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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

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Sociology is the 20th most popular major in the country with 38,394 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across California, there were 15,499 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 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. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent sociology programs, but they also 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.

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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”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

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

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $7,081 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 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 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.

Read more about Sociology at Stanford University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 374 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,423 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UC Berkeley.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 UC Berkeley Sociology Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 766 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $12,644 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full UCLA 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. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 402 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $5,700 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

5

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 - Davis landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 275 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $14,193 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read full report on Sociology at UC Davis

6

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

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $13,275 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 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UC Irvine

7

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

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #19 rank 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%. 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 more about Sociology at Cal State Fullerton

8

University of California - San Diego landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $14,310 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full University of California - San Diego Sociology Report

9

California State University - Fresno came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 147 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

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

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Full California State University - Fresno Sociology Report

10

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 301 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend 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%.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Sociology Report

11

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 403 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $11,126 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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 a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 308 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k list, CSULB has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,189 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

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

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

13

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 726 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also took the #7 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,583 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

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%.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Santa Barbara

14

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Stanislaus 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 $7,976 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 87%. 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%.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Sociology Report

15
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Santa Rosa Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Rosa, California. It awarded 115 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Sociology at Santa Rosa Junior College

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 fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 259 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,854 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUSB.

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

17

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

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k list, CSUN has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $10,780 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 CSUN

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. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 292 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Sac State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $12,602 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Sociology Report

19

California State University - East Bay ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 247 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $15,615 for California Sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $15,567 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Santa Cruz Sociology Report

21

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSUB is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 147 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

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

Full CSUB Sociology Report

22
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 141 ’s sociology degrees 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. It costs about $14,698 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Diego State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full SDSU Sociology Report

22
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

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

USC also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $22,826 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend USC.

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 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read full report on Sociology at USC

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 $48-$75k ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 214 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $17,338 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Sociology at San Jose State

25

California State University - San Marcos ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 276 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSM also took the #22 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,309 for california sociology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CSUSM.

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 California State University - San Marcos

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