2026 Best Value General Education Schools in California

1

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

For return on investment in general education, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $68,117. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $69,882. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

4

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for general education. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,813. General Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $71,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

6

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

7

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,006. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

9

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,202. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #10 for value in general education this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

11

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.

12

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,997 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

13

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,527. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $77,823. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.

14

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #14 for value in general education this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,226. Early-career general education graduates make about $70,724. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

15

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $91,736. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

16

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $85,162. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

17

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,575. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

18

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. General Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $65,425 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $61,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

20

Lake Tahoe Community College
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Lake Tahoe Community College landed the #20 spot for general education value this year. Set in the rural area of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,131, while out-of-state students pay about $11,103. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,657 ten years after entry.

21

Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College came in at #21 for value in general education this year. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #22 for value in general education this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,031. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $80,657. Set against $18,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #23 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $67,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,501. General Education graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $64,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,501 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

25

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay came in at #25 for value in general education this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $68,140. That is a strong return on a $14,622 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.