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2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

23 Ranked Colleges
457 Degrees Awarded
$26,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Economics is the 18th most popular major in the country with 48,831 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 9,937 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,367 and $16,994 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 457 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) 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 Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford University Economics Report

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #4 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Berkeley Economics Report

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 68 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Economics Report

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 15 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Irvine

#20 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 23 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Cal State LA

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fullerton Economics Report

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#13 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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 more about Economics at SDSU

#6 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 13 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Economics 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 UCSD are $28,631.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - San Diego

#9

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Economics 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 - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Santa Barbara

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 28 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Economics 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.

Read more about Economics at UC Davis

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 8 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSULB Economics Report

#12

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 2 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Economics 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 - Riverside are $28,686.

Full UCR Economics Report

#12 in overall quality

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are $21,009, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#14

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 80 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, USC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Economics 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 Southern California are $48,715.

Full USC Economics Report

California State University - Sacramento landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sac State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at California State University - Sacramento

#21 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

#17

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Economics 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 - Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Full UC Santa Cruz Economics Report

#19 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State East Bay Economics Report

#19

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Economics 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 San Jose State are $18,790.

Read full report on Economics at San Jose State University

#20

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#18 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s 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 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at SFSU

#21

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California
#16 in overall quality

California Lutheran University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Thousand Oaks, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, CLU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Lutheran University are $20,600, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at California Lutheran University

#22

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #22, University of San Francisco did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 26 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

USFCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Economics 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 USFCA are $26,710.

Read more about Economics at University of San Francisco

#23

Chapman University

Orange, California

Chapman University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chapman University is a medium-sized school located in Orange, California that handed out 2 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Chapman also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman are $35,105.

Read full report on Economics at Chapman University

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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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