[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1324 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
Finding the Best Value General Psychology School for You
Where you study general psychology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value General Psychology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Psychology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,470 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,923 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $36,913. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #4 place for general psychology. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $7,177. General Psychology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,177 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #5 place for general psychology. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny City College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $30,184 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $24,994 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $37,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cypress College earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,196. General Psychology graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #12 among the best values for general psychology. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,914. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,914 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Skyline College earned the #13 position for value in general psychology this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Moorpark College landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,998 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Florida earned the #16 position for value in general psychology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $51,689. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Pasadena City College came in at #17 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $24,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #19 for value in general psychology this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,920. General Psychology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,941 early in their careers. Set against $13,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Las Positas College came in at #20 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Foothill College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $94,152. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Diablo Valley College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $7,110. General Psychology graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $7,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino placed #24 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $28,189 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #25 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
General Psychology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 1324 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,324 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).
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
