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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology in California (With Aid)

22 Ranked Colleges
164 Degrees Awarded
$26,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master's in California For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Sociology is the 20th most popular major in the country with 37,747 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across California, there were 14,493 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 164 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree sociology students with aid.

Top 22 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology in California (With Aid)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Full Stanford Sociology Report

#18 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUDH, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Sociology Report

#17 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 12 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Cal State LA

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students with aid list, CSUN has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955.

Full CSUN Sociology Report

#10 in overall quality

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State Fullerton Sociology Report

#5 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 8 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Irvine Sociology Report

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students with aid list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Read full report on Sociology at UCLA

#2 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Berkeley

#9

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at SDSU

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 1 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students with aid list, CSULB has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784.

Full California State University - Long Beach Sociology Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Sac State Sociology Report

University of California - San Diego landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students with aid list, UCSD has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSD Sociology Report

#13

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students with aid list, UCR has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCR Sociology Report

#14

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#11 in overall quality

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790.

Full San Jose State Sociology Report

#15

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at University of California - Santa Barbara

#16 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. CSUSM is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 10 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661.

Read full report on Sociology at CSUSM

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Davis Sociology Report

#14 in overall quality

University of California - Merced came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UC Merced not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854.

Full UC Merced Sociology Report

#19

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#19 in overall quality

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Humboldt State University

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Santa Cruz

#13 in overall quality

The University of Arizona Global Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. The University of Arizona Global Campus is a private for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UAGC also took the #13 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Arizona Global Campus are $14,664, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at UAGC

#22

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of Southern California landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USC Sociology Report

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Kontos.

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