2026 Best Value General Education Schools in California

1

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value general education schools in California. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,117. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

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. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,525. 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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for general education. 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. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $69,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at California State University Bakersfield, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

5

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.

6

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general education program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $58,006 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #8 for value in general education this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,492. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,526. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

11

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College placed #11 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.

12

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands placed #12 among the best values for general education. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $16,997 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

13

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,823. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

14

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $70,724. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

15

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #15 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $91,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

16

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,492. General Education graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $85,162 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

17

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,575 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $26,106. That is a strong return on a $15,575 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

18

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 96%.

19

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #19 among the best values for general education. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. 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. General Education graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $61,108 early in their careers. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

20

Lake Tahoe Community College
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Lake Tahoe Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,131, with out-of-state students paying around $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 landed the #21 spot for general education value this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,958. General Education graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Set against $18,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #22 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.

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. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,097. General Education graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $67,010 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

24

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $64,620. Set against $15,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. General Education graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $68,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.