[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1653 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for general psychology in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,470. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $35,149 early in their careers. Set against $13,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,923 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $30,184. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,000. General Psychology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $30,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for general psychology. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $36,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,998. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $27,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for general psychology. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,994 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,567. Set against $24,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $29,727. Set against $13,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #9 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,914 to complete the general psychology program here. 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.
University Of Florida landed the #10 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,003. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #11 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,920. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $29,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #12 position for value in general psychology 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, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,889. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $27,557. That is a strong return on a $13,889 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College landed the #13 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $38,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Florida Online placed #14 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $26,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,189. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #16 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,607 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,118. Set against $16,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,511. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge placed #19 among the best values for general 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $28,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #20 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,844. General Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $34,531 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University landed the #21 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,537 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $24,871. That is a strong return on a $15,537 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #22 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,700. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $39,868 early in their careers. Set against $11,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #23 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,426 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $34,660 early in their careers. Set against $17,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
California State University East Bay earned the #25 position for value in general psychology this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $37,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
This list is compiled 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 · 1653 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 925 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
