College research / Rankings

Best Psychology Colleges in California (2026)

Updated

This page ranks the 62 colleges in California that report a Psychology earnings cohort, ordered by the median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing. Santa Clara University leads the list at $75,742, followed by University of San Diego at $74,178 and University of Southern California at $70,461.

Across the 57 schools with a published figure, median earnings range from $75,742 to $33,604, and the median stands at $53,237.

The list splits evenly between public and private institutions, with 31 public and 31 private nonprofit schools. California State University-Los Angeles reports the lowest average net price on the page at $3,967, while University of California-Berkeley posts the highest six-year completion rate at 93%.

University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

The ranked list

62 schools in list order
RankSchoolMedian Psychology EarningsAverage net priceNet price, families under $30KAdmission rate
1Santa Clara University · Santa Clara, CA$75,742$50,062$22,98548.0%
Santa Clara University reports $75,742 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and ranks 1st on this list.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (122 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($75,742)

2University of San Diego · San Diego, CA$74,178$30,365$15,58652.4%
With a six-year completion rate of 84%, University of San Diego posts $74,178 in median earnings for its Psychology graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (123 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($74,178)

3University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA$70,461$32,740$13,5169.8%
University of Southern California admits 10% of applicants and its Psychology graduates earn a median of $70,461 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (183 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($70,461)

4University of California-Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA$66,171$16,109$9,23133.0%
A public university in Santa Barbara, University of California-Santa Barbara reports $66,171 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $16,109.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Research and Experimental Psychology (616 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Research and Experimental Psychology ($66,171)

5University of San Francisco · San Francisco, CA$65,071$41,431$31,53761.7%
University of San Francisco ranks 5th on this page, with Psychology graduates earning a median of $65,071 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (150 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($65,071)

6University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA$64,904$13,481$5,31111.0%
Graduates of University of California-Berkeley earn a median of $64,904 four years after completing, and the school reports an average net price of $5,311 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Research and Experimental Psychology (344 graduates)

7Azusa Pacific University · Azusa, CA$63,963$22,212$15,78188.4%
Azusa Pacific University posts a six-year completion rate of 62% and median earnings of $63,963 for its Psychology graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (150 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($63,963)

8Chapman University · Orange, CA$63,617$46,555$33,55965.4%
Chapman University admits 65% of applicants and its Psychology graduates earn a median of $63,617 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (138 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($63,617)

9Pepperdine University · Malibu, CA$61,353$58,098$50,56062.9%
Pepperdine University reports $61,353 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $50,560 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (77 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($61,353)

10Dominican University of California · San Rafael, CA$61,339$35,333$24,57283.5%
Dominican University of California ranks 10th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 78% and Psychology graduates earning a median of $61,339 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (25 graduates)

11California Baptist University · Riverside, CA$61,103$26,285$22,29884.9%
California Baptist University reports $61,103 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $26,285.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (169 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($61,103)

12University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA$61,081$12,548$5,5799.0%
University of California-Los Angeles admits 9% of applicants and its Psychology graduates earn a median of $61,081 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (648 graduates), Research and Experimental Psychology (383 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Research and Experimental Psychology ($61,134), Psychology, General ($61,050)

13Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA$60,958$48,381$32,26845.1%
Loyola Marymount University, a private nonprofit university in Los Angeles, reports $60,958 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $32,268 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (158 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($60,958)

14California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA$60,466$16,665$7,52931.3%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 31% of applicants and its Psychology graduates earn a median of $60,466 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (156 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($60,466)

15University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA$59,948$17,890$8,71765.8%
With a six-year completion rate of 75%, University of California-Santa Cruz posts $59,948 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and ranks 109th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (431 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($59,948)

16Saint Mary's College of California · Moraga, CANo published median$30,378$19,46286.5%
Saint Mary's College of California ranks 16th on this list and shows a six-year completion rate of 70% alongside an average net price of $30,378.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (40 graduates), Psychology, Other (19 graduates), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (12 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($70,123)

17California Lutheran University · Thousand Oaks, CA$59,153$30,109$22,16175.7%
California Lutheran University reports $59,153 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $22,161 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (116 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($59,153)

18Whittier College · Whittier, CA$58,397$25,757$21,71880.8%
Whittier College admits 81% of applicants and its Psychology graduates earn a median of $58,397 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (23 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($58,397)

