by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 200 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Skyline College earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in California. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #2 place for general psychology. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $7,597. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $7,177 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College placed #7 among the best values for general psychology. 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, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,802 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Oxnard College placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. 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. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #11 spot for general psychology value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $23,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College earned the #12 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College earned the #13 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Imperial Valley College placed #14 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,176. General Psychology graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #15 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $24,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College came in at #16 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $10,575 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. That is a strong return on a $10,575 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #17 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
West Valley College came in at #18 for value in general psychology this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Grossmont College landed the #19 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College landed the #20 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,643. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #23 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $16,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #25 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,994. General Psychology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $37,567 early in their careers. Set against $24,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 200 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.