2026 Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools in California
[Other Research & Experimental Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/research-and-experimental-psychology-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value other research & experimental psychology schools.
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2026 Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other research & experimental psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools
California State University San Bernardino earned the #1 spot for value among other research & experimental psychology schools in California. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for other research & experimental psychology graduates is $16,750. Early-career other research & experimental psychology graduates make about $26,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other research & experimental psychology will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other research & experimental psychology schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for other research & experimental psychology graduates is $15,500. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $23,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Merced one of the best values for other research & experimental psychology. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other research & experimental psychology schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the other research & experimental psychology program here. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $29,830. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Francisco State University came in at #6 for value in other research & experimental psychology this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside came in at #7 for value in other research & experimental psychology this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $25,654. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #8 spot for other research & experimental psychology value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $12,111 to complete the other research & experimental psychology program here. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $34,450. That is a strong return on a $12,111 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Davis placed #9 among the best values for other research & experimental psychology. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other research & experimental psychology graduates is $13,219. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,301 early in their careers. Set against $13,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Pomona College placed #10 among the best values for other research & experimental psychology. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Students from in state pay about $65,420 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants.
Pitzer College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value other research & experimental psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,192. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Early-career other research & experimental psychology graduates make about $40,668. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 25%.
University Of Southern California landed the #12 spot for other research & experimental psychology value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for other research & experimental psychology graduates is $15,625. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Scripps College placed #13 among the best values for other research & experimental psychology. Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,950. Median earnings reach $77,539 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Occidental College earned the #14 position for value in other research & experimental psychology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,274. Typical student debt for other research & experimental psychology graduates is $22,967. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from Occidental College generally make around $41,514. That is a strong return on a $22,967 median debt. Occidental College admits about 44% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
