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2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

57 Ranked Colleges
15,499 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 38,475 people earned their degree in sociology, making the major the 25th most popular in the United States. 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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 57 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.

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 sociology program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The sociology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $48-$75k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 48 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $7,081 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Sociology at Stanford University

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 $48-$75k list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 374 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $13,423 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Sociology Report

3

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the 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 University of California - Los Angeles is $12,644 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Sociology Report

4

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools 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. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 402 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $5,700 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 - Davis. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 275 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $14,193 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Davis Sociology Report

6

With a ranking of #6, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 306 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $13,275 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Sociology at University of California - Irvine

7

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 395 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #19 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $9,017 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Sociology at Cal State Fullerton

8

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 161 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,310 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

9

California State University - Fresno ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 147 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,030 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Fresno

10

With a ranking of #10, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 301 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $6,333 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 CSUDH

11

University of California - Riverside came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 403 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

UCR also took the #10 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,126 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, 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 91%.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Riverside

12

California State University - Long Beach landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 308 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $11,189 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read more about Sociology at CSULB

13

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 726 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $14,583 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCSB.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, 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 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCSB Sociology Report

14

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 167 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $7,976 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Stanislaus

15
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 115 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Santa Rosa Junior College is $8,738 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Sociology at SRJC

16

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 259 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $9,854 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full California State University - San Bernardino Sociology Report

17

California State University - Northridge ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 499 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,780 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Sociology Report

18

California State University - Sacramento came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 292 students in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,602 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

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 landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school awarded 247 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay also took the #15 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $15,615 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 more about Sociology at Cal State East Bay

20

With a ranking of #20, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 273 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #9 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $15,567 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 Sociology at University of California - Santa Cruz

21

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 147 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUB is $9,102 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Bakersfield

22
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 63 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k list, USC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $22,826 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Sociology at USC

22
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k list, SDSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $14,698 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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

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

San Jose State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 214 students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $17,338 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 University 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 $48-$75k list. California State University - San Marcos is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 276 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

CSUSM also took the #22 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $14,309 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - San Marcos

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