by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) 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 248 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Skyline College tops our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools in the Far Western Region. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $8,098. General Psychology graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,075. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,177 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $51,913. Set against $7,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for general psychology. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $7,597. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $26,229. That is a strong return on a $7,597 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,707. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
College Of San Mateo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general psychology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #8 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,802 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $27,421 early in their careers. Set against $7,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,306. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Oxnard College earned the #10 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Hartnell College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $23,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #13 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $24,894. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,000. General Psychology graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #15 position for value in general psychology this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Imperial Valley College came in at #16 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College came in at #17 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,575 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $10,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #18 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College placed #19 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $14,308. General Psychology graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #20 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,994. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $37,567. That is a strong return on a $24,994 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Grossmont College came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Irvine Valley College landed the #22 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #23 position for value in general psychology this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $16,894. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College placed #24 among the best values for general psychology. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 248 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 118 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.