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2023 Best Value Colleges for Psychology (Income $30-$48k) in California

65 Ranked Colleges
40,588 Degrees Awarded
$8,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 65 colleges that offer 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Psychology (Income $30-$48k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, 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 $30-$48k list. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 63 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also made our “Best Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $1,581 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Psychology at Stanford University

2

Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 1,116 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 full report on Psychology at University of California - Los Angeles

3

Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 511 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $3,329 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on Psychology at CSUDH

4

Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #4 spot on the list. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 528 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,655 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

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 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%.

Read more about Psychology at California State University - Fresno

5

Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 326 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Psychology Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,999 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Psychology at University of California - Berkeley

6

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 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 estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $5,821 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Psychology at Cal State Fullerton

7

With a ranking of #7, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school handed out 589 degrees to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $11,176 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 UCSD

8

University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,206 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $8,449 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. 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 - Irvine

9

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 414 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,903 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stan State.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Psychology at Stan State

10

California State University - Long Beach came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 576 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $7,573 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full CSULB Psychology Report

11

California State University - Northridge ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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 $7,103 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 California State University - Northridge

12
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Mt. San Antonio College is a large public school situated in Walnut, California. It awarded 385 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mt. SAC is $3,035 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Mt. SAC Psychology Report

13

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 623 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,613 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Psychology at California State University - San Bernardino

14
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Santa Clarita, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 263 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Canyons is $4,747 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full College of the Canyons Psychology Report

15

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 616 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Psychology at Sac State

16

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 602 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Psychology Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $11,606 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Psychology at UCSB

17

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 902 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $11,598 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full University of California - Davis Psychology Report

18

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 520 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Psychology Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,049 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Psychology Report

19

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 293 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,046 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUB.

Read more about Psychology at California State University - Bakersfield

20

With a ranking of #20, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 624 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Psychology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Psychology at University of California - Riverside

21
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #21, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 657 ’s psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Psychology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $9,274 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Psychology at SDSU

22

California State University - East Bay ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s psychology degrees to 430 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,025 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Psychology at California State University - East Bay

23
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 515 diplomas to qualified ’s psychology students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $13,378 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 86%.

Read full report on Psychology at San Jose State

24

California State University - San Marcos landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUSM is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 336 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $10,348 for california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Psychology at CSUSM

25
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Psychology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 313 ’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california psychology students whose families make $30-$48k list, USC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Psychology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,345 for California Psychology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Southern California.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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.

Read more about Psychology at University of Southern California

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