2023 Best Value Colleges for Sociology in California (With Aid)
59
Ranked Colleges
15,499
Degrees Awarded
$11,400
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 59 colleges that offered a degree in sociology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality sociology 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 sociology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Sociology 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 Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology in California (With Aid)
Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 402 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,302 for california sociology students with aid per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Los Angeles
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 48 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.
Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $12,894 for California Sociology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Stanford Sociology Report
Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid 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 766 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for california sociology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, 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 96%.
Read more about Sociology at UCLA
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 374 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $16,032 for California Sociology students with aid.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Sociology at UC Berkeley
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 Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 395 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,003 for california sociology students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
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 more about Sociology at Cal State Fullerton
California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 301 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $4,026 for california sociology students with aid.
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 more about Sociology at California State University - Dominguez Hills
California State University - Fresno ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Fresno State 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 $6,230 for California Sociology students with aid per year to attend Fresno State.
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%. 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 - Fresno
University of California - Irvine ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 $12,209 for California Sociology students with aid per year to attend UC Irvine.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about Sociology at University of California - Irvine
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. CSULB 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,054 for california sociology students with aid per year to attend CSULB.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, 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 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Sociology at CSULB
California State University - Northridge ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 499 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for california sociology students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Northridge
University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 275 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $15,768 for california sociology students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Sociology at UC Davis
University of California - San Diego landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 161 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california sociology students with aid list, UCSD has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for california sociology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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 94%.
Full UCSD Sociology Report
California State University - East Bay came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 247 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california sociology students with aid list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for california sociology students with aid.
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 Cal State East Bay Sociology Report
With a ranking of #14, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 167 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for california sociology students with aid.
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 3.3% 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%.
Read more about Sociology at Stan State
California State University - San Bernardino ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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.
It costs about $8,107 for California Sociology students with aid per year to attend CSUSB.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - San Bernardino Sociology Report
With a ranking of #16, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 403 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for California Sociology students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full University of California - Riverside Sociology Report
California State University - Sacramento came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 292 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology 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 $11,178 for california sociology students with aid 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%.
Read full report on Sociology at Sac State
With a ranking of #18, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 726 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california sociology students with aid list, UCSB has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $16,252 for california sociology students with aid.
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
With a ranking of #19, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 147 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $7,454 for California Sociology students with aid.
Read full report on Sociology at CSUB
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SRJC is located in Santa Rosa, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 115 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Santa Rosa Junior College is $6,585 for California Sociology students with aid.
Read full report on Sociology at SRJC
San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 214 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california sociology students with aid list, San Jose State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $16,542 for California Sociology students with aid.
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
San Diego State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 141 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for california sociology students with aid per year to attend San Diego State University.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full SDSU Sociology Report
California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 276 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california sociology students with aid list, CSUSM has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for California Sociology students with aid.
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%.
Read more about Sociology at CSUSM
California State University - Channel Islands ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Channel Islands is a public institution located in Camarillo, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 187 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $14,928 for California Sociology students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Sociology at California State University - Channel Islands
University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 273 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $17,930 for California Sociology students with aid per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Sociology at UC Santa Cruz
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