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2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California

36 Ranked Colleges
1,315 Degrees Awarded
$19,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master's in California

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 for a Master’s in California” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 134,326 general psychology students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, general psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $28,999 and had an average of $26,247 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 27,163 general psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,241 and $31,161 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,315 general psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking analyzed 36 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Psychology Schools

The psychology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 for a Master’s in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree psychology students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Psychology in California

#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 33 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSULB General Psychology Report

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Los Angeles General Psychology Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 15 degrees to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Fresno General Psychology Report

#5

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Azusa Pacific University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Azusa Pacific is located in Azusa, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Azusa Pacific also made our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571.

Read full report on General Psychology at Azusa Pacific

#6

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#12 in overall quality

San Jose State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students list, San Jose State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Psychology at San Jose State

#7

Northcentral University

San Diego, California

Northcentral University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Northcentral University is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 96 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students list, Northcentral University has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northcentral University are $18,095, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Psychology at Northcentral University

#8

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 37 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Diego State University General Psychology Report

California State University - Chico landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802.

Full Chico State General Psychology Report

With a ranking of #10, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Psychology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

#11

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#20 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 44 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Full San Francisco State University General Psychology Report

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - Fullerton

#13

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 20 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at California State University - San Bernardino

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

CSUSM also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661.

Full California State University - San Marcos General Psychology Report

California State University - Northridge ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 18 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955.

Full CSUN General Psychology Report

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at UC Davis

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 24 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Stanislaus are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Stanislaus General Psychology Report

#18

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
#25 in overall quality

Sonoma State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sonoma State University are $18,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Psychology at Sonoma State University

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #19. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUDH General Psychology Report

#20

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802.

Read full report on General Psychology at Humboldt State University

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona General Psychology Report

With a ranking of #22, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 12 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at Sac State

#23

University of La Verne

La Verne, California
#23 in overall quality

University of La Verne ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. This medium-sized school is located in La Verne, California, and it awarded 9 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ULV, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of La Verne are $14,526, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Psychology at University of La Verne

#24

National University

La Jolla, California

National University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. National University is a fairly large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 60 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

National University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full National University General Psychology Report

#25

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#17 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Psychology at University of California - Santa Cruz

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to BruceBlaus.

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