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2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California

32 Ranked Colleges
1,195 Degrees Awarded
$23,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 183,889 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, psychology is the 7th most popular major in the United States. 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” ranking analyzed 32 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the psychology program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California

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

Top 27 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Psychology in California

#1

Fielding Graduate University

Santa Barbara, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fielding Graduate University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Fielding Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 55 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Fielding did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fielding Graduate University are $17,296, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at Fielding Graduate University

#2

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Azusa Pacific University landed the #2 spot on the 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Azusa Pacific University Psychology Report

#3

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’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 UCSB are $28,670.

Read more about Psychology at University of California - Santa Barbara

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#5

Biola University

La Mirada, California
#21 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Biola University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California. Biola is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Mirada, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Biola University Psychology Report

#6

Touro University Worldwide

Los Alamitos, California
#15 in overall quality

Touro University Worldwide came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. TUW 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 also made our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Touro University Worldwide are $9,000, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full TUW Psychology Report

#7

Northcentral University

San Diego, California
#12 in overall quality

Northcentral University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #7. Northcentral University is a fairly large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 57 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree psychology students list, Northcentral University has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northcentral University are $18,095, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at Northcentral University

#3 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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

#14 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 12 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at UC Irvine

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’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 University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Full University of California - San Diego Psychology Report

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700.

Read full report on Psychology at UC Davis

#12

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#24 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree psychology students list, UCR has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Psychology at UCR

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #25 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 San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read more about Psychology at San Diego State University

#19 in overall quality

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Irvine came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 50 degrees to qualified doctorate’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

The Chicago School Irvine Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Irvine are $23,576, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Irvine

#16

California Institute of Integral Studies

San Francisco, California
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, California Institute of Integral Studies did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. California Institute of Integral Studies is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CIIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Integral Studies are $22,188, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at CIIS

#17

Palo Alto University

Palo Alto, California
#2 in overall quality

Palo Alto University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Located in Palo Alto, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 107 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, the school also landed the #2 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 Pacific Graduate School of Psychology are $32,341.

Full Palo Alto University Psychology Report

#18

University of La Verne

La Verne, California

University of La Verne ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. ULV is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Verne, California. It awarded 3 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

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 more about Psychology at ULV

#18

Alliant International University

San Diego, California
#9 in overall quality

Alliant International University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Alliant International University is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 241 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Alliant also made our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Alliant International University are $24,615, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Psychology at Alliant International University

#19

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

With a ranking of #19, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at UC Santa Cruz

#8 in overall quality

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #19. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 102 students in 2019-2020.

The Chicago School Los Angeles Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The Chicago School Los Angeles Campus are $23,576, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles

University of California - Merced came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Merced Psychology Report

#22

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. This small school is located in Thousand Oaks, California, and it awarded 12 doctorate’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 CLU are $20,600.

Read full report on Psychology at California Lutheran University

#23

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, California
#5 in overall quality

Claremont Graduate University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Claremont, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s psychology degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Claremont Graduate University, the school also landed the #5 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 Claremont Graduate University are $36,380.

Full Claremont Graduate University Psychology Report

#24

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, California
#20 in overall quality

Loma Linda University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Loma Linda University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Loma Linda, California. It awarded 18 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Loma Linda University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Psychology Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loma Linda University are $30,640, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at Loma Linda University

#25

Antioch University - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

With a ranking of #25, Antioch University - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Doctorate in California list. This small school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Antioch University - Santa Barbara are $19,303, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Psychology at Antioch University - Santa Barbara

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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