by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 248 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Skyline College tops our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools in the Far Western Region. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $8,098. General Psychology graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $7,177. General Psychology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $7,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,597 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $26,229. That is a strong return on a $7,597 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #6 position for value in general psychology this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,707. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
College Of San Mateo landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,802 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $27,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College landed the #10 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Hartnell College placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,000. General Psychology graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #12 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $23,008. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $24,894. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Canada College earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $29,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Imperial Valley College placed #16 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,176. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
San Diego City College earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,575. General Psychology graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,575 median debt.
Santa Ana College placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,196. General Psychology graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College came in at #19 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #20 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,994. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Grossmont College earned the #21 position for value in general psychology this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Irvine Valley College earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the general psychology program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $16,894. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Moreno Valley College came in at #24 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College earned the #25 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 248 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 118 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.