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2026 Best Value Applied Psychology Schools in California

5 Colleges in the United States
$28,198 Avg Student Debt
$74,328 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Applied Psychology Badge [Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/applied-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied psychology education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value applied psychology schools.

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2026 Best Value Applied Psychology Schools in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Applied Psychology Schools

1
Touro University Worldwide crest
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA

Touro University Worldwide earned the #1 spot for value among applied psychology schools in California. Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Alamitos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,640. Students borrow a median of $32,289 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $61,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Azusa Pacific University College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Azusa Pacific University College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,360 in tuition and fees. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $46,561 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University College generally make around $49,910.

3
Mount St Marys College crest
Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in applied psychology will find it at Mount St Marys College, which ranked #3. Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $49,564 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $27,000. Applied Psychology graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $41,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

4
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Students looking for strong value in applied psychology will find it at Biola University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,984 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,568 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $83,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Southern California came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $71,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

6
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University earned the #6 position for value in applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $65,541. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

View All Applied Psychology Rankings >

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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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