2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California
59
Ranked Colleges
15,499
Degrees Awarded
$12,100
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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” 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” ranking analyzed 59 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.
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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Sociology Schools
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” 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
The colleges and universities below are the best for california sociology students.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology in California
Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 766 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california sociology students list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for California Sociology students.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Sociology at UCLA
Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the 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.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $16,032 for california sociology students per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.
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 University of California - Berkeley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in California. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 308 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for California Sociology students.
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 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Sociology at CSULB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - East Bay. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in California. Cal State 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,298 for california sociology students per year to attend Cal State 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%.
Read more about Sociology at California State University - East Bay
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in California. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 214 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.
San Jose State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $16,542 for California Sociology students.
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 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
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 499 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for california sociology students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 CSUN Sociology Report
University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,252 for California Sociology students per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full UCSB Sociology Report
University of California - Irvine ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 306 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california sociology students list, UC Irvine has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,209 for california sociology students per year to attend University of California - Irvine.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read more about Sociology at University of California - Irvine
University of California - Davis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California ranking. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 275 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #5 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $15,768 for california sociology students.
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 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Sociology at UC Davis
With a ranking of #10, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 161 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for California Sociology students.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.
Read full report on Sociology at University of California - San Diego
With a ranking of #11, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California 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.
In addition to being on our california sociology students list, CSUSM has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSM is $13,218 for California Sociology students.
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%.
Full CSUSM Sociology Report
California State University - Fresno ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California 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.
The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $6,230 for California Sociology students.
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%.
Full California State University - Fresno Sociology Report
With a ranking of #13, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 83 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $20,677 for California Sociology students per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Sociology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
California State University - Fullerton ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 395 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for california sociology students.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.
Full Cal State Fullerton Sociology Report
With a ranking of #15, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 167 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for California Sociology students.
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 more about Sociology at Stan State
California State University - Chico ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school handed out 186 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.
Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,218 for california sociology students per year to attend Chico State.
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%.
Read full report on Sociology at Chico State
San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for California Sociology students per year to attend SDSU.
With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Sociology at SDSU
California State University - San Bernardino ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 259 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for california sociology students.
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%.
Read full report on Sociology at California State University - San Bernardino
With a ranking of #19, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. Santa Rosa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 115 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $6,585 for california sociology students.
Read full report on Sociology at Santa Rosa Junior College
California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California ranking, coming in at #20. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 402 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $3,302 for california sociology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Sociology at California State University - Los Angeles
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California ranking, coming in at #21. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 292 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #25 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for California Sociology students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Sociology at California State University - Sacramento
With a ranking of #22, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California list. CSUDH 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 $4,026 for California Sociology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Sociology at CSUDH
University of California - Riverside landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 403 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,822 for California Sociology students per year to attend UCR.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read full report on Sociology at University of California - Riverside
University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Sociology Schools in California ranking, coming in at #24. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 273 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for California Sociology students.
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%. 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 UC Santa Cruz
California State University - Channel Islands came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California ranking. Located in Camarillo, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 187 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $14,928 for California Sociology students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full CSUCI Sociology Report
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