Cheapest Clinical Colleges in California

California State University-Los Angeles offers the most affordable path to a Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology degree at just $4,113 net cost, while private institutions like Pitzer College reach $31,663. This $27,550 gap reflects California's broader education market where public universities provide significant savings through state funding and Cal Grant assistance. The state's massive healthcare system, including Kaiser Permanente's 12 million members and expansive mental health initiatives, creates steady demand for psychology graduates. Early-career earnings range from $19,455 to $31,133, with UC San Diego graduates earning the highest despite the program's $11,750 net cost. California's tech sector also increasingly values psychology professionals for user experience research and employee wellness programs. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with Cal State campuses in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Fresno all under $6,500 annually.

Programs

$4,113 – $50,168

Net Price Range

$26,549

Avg. Program Earnings

62.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$4,113	$6,813	52.6%	86.9%
2	California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, California	$5,918	$7,675	54.7%	91.1%
3	California State University-Fresno Fresno, California	$6,480	$6,980	54.8%	95.4%
4	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
5	Azusa Pacific University Azusa, California	$19,798	$43,600	64.4%	87.0%
6	Los Angeles Pacific University San Dimas, California	$20,170	$11,976	32.5%
7	Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, California	$25,009	$48,132	53.4%	75.8%
8	William Jessup University Rocklin, California	$25,300	$37,150	60.7%	65.9%
9	California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, California	$26,433	$50,670	74.0%	87.2%
10	University of La Verne La Verne, California	$26,925	$47,000	65.4%	73.5%
11	California Baptist University Riverside, California	$27,384	$39,720	59.5%	79.9%
12	Concordia University-Irvine Irvine, California	$28,046	$41,390	62.5%	69.0%
13	Biola University La Mirada, California	$28,101	$46,704	68.8%	56.6%
14	Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, California	$31,198	$56,134	69.0%	87.9%
15	Pitzer College Claremont, California	$31,663	$62,692	83.2%	18.4%
16	University of Saint Katherine San Marcos, California	$33,072	$28,800	43.5%	65.6%
17	Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, California	$50,168	$43,550	73.8%	81.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Los Angeles the cheapest psychology program?

Cal State LA's $4,113 net cost stems from California's solid state funding and generous Cal Grant program that covers full tuition for eligible students. The school serves a high percentage of low-income students, resulting in substantial financial aid packages. With an 86.94% acceptance rate, the program remains accessible while maintaining a 52.60% graduation rate.

How do public and private psychology programs compare in California?

Public universities average under $7,000 annually while private schools range from $19,798 to $31,663. UC San Diego stands out among publics with higher costs at $11,750 but delivers the strongest outcomes with an 87.60% graduation rate. Private schools like Azusa Pacific offer higher earning potential at $31,133 but require significantly more investment.

Is the job market strong for psychology graduates in California?

California's healthcare system employs thousands of mental health professionals across Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and county systems. Tech companies like Google and Apple increasingly hire psychology graduates for user research roles. The state's 40 million residents and growing mental health awareness create consistent demand, though early-career salaries range modestly from $19,455 to $31,133.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in California psychology programs?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with UC San Diego achieving 87.60% at $11,750 and Pitzer College reaching 83.20% at $31,663. However, affordable Cal State programs maintain respectable rates around 54%, proving that cost doesn't determine success. Mount Saint Mary's breaks this pattern with a 53.40% rate despite charging $25,009 annually.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.