Compare 57 Psychology, General. programs in California. Average earnings: $44,904.
With top graduates earning $58,545, Psychology, General. stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs in California exceeds $14K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige across the state's 57 ranked programs.
Santa Clara University's Psychology, General. program leads with graduates earning $58,545, while the program average sits at $44,904. University of the Pacific follows at $57,652 despite a 95% acceptance rate, and San Jose State achieves $55,532—demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't exclusive to highly selective institutions.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $58,545 | 105 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | High |
| #2 | University Of The PacificPrivate | $57,652 | 42 | $19,500 | Excellent | $50,438 | High |
| #3 | $55,532 | 428 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $55,156 | 156 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #5 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $55,078 | 81 | $22,940 | Good | $56,559 | High |
| #6 | $53,636 | 345 | $16,544 | Excellent | $15,738 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $53,099 | 14 | $23,691 | Good | $58,000 | High | |
| #8 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $53,096 | 134 | $23,000 | Good | $44,413 | High |
| #9 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $52,788 | 134 | $20,500 | Good | $44,954 | High |
| #10 | $52,754 | 631 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Challenging | |
| #11 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $52,185 | 78 | $23,510 | Good | $41,309 | High |
| #12 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $50,731 | 131 | $19,500 | Good | $58,361 | High |
| #13 | $49,078 | 489 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $48,599 | 408 | $15,371 | Good | $19,732 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $48,589 | 124 | $18,500 | Good | $35,000 | High | |
| #16 | $48,247 | 514 | $16,666 | Good | $28,682 | High | |
| #17 | $47,672 | 57 | $15,500 | Good | $24,257 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $47,184 | 35 | $25,000 | Manageable | $38,669 | High | |
| #19 | $46,593 | 54 | $22,990 | Manageable | $38,376 | High | |
| #20 | $46,506 | 723 | $13,750 | Excellent | $16,538 | Challenging | |
| #21 | University Of La VernePrivate | $46,284 | 104 | $23,500 | Manageable | $27,977 | High |
| #22 | $46,234 | 18 | $25,949 | Manageable | $23,250 | High | |
| #23 | Biola UniversityPrivate | $45,978 | 94 | $23,875 | Manageable | $50,726 | High |
| #24 | $45,847 | 242 | $12,750 | Excellent | $16,836 | Challenging | |
| #25 | $45,591 | 109 | $21,669 | Manageable | $32,125 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
