by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 217 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for psychology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat Skyline College this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for psychology. 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the psychology program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #4. 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 psychology graduates is $7,597. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,229. That is a strong return on a $7,597 median debt.
A rank of #5 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $7,177 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $7,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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College Of San Mateo earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the psychology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,802 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $27,421 early in their careers. Set against $7,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College placed #8 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,306. Psychology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #10 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #11 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,288. Early-career psychology graduates make about $23,008. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Hartnell College landed the #13 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Imperial Valley College came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Psychology graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $24,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College placed #16 among the best values for psychology. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $10,575 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #17 position for value in psychology this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,688 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,727. That is a strong return on a $13,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
West Valley College came in at #18 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Psychology graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Irvine Valley College landed the #20 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Psychology graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,196. 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.
Moreno Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,643. Psychology graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the psychology program here. 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.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,538 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Ventura College landed the #25 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,250. Early-career psychology graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 217 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.