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2023 Best Value Colleges for Sociology in California (With Aid)

59 Ranked Colleges
15,499 Degrees Awarded
$11,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Getting Aid” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 38,394 people earned their degree in sociology, making the major the 20th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 15,499 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 59 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality sociology programs that also have a lower cost than 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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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 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)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 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 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%.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Los Angeles

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

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. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed 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 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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.

Full Stanford Sociology Report

3

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. 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 made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $15,023 for California Sociology students with aid per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

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%. 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 full report on Sociology at University of California - Los Angeles

4

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. UC 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. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $16,032 for california sociology students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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

5

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 - Fullerton landed the #5 spot on the list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 395 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for california sociology students with aid.

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

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Fullerton

6

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 yearly cost to attend 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 CSUDH

7

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 California State University - Fresno.

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 3.2% 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 California State University - Fresno Sociology Report

8

University of California - Irvine came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 306 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also took the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for california sociology students with aid.

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 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 more about Sociology at University of California - Irvine

9

California State University - Long Beach ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for California Sociology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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 California State University - Long Beach

10

California State University - Northridge ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 499 ’s sociology 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. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for California Sociology students with aid.

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 full report on Sociology at California State University - Northridge

11

University of California - Davis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 275 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california sociology students with aid list, UC Davis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend 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 more about Sociology at UC Davis

12

University of California - San Diego came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 161 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for California Sociology students with aid.

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 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%.

Full UCSD Sociology Report

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 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. It costs about $13,298 for california sociology students with aid per year to attend Cal State East Bay.

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%.

Full California State University - East Bay Sociology Report

14

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #14 on this year’s 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.

It costs about $6,566 for California Sociology students with aid per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

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%. 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 - Stanislaus Sociology Report

15

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 259 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for california sociology students with aid.

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

16

University of California - Riverside landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 403 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,822 for california sociology students with aid 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Sociology at UCR

17

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. 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 also made our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $11,178 for California Sociology students with aid per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Sac State Sociology Report

18

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 726 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for California Sociology students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Sociology Report

19

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. California State University - Bakersfield 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 California State University - Bakersfield is $7,454 for California Sociology students with aid.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Bakersfield

20
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Santa Rosa Junior College 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 SRJC is $6,585 for California Sociology students with aid.

Read more about Sociology at SRJC

21
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #21, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 214 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,542 for california sociology students with aid per year to attend San Jose State.

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 86%.

Full San Jose State University 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 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Sociology Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,845 for california sociology students with aid per year to attend SDSU.

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

Read full report on Sociology at San Diego State University

23

California State University - San Marcos landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 276 students 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 estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for california sociology students with aid.

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 full report on Sociology at California State University - San Marcos

24

California State University - Channel Islands did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

Read full report on Sociology at CSUCI

25

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 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. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for california sociology students with aid.

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%. 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 University of California - Santa Cruz

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