2027 Best Value General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools

[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 160 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
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2027 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Queens College, our #1 best value for general psychology in the United States. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,149. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,184. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,920. General Psychology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $64,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,920 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the general psychology program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for general psychology. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,994. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,567. Set against $24,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fresno came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. 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 $70,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #6 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,998 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $27,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Florida landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. 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 $51,689. That is a strong return on a $16,897 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,511. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general psychology value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,267 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $59,316 early in their careers. Set against $21,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. 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%.
Florida State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $59,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $30,565. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
California State University San Marcos earned the #13 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,312 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Florida International University placed #14 among the best values for general psychology. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $41,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $14,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $46,534. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #16 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,803 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #17 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,580. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,915. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $42,585. Set against $17,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #19 spot for general psychology value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,751 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $29,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,751 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Fayetteville State University placed #21 among the best values for general psychology. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. General Psychology graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $31,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Marshall University came in at #22 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $38,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $12,368.
American Public University System ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $31,973. General Psychology graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $47,524 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,977. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,803. Set against $27,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
Other General Psychology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general psychology schools at other degree levels:
View All General Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 160 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.