda University are $30,640.

Full Loma Linda University Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Report

#16

Antioch University - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Antioch University - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Antioch University - Santa Barbara also made our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at Antioch University - Santa Barbara are $19,303, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Antioch University - Santa Barbara Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Report

#17

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#12 in overall quality

University of San Francisco ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. USFCA is located in San Francisco, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees to qualified students.

USFCA also made our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at USFCA

#18

Pacifica Graduate Institute

Carpinteria, California

Pacifica Graduate Institute landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Pacifica Graduate Institute is a small private for-profit school situated in Carpinteria, California. It awarded 23 doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Pacifica Graduate Institute did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pacifica Graduate Institute are $26,950, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute

#19

The Wright Institute

Berkeley, California

With a ranking of #19, The Wright Institute did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. This small school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 63 doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at The Wright Institute, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The Wright Institute are $37,650.

Read full report on Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at The Wright Institute

#20

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California

Pepperdine University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Malibu, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

Pepperdine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Pepperdine University are $36,320.

Read full report on Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at Pepperdine University

#21

Saybrook University

Oakland, California
#21 in overall quality

Saybrook University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #21. Saybrook University is a small school located in Oakland, California that handed out 2 doctorate’s clinical psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree clinical psychology students list, Saybrook University has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saybrook University are $25,206, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at Saybrook University

#21

Chapman University

Orange, California
#18 in overall quality

Chapman University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Orange, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Chapman also took the #18 spot in our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman University are $35,105.

Read more about Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at Chapman University

#23

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, University of the Pacific did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Clinical Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Located in Stockton, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s clinical psychology students in 2019-2020.

Pacific also took the #19 spot in our “Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of the Pacific are $49,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology at University of the Pacific

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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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