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2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k

21 Ranked Colleges
1,195 Degrees Awarded
$29,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 183,889 psychology students received their degree, making the major the 7th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,496 and had an average of $36,227 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 37,071 psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,748 and $53,340 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,195 psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,544 and $133,402 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in psychology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality psychology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the psychology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Psychology Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Psychology (Income $48-$75k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 12 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read more about Psychology at Stanford University

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree psychology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Berkeley Psychology Report

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 27 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also took the #6 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’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 University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read full report on Psychology at University of California - Los Angeles

#4

Touro University Worldwide

Los Alamitos, California
#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Touro University Worldwide. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Touro University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Alamitos, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

TUW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at TUW are $9,000, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at Touro University Worldwide

#5

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree psychology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCSB has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Psychology Report

#24 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #24 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at UCR

#17 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took the #17 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Psychology at UC Davis

#14 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at University of California - Irvine

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 19 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCSD Psychology Report

#10

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#25 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 12 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at San Diego State University

#11

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#10 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at University of Southern California

#12

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 3 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Psychology at University of California - Santa Cruz

University of California - Merced came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UC Merced is a medium-sized school located in Merced, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Psychology at University of California - Merced

#14

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#11 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 25 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at Azusa Pacific

#15

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Thousand Oaks, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Lutheran University are $20,600.

Read full report on Psychology at CLU

#16

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California

University of the Pacific landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Stockton, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of the Pacific are $49,374.

Full Pacific Psychology Report

#17

Biola University

La Mirada, California
#21 in overall quality

Biola University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in La Mirada, California, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Biola, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Biola University are $11,772, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at Biola

#18

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Pepperdine University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Malibu, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pepperdine, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pepperdine University are $36,320, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Pepperdine Psychology Report

The University of Arizona Global Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. The University of Arizona Global Campus is a large private for-profit school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 11 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UAGC are $14,664, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Psychology at The University of Arizona Global Campus

#20

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#23 in overall quality

University of San Francisco came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

USFCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at University of San Francisco

#21

Chapman University

Orange, California

With a ranking of #21, Chapman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chapman is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Orange, California. It awarded 1 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman University are $35,105, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Chapman Psychology Report

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.

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