Best Schools for General Psychology in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in General Psychology
University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general psychology. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 26 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans.
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San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 449 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year.
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Students looking for a strong general psychology program will find one at Santa Clara University, which ranked #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 98 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $38,587 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,667 to complete this degree.
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California State University East Bay came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 368 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from California State University East Bay earn around $37,702 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
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A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for general psychology. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 232 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $34,139. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
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University Of San Diego ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 99 general psychology degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from University Of San Diego earn around $35,595 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,293.
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University Of California Los Angeles earned the #7 position for general psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. About 765 general psychology degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. General Psychology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $46,534 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans.
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University Of San Francisco placed #8 among the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 124 general psychology degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. General Psychology graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $36,734 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,315 to complete this degree.
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University Of California San Diego landed the #9 spot for general psychology this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 351 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $29,144. Students borrow a median of $16,124 to complete this degree.
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California State University Long Beach landed the #10 spot for general psychology this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 744 general psychology degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $27,511 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for general psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 647 general psychology degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $45,601 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
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San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot for general psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 465 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,803 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general psychology from San Francisco State University
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #13 for general psychology this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 465 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $30,730 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,902 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general psychology from University Of California Santa Cruz
California State University Fullerton earned the #14 position for general psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 1,092 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $27,965 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,998.
More information about a degree in general psychology from California State University Fullerton
Cuesta College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. Cuesta College awarded about 134 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $64,492 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958.
More information about a degree in general psychology from Cuesta College
Pepperdine University landed the #16 spot for general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 290 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Pepperdine University earn around $35,285 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,580.
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Loyola Marymount University placed #17 among the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 125 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $30,848 early in their careers. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
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Chapman University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 151 general psychology degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $28,661 in their early career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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California State University Chico placed #19 among the best general psychology schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 284 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $40,027 in their early career. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
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University Of California Irvine came in at #20 for general psychology this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 486 general psychology degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $27,115. Typical student debt for the program is $14,883.
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Sonoma State University landed the #21 spot for general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 229 general psychology degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Sonoma State University earn around $33,006 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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San Diego State University placed #22 among the best general psychology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 695 general psychology degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $46,005. Typical student debt for the program is $14,301.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 164 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $36,403 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
Read more about the general psychology program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Saddleback College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Saddleback College awarded about 186 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Saddleback College graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans.
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California State University Fresno placed #25 among the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 567 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $48,898 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $13,889 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology ranking:
Honorable Mentions
Also worth considering for general psychology:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 200 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
