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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Psychology in California

67 Ranked Colleges
5,805 Degrees Awarded
$19,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master's in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Master’s in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Psychology is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 7th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 183,889 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,805 psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking, we looked at 67 colleges that offer a degree in psychology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality psychology programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Psychology Schools

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 Master’s in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 for a Master’s in California

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Psychology in California

#1

Touro University Worldwide

Los Alamitos, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Touro University Worldwide. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in Los Alamitos, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 178 diplomas to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

TUW also took the #3 spot in our “Best Psychology Master’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 TUW are $9,000.

Read full report on Psychology at Touro University Worldwide

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 67 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California 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 public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Psychology at UCLA

#3

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Baptist University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California. Cal Baptist is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 206 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Baptist are $14,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Psychology at California Baptist University

Out of the 67 schools in the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 56 masters’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 California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Read more about Psychology at California State University - Long Beach

#6

Fielding Graduate University

Santa Barbara, California
#10 in overall quality

Fielding Graduate University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Fielding is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 82 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Fielding also took the #10 spot in our “Best Psychology Master’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 Fielding Graduate University are $17,296.

Read full report on Psychology at Fielding Graduate University

#8 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 22 degrees to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Psychology Master’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 UCSD Psychology Report

#8

Biola University

La Mirada, California

Biola University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Biola is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Mirada, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Biola University are $11,772.

Read more about Psychology at Biola

#9

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#20 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Azusa, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 166 diplomas to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific are $16,571, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at Azusa Pacific

#10

Brandman University

Irvine, California
#18 in overall quality

Brandman University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. This fairly large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 90 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brandman, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Psychology Master’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 Brandman are $12,540.

Full Brandman Psychology Report

California State University - Fresno ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Psychology at Fresno State

#12

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Psychology at San Jose State

#13 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students list, UC Irvine has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Psychology Master’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 - Irvine are $28,456.

Read more about Psychology at University of California - Irvine

#14

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 67 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Saint Mary’s University are $12,612, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Mount Saint Mary’s University Psychology Report

#15

California Institute of Integral Studies

San Francisco, California
#6 in overall quality

California Institute of Integral Studies did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #15. Located in San Francisco, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 164 degrees to qualified masters’s psychology students in 2019-2020.

CIIS also made our “Best Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. 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 California Institute of Integral Studies

#16

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

With a ranking of #16, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 51 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Diego State University Psychology Report

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 27 masters’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 Chico State are $18,802.

Read full report on Psychology at Chico State

With a ranking of #18, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 12 masters’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 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Read full report on Psychology at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

#19

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s psychology degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Full San Francisco State University Psychology Report

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #20. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 29 masters’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 California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Psychology at Cal State Fullerton

California State University - San Marcos landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - San Marcos is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - San Marcos Psychology Report

#22

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCSB Psychology Report

With a ranking of #22, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 masters’s psychology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Psychology at California State University - Northridge

#24

Northcentral University

San Diego, California

Northcentral University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #24. Northcentral University is a fairly large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 282 masters’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 Northcentral University are $18,095.

Read full report on Psychology at Northcentral University

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Psychology Schools for a Master’s in California list. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 9 masters’s psychology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree psychology students list, UC Davis has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Davis 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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