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2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

69 Ranked Colleges
29,992 Degrees Awarded
$8,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 141,695 general psychology students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, general psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,326 and had an average of $26,018 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 29,992 general psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,807 and $22,757 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 69 colleges that offered a degree in general psychology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general psychology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general psychology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Psychology (Income $0-$30k) in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 684 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 812 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,590 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Psychology at Cal State Fullerton

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 367 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,540 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at University of California - Irvine

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 216 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $9,823 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Psychology at UCSD

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 483 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Psychology at Fresno State

6

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 511 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,657 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Dominguez Hills

7

California State University - Long Beach landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 535 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on General Psychology at California State University - Long Beach

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 414 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,122 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stan State.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at Stan State

9

California State University - Northridge came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 881 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUN has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

10

With a ranking of #10, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 585 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $5,985 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full California State University - San Bernardino General Psychology Report

11

California State University - Sacramento landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 609 students in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $8,163 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at Sac State

12

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 520 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,038 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz General Psychology Report

13
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 638 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. It costs about $7,169 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SDSU.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at San Diego State University

14
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 188 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

USC also made our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $17,287 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USC.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full University of Southern California General Psychology Report

15
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mt. SAC is a public institution located in Walnut, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 385 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Mt. San Antonio College is $2,412 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Psychology at Mt. SAC

16
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 515 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,158 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Jose State University General Psychology Report

17
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Santa Clarita, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 263 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,300 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of the Canyons.

Full College of the Canyons General Psychology Report

18

California State University - East Bay came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 430 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Psychology at California State University - East Bay

19

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school awarded 280 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $5,238 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full California State University - Bakersfield General Psychology Report

20

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 23 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $10,006 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Davis General Psychology Report

21

California State University - San Marcos ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSM is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 336 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,397 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSM General Psychology Report

22

With a ranking of #22, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 374 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $10,349 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

23

California State University - Channel Islands did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Camarillo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 356 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $12,011 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Channel Islands

24

California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUMB is a public institution located in Seaside, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 252 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $9,192 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Monterey Bay

25

With a ranking of #25, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 366 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $11,754 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Psychology at Chico State

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