2023 Best Value Colleges for Psychology (Income $0-$30k) in California
65
Ranked Colleges
40,588
Degrees Awarded
$7,300
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 195,678 psychology students received their degree, making the major the 8th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,611 and had an average of $25,989 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 40,588 psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,013 and $22,554 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 65 colleges that offered a degree in psychology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great psychology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the 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.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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 Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Psychology (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 63 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $1,233 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Stanford University Psychology Report
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 in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 1,116 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $9,037 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCLA.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Psychology at UCLA
Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - 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 #23 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Psychology at Cal State Fullerton
Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 326 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $8,450 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Psychology at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 1,206 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $6,540 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Psychology at University of California - Irvine
University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 589 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #5 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,823 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Psychology at University of California - San Diego
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 511 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $2,657 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Psychology at CSUDH
California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 528 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,859 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fresno State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Psychology at California State University - Fresno
California State University - Long Beach landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 576 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $6,663 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%.
Read full report on Psychology at CSULB
California State University - Stanislaus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 414 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,122 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Psychology at Stan State
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSB is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 602 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB also took the #7 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $10,568 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Psychology at University of California - Santa Barbara
California State University - Northridge ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 912 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $6,266 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 more about Psychology at CSUN
University of California - Davis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 902 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #13 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $10,006 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read more about Psychology at UC Davis
With a ranking of #14, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 623 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $5,985 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Psychology at CSUSB
With a ranking of #15, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 520 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,038 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Psychology at UC Santa Cruz
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 616 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,163 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 California State University - Sacramento Psychology Report
San Diego State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 657 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $7,169 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 89%.
Read full report on Psychology at SDSU
Mt. San Antonio College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mt. SAC is located in Walnut, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 385 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $2,412 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mt. San Antonio College.
Full Mt. San Antonio College Psychology Report
With a ranking of #19, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 624 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also made our “Best Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $6,810 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Riverside Psychology Report
With a ranking of #20, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 313 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.
USC also took the #3 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,287 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full University of Southern California Psychology Report
San Jose State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 515 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, San Jose State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,158 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State University.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Psychology at San Jose State University
College of the Canyons ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. College of the Canyons is located in Santa Clarita, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 263 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $4,300 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of the Canyons.
Full College of the Canyons Psychology Report
California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Cal State 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.
It costs about $9,975 for california psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - East Bay.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - East Bay Psychology Report
With a ranking of #24, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 293 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Bakersfield is $5,238 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Psychology at California State University - Bakersfield
With a ranking of #25, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSM is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 336 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $9,397 for California Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 California State University - San Marcos Psychology Report
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