[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1653 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
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Finding the Best Value General Psychology School for You
The right general psychology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value General Psychology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Psychology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in general psychology, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $35,149. Set against $13,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,923 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $31,706. Set against $10,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $30,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,177 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $7,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $36,913. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Moorpark College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Cuny City College placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Skyline College placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
California State University Fullerton ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,998 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $27,965. Set against $12,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Los Angeles placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,994. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,567. That is a strong return on a $24,994 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $10,914 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,802 early in their careers. Set against $10,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #13 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,727. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,196. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College landed the #15 spot for general psychology value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $27,421. That is a strong return on a $7,802 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #16 position for value in general psychology this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Hartnell College placed #17 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,000. General Psychology graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $24,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida landed the #19 spot for general psychology value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,897. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $51,689. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
College Of San Mateo earned the #20 position for value in general psychology this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general psychology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus placed #21 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,920 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Bakersfield College came in at #22 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,597 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $26,229. Set against $7,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno landed the #25 spot for general psychology value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $48,898. Set against $13,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Psychology. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1653 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 979 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).
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
