2026 Best Value School Psychology Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in school psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value School Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University San Bernardino the best value for a degree in school psychology in California. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in school psychology will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $15,671. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $81,000. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the school psychology program here. School Psychology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno Pacific University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $60,890. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay placed #6 among the best values for school psychology. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $14,622. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $84,012. Set against $14,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Diego State University came in at #7 for value in school psychology this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the school psychology program here. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $84,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #8 position for value in school psychology this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the school psychology program here. School Psychology graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific landed the #9 spot for school psychology value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $23,514. School Psychology graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $79,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
La Sierra University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value school psychology schools. Located in the city of Riverside, La Sierra University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,710. Students borrow a median of $29,507 to complete the school psychology program here. Early-career school psychology graduates make about $83,990. Set against $29,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of La Verne came in at #11 for value in school psychology this year. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,470. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. School Psychology graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
California Baptist University earned the #12 position for value in school psychology this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the school psychology program here. School 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.
National University earned the #13 position for value in school psychology this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for school psychology graduates is $30,426. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from National University generally make around $57,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earned the #14 position for value in school psychology this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,540. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete the school psychology program here. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System generally make around $65,898. That is a strong return on a $27,471 median debt.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value school psychology schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. School Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school psychology degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $84,853. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
[School Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/school-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong school psychology education at a price that pays off.
