2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
36
Ranked Colleges
5,405
Degrees Awarded
$8,300
Avg Net Price*
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 General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
General Economics is the 29th most popular major in the country with 28,837 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across California, there were 5,405 general economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in general economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general economics 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 general economics program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank General Economics 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 General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” 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 by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Economics (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 394 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,540 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Irvine.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Economics at UC Irvine
Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Fullerton General Economics Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 18 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
USC also made our “Best General Economics Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $17,287 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Southern California General Economics Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State also made our “Best General Economics Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Economics at Fresno State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 259 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $7,169 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 more about General Economics at San Diego State University
California State University - Los Angeles ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $1,887 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 General Economics at California State University - Los Angeles
University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 123 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best General Economics Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $11,038 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz General Economics Report
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 214 degrees to qualified ’s general economics students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,163 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sac State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Sac State General Economics Report
California State University - Long Beach landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 84 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%.
Full CSULB General Economics Report
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Santa Rosa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general economics degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.
SRJC also made our “Best General Economics Schools in California” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Santa Rosa Junior College is $5,728 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about General Economics at Santa Rosa Junior College
California State University - Northridge ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 95 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Economics Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,266 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
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 General Economics at CSUN
With a ranking of #12, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 15 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,122 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Economics at Stan State
With a ranking of #13, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $9,975 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full California State University - East Bay General Economics Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general economics degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Economics Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,173 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, 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 94%.
Read full report on General Economics at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
California State University - San Bernardino landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $5,985 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.
Read more about General Economics at CSUSB
California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 14 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $5,238 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Economics at California State University - Bakersfield
San Jose State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State University is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 126 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $12,158 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about General Economics at San Jose State University
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified ’s general economics students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,349 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, 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%.
Full Cal Poly Pomona General Economics Report
Pitzer College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pitzer is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pitzer has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pitzer is $9,747 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
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. 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%.
Read full report on General Economics at Pitzer College
San Francisco State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFSU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $10,705 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.
Read full report on General Economics at SFSU
With a ranking of #21, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general economics degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.
CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best General Economics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $9,397 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full CSUSM General Economics Report
American River College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. American River is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,848 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend American River College.
Read more about General Economics at American River
California State University - Channel Islands ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Channel Islands is a medium-sized school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 17 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUCI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Economics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Channel Islands is $12,011 for California General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Economics at California State University - Channel Islands
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 30 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,754 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Chico.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 General Economics at Chico State
East Los Angeles College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Economics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Monterey Park, California, and it awarded 109 ’s general economics degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,646 for california general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Los Angeles College.
Read more about General Economics at East Los Angeles College
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