2026 Best Value General Psychology Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Our analysis ranked Saddleback College the best value for a degree in general psychology in the United States. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for general psychology. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,177 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $51,913. Set against $7,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.

5

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.

6

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,802 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $27,421. Set against $7,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Miramar College came in at #7 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. 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. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College landed the #9 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $24,894. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

10

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

11

Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College landed the #11 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.

12

Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.

13

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $7,597. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,229. Set against $7,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general psychology program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.

15

Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA

Solano Community College came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

16

Merced College
Merced, CA

Merced College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $6,849 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,441. Set against $6,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District placed #17 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.

18

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College landed the #19 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $7,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

22

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

23

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College landed the #23 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $16,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

25

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $6,176. General Psychology graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.