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2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k

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 $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. 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 $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 11 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 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 Stanford University are $55,011.

Read full report on Economics at Stanford University

#2

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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 68 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 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 California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Full UCLA Economics Report

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 3 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Berkeley

#20 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 23 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA 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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. California State University - 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 made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Economics at Cal State Fullerton

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 15 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #9 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at University of California - Irvine

#7

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Economics Report

#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 $48-$75k ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 13 students 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCSD Economics Report

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 28 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - 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 ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 8 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Long Beach Economics Report

#11

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Riverside, 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 $48-$75k list, UCR has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at UCR

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SDSU 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 also took the #13 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 SDSU are $18,658.

Read more about Economics at SDSU

#13

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

University of Southern California landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 80 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at University of Southern California

#12 in overall quality

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 9 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Economics Report

California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 2 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k 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 Sac State are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at California State University - Sacramento

#16

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Economics Report

#21 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 8 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

#18

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#17 in overall quality

San Jose State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 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 San Jose State University are $18,790.

Read full report on Economics at San Jose State

#19 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 14 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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.

Read full report on Economics at Cal State East Bay

#20

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#18 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s economics 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 SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at San Francisco State University

#21

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California
#16 in overall quality

California Lutheran University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

CLU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CLU are $20,600, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California Lutheran University Economics Report

#22

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 26 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

USFCA also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of San Francisco are $26,710, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full USFCA Economics Report

#23

Chapman University

Orange, California

Chapman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in Orange, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Chapman has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman University are $35,105, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Chapman

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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