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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Psychology in California (With Aid)

70 Ranked Colleges
29,992 Degrees Awarded
$10,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

General Psychology is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 4th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 141,695 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 Getting Aid” ranking looked at 70 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general psychology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general psychology programs and 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Psychology Schools

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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 Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Psychology in California (With Aid)

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 Getting Aid. 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.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,023 for california psychology students with aid per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about General Psychology at University of California - Los Angeles

2

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 511 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $4,026 for california psychology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 CSUDH

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 483 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,230 for california psychology students with aid per year to attend Fresno State.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

4

Out of the 70 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #4 spot on the list. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 812 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $8,003 for California Psychology students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about General Psychology at Cal State Fullerton

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 881 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for california psychology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 535 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for california psychology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, 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 89%.

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

7

University of California - Irvine landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 367 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california psychology students with aid list, UC Irvine has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,209 for california psychology students with aid per year to attend UC Irvine.

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

8

With a ranking of #8, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 216 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $15,240 for california psychology students with aid per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

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 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at University of California - San Diego

9

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 585 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for California Psychology students with aid.

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 CSUSB General Psychology Report

10

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 414 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for California Psychology students with aid.

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 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 full report on General Psychology at California State University - Stanislaus

11

California State University - Sacramento ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 609 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

Sac State also took the #25 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,178 for california psychology students with aid per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Sacramento

12

California State University - East Bay landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - 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 California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for California Psychology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Full Cal State East Bay General Psychology Report

13
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 515 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,542 for california psychology students with aid per year to attend San Jose State.

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 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Psychology at San Jose State University

14

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUB is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 280 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $7,454 for California Psychology students with aid.

Full CSUB General Psychology Report

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

With a ranking of #15, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Walnut, California, and it awarded 385 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mt. San Antonio College is $3,144 for California Psychology students with aid.

Read full report on General Psychology at Mt. SAC

16
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. College of the Canyons is a fairly large school located in Santa Clarita, California that handed out 263 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Canyons is $5,094 for california psychology students with aid.

Full College of the Canyons 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 Getting Aid list. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 638 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for california psychology students with aid per year to attend San Diego State University.

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

18

With a ranking of #18, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 336 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california psychology students with aid list, CSUSM has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $13,218 for California Psychology students with aid.

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%.

Full CSUSM General Psychology Report

19

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 520 students in 2020-2021.

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 estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for California Psychology students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 University of California - Santa Cruz

20

California State University - Channel Islands ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Channel Islands is located in Camarillo, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 356 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $14,928 for california psychology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 - Channel Islands

21

University of California - Davis landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 23 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california psychology students with aid list, UC Davis has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $15,768 for california psychology students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.

Read full report on General Psychology at UC Davis

22
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Fresno City College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 171 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno City College is $2,584 for california psychology students with aid.

Read more about General Psychology at Fresno City College

23

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 374 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $14,304 for california psychology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

24
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 474 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for California Psychology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 SFSU General Psychology Report

25
College of the Sequoias crest
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Sequoias is $1,222 for California Psychology students with aid.

Read full report on General Psychology at College of the Sequoias

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