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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Psychology (Income $48-$75k) in California

68 Ranked Colleges
29,992 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 68 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Psychology (Income $48-$75k) in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 684 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

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 yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $12,644 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about General Psychology at UCLA

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 367 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $13,275 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Irvine General Psychology Report

3

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #3 spot on the list. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 483 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,030 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Fresno State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 87%.

Read full report on General Psychology at Fresno State

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 812 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,017 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Psychology at Cal State Fullerton

5

Out of the 68 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #5 spot on the list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 511 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,333 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUDH.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Psychology at CSUDH

6

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 216 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,310 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCSD.

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 full report on General Psychology at University of California - San Diego

7

California State University - Long Beach ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 535 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also made our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $11,189 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.

Read more about 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 $48-$75k list. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 414 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,976 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

9

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 585 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $9,854 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Psychology at CSUSB

10

California State University - Northridge came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 881 students in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $10,780 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full CSUN General Psychology Report

11
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Walnut, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 385 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mt. SAC is $5,768 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Mt. San Antonio College General Psychology Report

12

California State University - Sacramento landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 609 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,602 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Sac State.

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%.

Full Sac State General Psychology Report

13

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $15,567 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Psychology at UC Santa Cruz

14
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

With a ranking of #14, College of the Canyons did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Clarita, California, and it awarded 263 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for College of the Canyons is $7,307 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Psychology at College of the Canyons

15

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. California State University - Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 280 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $9,102 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUB.

Read more about General Psychology at CSUB

16

University of California - Davis ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 23 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $14,193 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Davis General Psychology Report

17
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 638 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $14,698 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

18
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #18, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 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 $22,826 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend USC.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Psychology at University of Southern California

19

California State University - East Bay ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.

It costs about $15,615 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

20
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 515 students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $17,338 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Psychology at San Jose State

21
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Fresno City College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 171 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,065 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Fresno City College.

Read more about General Psychology at Fresno City College

22

California State University - San Marcos came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 336 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $14,309 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Full California State University - San Marcos General Psychology Report

23
College of the Sequoias crest
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

With a ranking of #23, College of the Sequoias did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Visalia, California, this fairly large public school awarded 114 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,386 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.

Full College of the Sequoias General Psychology Report

24

California State University - Channel Islands did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. This medium-sized school is located in Camarillo, California, and it awarded 356 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,151 for california psychology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUCI.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUCI General Psychology Report

25

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 374 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $15,958 for California Psychology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about General Psychology at Cal Poly Pomona

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