2026 Best Value Other Psychology Schools in California
[Other Psychology](/majors/psychology/other-psychology/psychology-other/) 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 20 schools to find the best return on investment for other psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Other Psychology Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Psychology Schools
University Of California San Diego earned the #1 spot for value among other psychology schools in California. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Other Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other psychology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $47,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Los Angeles Harbor College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Los Angeles Harbor College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,568. Other Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,488 in student loans. Other Psychology graduates of Los Angeles Harbor College earn a median of $91,233 early in their careers. Set against $11,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Other Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other psychology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Set against $15,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Azusa Pacific University earned it the #4 place for other psychology. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the other psychology program here. Soon after graduation, other psychology degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $73,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
National University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Typical student debt for other psychology graduates is $30,426. Soon after graduation, other psychology degree recipients from National University generally make around $69,080. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Other 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
