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

22 Ranked Colleges
164 Degrees Awarded
$26,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 37,807 people earned their degree in sociology, making the major the 24th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, sociology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,727 and had an average of $23,622 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 14,493 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,922 and $18,563 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 164 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great sociology 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 sociology 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

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 Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. 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 Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (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 Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 18 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Sociology 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 are $55,011.

Full Stanford Sociology Report

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 9 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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 more about Sociology at University of California - Berkeley

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Sociology 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 #3 spot on the list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Sociology 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 Sociology at University of California - Irvine

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 11 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology 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 University of California - Los Angeles Sociology Report

#18 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

CSUDH also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884.

Read full report on Sociology at CSUDH

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 12 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Cal State Fullerton

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 12 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also took the #17 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Los Angeles

#9 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Northridge

#9

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#8 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego State University is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at San Diego State University

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCR Sociology Report

University of California - San Diego landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 1 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Sociology 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 University of California - San Diego Sociology Report

#12

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Santa Barbara

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Davis Sociology Report

California State University - Long Beach ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 1 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Sociology 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.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Long Beach

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Sac State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Sociology 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 Sac State are $18,356.

Read more about Sociology at Sac State

#16

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#11 in overall quality

San Jose State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Jose State Sociology Report

California State University - San Marcos came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 10 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUSM has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Sociology 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 California State University - San Marcos are $18,661.

Full CSUSM Sociology Report

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Merced is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Sociology 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 UC Merced are $43,854.

Full University of California - Merced Sociology Report

#19

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of Southern California ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Sociology 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 USC are $48,715.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Southern California

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology 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 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #0 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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.

Read more about Sociology at UC Santa Cruz

#21

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#19 in overall quality

Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Sociology 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 Humboldt State University are $18,802.

Read full report on Sociology at Humboldt State University

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, The University of Arizona Global Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Arizona Global Campus is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 17 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UAGC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Sociology 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 The University of Arizona Global Campus are $14,664.

Read full report on Sociology at The University of Arizona Global Campus

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 Kontos.

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