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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools

154 Colleges in the United States
$24,067 Avg Student Debt
$60,600 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Psychology Master's Degree Badge [General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1653 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Psychology Schools

1

Cuny Queens College tops our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $30,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes California State University Stanislaus one of the best values for general psychology. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,920 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $64,812. Set against $13,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

3
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. 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%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,998 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,925. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

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6

California State University Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,994 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $37,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,727. Set against $13,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

8

California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

9
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the general psychology program here. 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.

10

California State University Northridge ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $28,603 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

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Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #11 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $19,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $59,508. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

12

Florida International University came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $41,772. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

13

California State University San Marcos ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,312 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,355. Set against $18,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.

14

The University Of West Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,915. General Psychology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $42,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

15
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $12,505 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $41,299. Set against $12,505 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

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16

San Francisco State University came in at #16 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $34,803. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

17

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,565. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

18

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #18 for value in general psychology this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,580. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

19

San Jose State University came in at #19 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

20

Middle Tennessee State University placed #20 among the best values for general psychology. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $59,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $46,534. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

22

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,751 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $29,099 early in their careers. Set against $22,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

23

University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,952 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $52,139 early in their careers. Set against $21,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

24

Utah State University placed #24 among the best values for general psychology. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $18,461. General Psychology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $58,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

25

Fayetteville State University placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
32
33
34
35
36
37
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
38
39
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA
47
48
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
49
50

Other General Psychology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general psychology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Psychology
Associate's Degrees in General Psychology
Bachelor's Degrees in General Psychology
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View All General Psychology Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 1653 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 154 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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