19University of California-Davis · Davis, CA$57,378$14,741$9,21141.8%
University of California-Davis reports $57,378 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and ranks 18th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Research and Experimental Psychology (924 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Research and Experimental Psychology ($57,378)

20Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA$57,335$12,885$8,31093.4%
Sonoma State University posts a six-year completion rate of 58% and an average net price of $8,310 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (213 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($57,335)

21University of La Verne · La Verne, CA$56,925$20,161$20,15171.2%
University of La Verne reports $56,925 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $20,161.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (116 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($56,925)

22Simpson University · Redding, CA$56,902$27,817$25,51186.0%
Simpson University admits 86% of applicants and its Psychology graduates earn a median of $56,902 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (66 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($56,902)

23San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA$55,902$12,278$9,34196.4%
San Francisco State University ranks 51st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $55,902 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (398 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($55,902)

24University of Redlands · Redlands, CA$55,739$30,031$28,28782.7%
University of Redlands posts a six-year completion rate of 67% and an average net price of $28,287 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (78 graduates)

25California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA$55,196$10,229$6,23095.1%
California State University-San Marcos reports median earnings of $55,196 for its Psychology graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $10,229.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (325 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($55,196)

26University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA$55,129$14,251$8,12328.6%
A public university in Irvine, University of California-Irvine admits 29% of applicants and graduates 87% of its students within six years.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Research and Experimental Psychology (605 graduates), Psychology, General (390 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($56,380), Research and Experimental Psychology ($54,323)

27California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA$54,436$9,320$6,36097.4%
California State University-East Bay ranks 27th on this list and holds an Azimuth composite rank of 67th among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (460 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($54,436)

28California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA$54,074$13,663$9,97097.4%
With a six-year completion rate of 59%, California State University-Monterey Bay posts median earnings of $54,074 for Psychology graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (231 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($54,074)

29The Chicago School at Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA$53,952Not reportedNot reported46.3%
The Chicago School at Los Angeles, a private nonprofit institution in Los Angeles, reports an admission rate of 46% and median earnings of $53,952 for its Psychology graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (31 graduates)

30University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CANo published median$12,470$7,52526.7%
University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $12,470.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (320 graduates), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (200 graduates), Psychology, Other (116 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Research and Experimental Psychology ($63,130), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology ($56,000), Psychology, General ($51,679)

31California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA$53,237$9,338$6,50194.0%
California State University-Sacramento reports median earnings of $53,237 for its Psychology graduates four years after completing, and its average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $6,501.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (607 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($53,237)

32University of California-Merced · Merced, CA$53,143$11,983$7,94590.5%
University of California-Merced admits 91% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 69%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Research and Experimental Psychology (187 graduates), Psychology, General (134 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($53,143)

33Menlo College · Atherton, CA$52,942$31,100$25,54668.5%
A private nonprofit college in Atherton, Menlo College reports median earnings of $52,942 for Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $31,100.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (30 graduates)

34California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA$52,742$8,615$7,30393.3%
California State University-Dominguez Hills ranks 34th on this list and holds an Azimuth composite rank of 46th among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (576 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($52,742)

35Fresno Pacific University · Fresno, CA$52,695$13,630$11,13364.1%
Fresno Pacific University reports median earnings of $52,695 for its Psychology graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 50%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (34 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($52,695)

36California State University-Chico · Chico, CA$52,621$14,480$9,90292.7%
California State University-Chico admits 93% of applicants and reports an average net price of $9,902 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (346 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($52,621)

37University of the Pacific · Stockton, CA$52,612$25,447$17,00471.3%
A private nonprofit university in Stockton, University of the Pacific reports median earnings of $52,612 for its Psychology graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $25,447.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (44 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($52,612)

38California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA$51,661$6,555$3,31590.5%
California State University-Fullerton admits 91% of applicants and ranks 6th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (890 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($51,661)

39California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA$51,526$7,000$5,10595.3%
With a six-year completion rate of 57%, California State University-Fresno posts median Psychology earnings of $51,526 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (552 graduates), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (51 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($51,526)

40San Diego State University · San Diego, CA$51,021$15,364$9,91036.2%
San Diego State University ranks 40th on this list and carries an average net price of $9,910 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (699 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($51,021)

