Cheapest Psychology Colleges in California

California State University-Dominguez Hills offers the state's most affordable psychology program at just $3,659 net cost, nearly $8,000 less than the next cheapest option. This dramatic price gap reflects California's two-tier public education system, where CSU campuses serve as accessible entry points into the field. With Silicon Valley tech companies increasingly hiring psychology graduates for user experience research and behavioral analysis roles, affordable training opens doors to California's $3.6 trillion economy without crushing debt burdens.

Programs

$3,659 – $31,198

Net Price Range

$33,070

Avg. Program Earnings

68.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Psychology, Other Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, California	$3,659	$7,064	46.9%	89.1%
2	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
3	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
4	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$13,741	$7,992	64.7%	76.7%
5	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
6	National University San Diego, California	$31,058	$13,320	50.0%
7	Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, California	$31,198	$56,134	69.0%	87.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounts for the $27,000 cost difference between cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public universities like CSU-Dominguez Hills charge $3,659 net cost while private institutions like Saint Mary's College reach $31,198. California's public system receives state funding that dramatically reduces student costs, particularly at CSU campuses that prioritize accessibility over selectivity.

How do graduation rates vary between affordable and expensive psychology programs?

UC San Diego achieves an 87.6% graduation rate despite charging $11,750 net cost, while CSU-Dominguez Hills graduates 46.9% of students at $3,659. The data shows that selectivity and institutional resources often correlate with completion rates, though not always with cost.

Where do psychology graduates earn the highest starting salaries in California?

Saint Mary's College graduates earn $36,674 annually, about $6,000 more than CSU-Dominguez Hills graduates at $30,409. San Jose State graduates earn $33,993, reflecting the Bay Area's higher wages and demand for psychology skills in tech sector roles.

More Psychology, Other Rankings

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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.