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2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

58 Ranked Colleges
15,499 Degrees Awarded
$8,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Sociology is the 25th most popular major in the country with 38,475 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, sociology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,426 and had an average of $24,587 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 15,499 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,847 and $18,490 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 58 colleges that offered 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the sociology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $30-$48k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 48 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $1,581 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Sociology at Stanford

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 374 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $9,999 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UC Berkeley

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 766 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UCLA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,891 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Sociology at University of California - Los Angeles

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 402 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $2,701 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Cal State LA Sociology Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 306 students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,449 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UC Irvine

6

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 147 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,655 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Fresno State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Fresno State Sociology Report

7

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 275 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $11,598 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Davis

8

With a ranking of #8, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 161 students in 2020-2021.

UCSD also took the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $11,176 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. 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 more about Sociology at University of California - San Diego

9

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 395 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $5,821 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Sociology at Cal State Fullerton

10

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 301 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $3,329 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Dominguez Hills

11

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 167 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $4,903 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Stan State Sociology Report

12

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 308 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSULB has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $7,573 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

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

13

University of California - Riverside ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 403 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Sociology at UCR

14

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 726 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at UCSB

15

California State University - Northridge ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 499 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

CSUN also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $7,103 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Northridge

16
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Santa Rosa Junior College is a fairly large school located in Santa Rosa, California that handed out 115 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Santa Rosa Junior College is $5,800 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Sociology at Santa Rosa Junior College

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 259 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,613 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUSB.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Sociology at CSUSB

18

California State University - Sacramento landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 292 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 California State University - Sacramento Sociology Report

19

California State University - East Bay came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 247 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Cal State East Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,025 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

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 Sociology Report

20

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 147 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $6,046 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Bakersfield

21
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 141 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, SDSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,274 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego State University.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full San Diego State University Sociology Report

22

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 273 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,049 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Sociology Report

23
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 63 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

USC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,345 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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.

Full University of Southern California Sociology Report

24
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 214 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $13,378 for california sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full San Jose State Sociology Report

25

With a ranking of #25, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 276 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSM also took the #22 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $10,348 for California Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Sociology at CSUSM

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