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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 200 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Skyline College, our #1 best value for general psychology in California. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for general psychology. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. 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 $7,597. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,177 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $7,177 median debt.
College Of San Mateo landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,802 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #8 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,707. General Psychology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #9 for value in general psychology this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,306. General Psychology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #11 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $23,008. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Canada College came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Hartnell College came in at #13 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College placed #15 among the best values for general psychology. 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. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $24,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,575 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,218. Set against $10,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #17 for value in general psychology this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, 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. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
West Valley College landed the #18 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #19 position for value in general psychology this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Irvine Valley College came in at #20 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the general psychology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,500. General Psychology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $16,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,994. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $37,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 200 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.