2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in California

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Long Beach the best value for a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology in California. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $81,000. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

2

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $47,204. Set against $14,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #3 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $81,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. 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. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

6

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #6 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #7 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $26,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $45,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

10

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University came in at #10 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $60,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

11

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $84,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

12

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #12 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $84,055. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

13

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University earned the #13 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

14

Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA

Touro University Worldwide came in at #14 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,640. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $32,289. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Touro University Worldwide generally make around $61,331. Set against $32,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $80,727. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.

16

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands landed the #16 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $57,218. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific landed the #17 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $79,628. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

18

Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St Marys College placed #18 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Mount St Marys College generally make around $41,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount St Marys College admits about 73% of applicants.

19

William Jessup University
Rocklin, CA

William Jessup University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. William Jessup University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,420. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of William Jessup University earn a median of $46,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Jessup University admits about 93% of applicants.

20

Azusa Pacific University College
San Dimas, CA

Azusa Pacific University College placed #20 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Azusa Pacific University College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San Dimas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,360. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $46,561 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Azusa Pacific University College earn a median of $49,910 early in their careers.

21

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University earned the #21 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,560. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $72,291. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

22

University Of La Verne
La Verne, CA

University Of La Verne ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.

23

La Sierra University
Riverside, CA

La Sierra University landed the #23 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. La Sierra University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $37,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $29,507. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from La Sierra University generally make around $83,990. Set against $29,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Sierra University admits about 92% of applicants.

24

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $55,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

25

Simpson University
Redding, CA

Simpson University came in at #25 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Redding, Simpson University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,708. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $22,648. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Simpson University generally make around $59,718. Set against $22,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.