by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 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.
Rio Salado College tops our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools in Arizona. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Mesa Community College, which ranked #3. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Phoenix College one of the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dine College earned the #6 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,410. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $20,227.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #7 for value in general psychology this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #9 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Northern Arizona University earned the #11 position for value in general psychology this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,492 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $33,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Arizona State University came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,000. General Psychology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $56,122 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
American Intercontinental University Online ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,397. Students borrow a median of $39,107 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Online generally make around $43,008. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.
University Of Arizona came in at #14 for value in general psychology this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $20,374. General Psychology graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $33,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Grand Canyon University came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,027 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $90,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Prescott College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,490. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Prescott College generally make around $29,888. That is a strong return on a $31,334 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
National Paralegal College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. National Paralegal College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $7,995 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $43,560 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from National Paralegal College generally make around $40,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ashford University placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $43,875. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $39,943. Set against $43,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ottawa University Surprise earned the #19 position for value in general psychology this year. Ottawa University Surprise is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Surprise. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,880. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,562. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $39,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ottawa University Surprise admits about 78% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.