41William Jessup University · Rocklin, CA$50,354$28,062$23,12393.3%
William Jessup University, a private nonprofit institution in Rocklin, reports median Psychology earnings of $50,354 four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 56%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (37 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($50,354)

42California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA$50,348$6,067$3,93898.1%
California State University-Stanislaus graduates 53% of its students within six years and shows an average net price of $6,067.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (478 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($50,348)

43University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA$49,947$14,304$8,85276.4%
University of California-Riverside admits 76% of applicants and reports median Psychology earnings of $49,947 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Research and Experimental Psychology (578 graduates)

44California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA$49,792$7,021$4,90593.5%
Ranking 7th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, California State University-Northridge posts an average net price of $4,905 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (930 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($49,792)

45California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA$49,747$11,531$7,85175.2%
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona reports a six-year completion rate of 68% and median Psychology earnings of $49,747 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (361 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($49,747)

46Concordia University-Irvine · Irvine, CA$49,593$28,115$25,43166.0%
A private nonprofit university in Irvine, Concordia University-Irvine admits 66% of applicants and reports median Psychology earnings of $49,593 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (31 graduates), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (7 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($49,593)

47Biola University · La Mirada, CA$49,450$31,495$27,14474.4%
Biola University ranks 47th on this list and carries an average net price of $27,144 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (97 graduates), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (17 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($49,450)

48La Sierra University · Riverside, CA$49,265$45,566$44,98891.5%
With an admission rate of 92%, La Sierra University reports median Psychology earnings of $49,265 four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 60%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (14 graduates)

49California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA$49,207$5,652$3,53693.9%
California State University-Bakersfield reports $49,207 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $5,652.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (294 graduates)

50California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA$48,926$10,440$7,18346.3%
With a six-year completion rate of 69%, California State University-Long Beach ranks 50th on this list.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (528 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($48,926)

51California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA$48,789$9,849$6,85794.8%
California State University-Channel Islands admits 95% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 51%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (356 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($48,789)

52California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA$48,326$4,564$2,68193.7%
Reporting $48,326 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing, California State University-San Bernardino ranks 43rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (536 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($48,326)

53Vanguard University of Southern California · Costa Mesa, CA$47,582$21,241$17,22562.4%
A private nonprofit university in Costa Mesa, Vanguard University of Southern California reports $47,582 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (69 graduates)

54Hope International University · Fullerton, CA$47,206$29,310$27,99133.0%
Hope International University has an average net price of $29,310 and a six-year completion rate of 49%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (25 graduates)

55Point Loma Nazarene University · San Diego, CA$46,437$38,729$30,99983.7%
Point Loma Nazarene University reports $46,437 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $30,999 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (67 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($46,437)

56Touro University Worldwide · Los Alamitos, CA$46,340$19,058$18,342Not reported
Touro University Worldwide ranks 538th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 29%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (44 graduates)

57California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA$45,889$13,171$8,48398.2%
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt admits 98% of applicants and reports $45,889 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (143 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($45,889)

58Westmont College · Santa Barbara, CA$45,455$29,053$20,89977.1%
Westmont College reports $45,455 in median earnings of Psychology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $20,899 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (21 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Psychology, General ($45,455)

59Palo Alto University · Palo Alto, CANo published medianNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Palo Alto University ranks 730th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and holds the 59th spot on this page.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (16 graduates), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (9 graduates)

60California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CANo published median$3,967$2,87791.3%
California State University-Los Angeles has an average net price of $3,967 and a six-year completion rate of 53%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (343 graduates)

61San Jose State University · San Jose, CA$33,604$13,760$9,73084.6%
San Jose State University, a public university in San Jose, reports median earnings of $33,604 for its Psychology graduates two years after completing and an average net price of $13,760.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (582 graduates)

62Mount Saint Mary's University · Los Angeles, CANo published median$21,413$23,84973.1%
Mount Saint Mary's University is a private nonprofit institution in Los Angeles that admits 73% of applicants and has a six-year completion rate of 53%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Psychology, General (44 graduates), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (15 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology ($52,940)

How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Psychology graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Psychology earnings cohort in California appear. The figure reflects federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 1 of the 62 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 57 schools with a published figure. The gap between Santa Clara University and University of San Diego is $1,564, while the spread from the top of the list to the bottom reaches $42,138.