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. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,707. General Psychology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,177 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $17,075. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

4

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. 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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Ana College earned it the #5 place for general psychology. 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, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $7,802. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.

8

Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. 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 ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,000. General Psychology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $24,894 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo landed the #10 spot for general psychology value 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, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. 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 earned the #11 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College landed the #12 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.

13

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College landed the #13 spot for general psychology value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $7,597. 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.

14

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. 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 earned the #15 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

16

Merced College
Merced, CA

Merced College landed the #16 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Students borrow a median of $6,849 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Merced College earn a median of $34,441 early in their careers. 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 landed the #17 spot for general psychology value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.

18

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #18 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

19

Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College earned the #19 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,110 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College landed the #20 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. 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. General Psychology graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College earned the #21 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

22

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $16,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

24

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College earned the #24 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

25

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College landed the #25 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $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.