2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in California
[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 73 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Long Beach the best value for a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology in California. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $81,000. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $47,204. Set against $14,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #3 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $81,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #6 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego placed #7 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $26,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $45,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University came in at #10 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $60,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $84,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #12 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $84,055. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #13 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Touro University Worldwide came in at #14 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,640. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $32,289. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Touro University Worldwide generally make around $61,331. Set against $32,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $80,727. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Redlands landed the #16 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $57,218. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific landed the #17 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $79,628. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Mount St Marys College placed #18 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Mount St Marys College generally make around $41,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount St Marys College admits about 73% of applicants.
William Jessup University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. William Jessup University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,420. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of William Jessup University earn a median of $46,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Jessup University admits about 93% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University College placed #20 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Azusa Pacific University College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,360. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $46,561 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Azusa Pacific University College earn a median of $49,910 early in their careers.
California Lutheran University earned the #21 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,560. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $72,291. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of La Verne ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.
La Sierra University landed the #23 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. La Sierra University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $37,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $29,507. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from La Sierra University generally make around $83,990. Set against $29,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Sierra University admits about 92% of applicants.
California Baptist University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $55,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Simpson University came in at #25 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Redding, Simpson University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,708. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $22,648. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Simpson University generally make around $59,718. Set against $22,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology:
More Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
