by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 277 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Skyline College tops our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools in the Far Western Region. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Psychology graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,177 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $7,177 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for psychology. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $7,597. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $26,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
College Of San Mateo placed #7 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #8 position for value in psychology this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $7,802. Early-career psychology graduates make about $27,421. That is a strong return on a $7,802 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College earned the #11 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #12 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $23,008. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $24,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College placed #14 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,688 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,727. That is a strong return on a $13,688 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Imperial Valley College landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
San Diego City College earned the #18 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,575. Psychology graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,538 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,960. That is a strong return on a $12,538 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
West Valley College landed the #20 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #21 for value in psychology this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $16,894. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Moreno Valley College landed the #24 spot for psychology value this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the psychology program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 277 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 120 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.