2026 Best Value Psychology Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Our analysis ranked Saddleback College the best value for a degree in 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, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for psychology. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,177 in student loans. Psychology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,177 median debt.

3

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #4. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. 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 psychology schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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 landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,802 in student loans. Early-career 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 placed #7 among the best values for psychology. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. 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 psychology this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $6,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

9

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $24,894. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. 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 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 ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. 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 psychology. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $7,597 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,229. That is a strong return on a $7,597 median debt.

14

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.

15

Merced College
Merced, CA

Merced College earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $6,849 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,441. That is a strong return on a $6,849 median debt.

16

Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA

Solano Community College placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for 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.

17

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District placed #17 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.

18

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College landed the #18 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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 psychology value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,110 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

21

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #22 for value in psychology this year. 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. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.

23

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $94,152. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $16,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.