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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Psychology in California

36 Ranked Colleges
1,315 Degrees Awarded
$19,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master's in California

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 134,326 general psychology students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country.

Across California, there were 27,163 general psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,315 general psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking looked at 36 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general psychology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general psychology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general psychology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Psychology Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Psychology in California

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 33 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784.

Full CSULB General Psychology Report

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 35 degrees to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Psychology at University of California - Los Angeles

#18 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students list, Fresno State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

Full California State University - Fresno General Psychology Report

#5

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Azusa Pacific University landed the #5 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Azusa, California, and it awarded 24 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Psychology at Azusa Pacific University

#6

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Jose State University is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 28 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students list, San Jose State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790.

Full San Jose State University General Psychology Report

#7

Northcentral University

San Diego, California
#6 in overall quality

Northcentral University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Northcentral University is located in San Diego, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 96 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northcentral University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northcentral University are $18,095, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Psychology at Northcentral University

#8

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#13 in overall quality

San Diego State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 37 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students list, SDSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Psychology at SDSU

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Chico landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Chico is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Chico State also took the #22 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Chico State General Psychology Report

#16 in overall quality

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 12 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are $21,009, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo General Psychology Report

#11

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#20 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 44 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Read full report on General Psychology at SFSU

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about General Psychology at Cal State Fullerton

#13

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #13. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936.

Read full report on General Psychology at CSUSB

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 10 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM also made our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661.

Read full report on General Psychology at CSUSM

California State University - Northridge came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Northridge

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Davis General Psychology Report

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Stan State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Psychology at Stan State

#18

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
#25 in overall quality

Sonoma State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Rohnert Park, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

SSU also made our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SSU are $18,890.

Read full report on General Psychology at Sonoma State University

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. CSUDH is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at CSUDH

#20

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

With a ranking of #20, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 30 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at Humboldt State University

With a ranking of #21, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 12 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Psychology at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

California State University - Sacramento came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Psychology at California State University - Sacramento

#23

University of La Verne

La Verne, California
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, University of La Verne did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in La Verne, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

ULV not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of La Verne are $14,526, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Psychology at University of La Verne

#24

National University

La Jolla, California
#19 in overall quality

National University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 60 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

National University also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at National University

#25

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Psychology at University of California - Santa Cruz

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to BruceBlaus.

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