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2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

28 Ranked Colleges
1,315 Degrees Awarded
$23,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 134,326 general psychology students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country.

Across California, there were 27,163 general psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,315 general psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 28 colleges that offered a degree in general psychology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general psychology programs and cost less that 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 general psychology program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The psychology 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 Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Psychology (Income $0-$30k) in California

#18 in overall quality

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 15 degrees to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Fresno State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Fresno General Psychology Report

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at University of California - Los Angeles

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 33 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Long Beach

#21 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 29 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State Fullerton General Psychology Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 20 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Dominguez Hills

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Psychology at Stan State

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#13 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at SDSU

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 20 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Psychology at CSUSB

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Psychology at UC Davis

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Northridge

#16 in overall quality

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 12 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’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 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Read more about General Psychology at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

#12

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Psychology at USC

#13

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#12 in overall quality

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 28 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Psychology Master’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 San Jose State are $18,790.

Read full report on General Psychology at San Jose State

#24 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 10 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - San Marcos

California State University - Sacramento landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Sacramento

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 12 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona General Psychology Report

#17

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#20 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 44 diplomas to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Francisco State University General Psychology Report

#18

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#17 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read full report on General Psychology at UC Santa Cruz

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 27 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Chico State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Chico General Psychology Report

#20

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
#25 in overall quality

Sonoma State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Rohnert Park, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

SSU also made our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SSU are $18,890.

Read full report on General Psychology at SSU

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. UC Merced is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 2 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Merced, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’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 University of California - Merced are $43,854.

Read full report on General Psychology at UC Merced

#22

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Humboldt State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 30 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802.

Full Humboldt State University General Psychology Report

#23

National University

La Jolla, California
#19 in overall quality

National University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. National University is a fairly large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 60 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, National University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full National University General Psychology Report

#15 in overall quality

The University of Arizona Global Campus landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Arizona Global Campus is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 376 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UAGC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Arizona Global Campus are $14,664, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Arizona Global Campus General Psychology Report

#25

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California
#14 in overall quality

University of the Pacific came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of the Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stockton, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pacific has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’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 University of the Pacific are $49,374.

Read more about General 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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to BruceBlaus.

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