General Psychology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1653 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general psychology students pursuing a degree.
Cuesta College tops our 2026 ranking of the best general psychology schools. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. There were roughly 134 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $64,492 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958.
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Saddleback College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Saddleback College awarded about 186 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $15,890 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707.
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Foothill College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. There were roughly 91 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $94,152 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Evergreen Valley College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. This large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Evergreen Valley College awarded about 71 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Evergreen Valley College earn a median of $82,879 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,981 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes College Of The Canyons one of the top schools for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. College Of The Canyons awarded about 219 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,177.
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Diablo Valley College came in at #6 for general psychology this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 162 general psychology degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Diablo Valley College earn around $27,813 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,110.
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Bakersfield College placed #7 among the best general psychology schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 356 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Bakersfield College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $86,312 in their early career. Bakersfield College graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans.
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Santa Ana College landed the #8 spot for general psychology this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 165 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree.
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Moorpark College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Moorpark College awarded about 188 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075.
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Cypress College placed #10 among the best general psychology schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. About 124 general psychology degrees were awarded at Cypress College in the most recent year.
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Santa Barbara City College came in at #11 for general psychology this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 122 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. General Psychology graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090.
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San Joaquin Delta College came in at #12 for general psychology this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. About 195 general psychology degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Delta College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from San Joaquin Delta College earn around $65,168 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,382.
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De Anza College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. De Anza College awarded about 179 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans.
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Skyline College came in at #14 for general psychology this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Bruno. Skyline College awarded about 82 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year.
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Napa Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Napa. Napa Valley College awarded about 52 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year.
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El Camino Community College District came in at #16 for general psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. El Camino Community College District awarded about 217 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year.
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Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for general psychology this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. About 297 general psychology degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $24,894. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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Hartnell College landed the #18 spot for general psychology this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. There were roughly 111 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Hartnell College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
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Fresno City College earned the #19 position for general psychology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Fresno City College awarded about 168 general psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general psychology program make about $27,421 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,802.
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Merced College placed #20 among the best general psychology schools. This large public university is located in the city of Merced. About 370 general psychology degrees were awarded at Merced College in the most recent year. General Psychology graduates of Merced College earn a median of $34,441 early in their careers. Merced College graduates carry a median of $6,849 in student loans.
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Northern Virginia Community College landed the #21 spot for general psychology this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. About 209 general psychology degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Typical student debt for the program is $14,413.
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Salt Lake Community College earned the #22 position for general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 166 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from Salt Lake Community College earn around $32,619 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,432 to complete this degree.
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Modesto Junior College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Modesto. There were roughly 202 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at Modesto Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $25,832. Typical student debt for the program is $6,757.
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San Diego Miramar College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general psychology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 66 general psychology students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general psychology degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,098.
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College Of San Mateo came in at #25 for general psychology this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. About 77 general psychology degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1653 schools evaluated.
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).
