Compare 8 Social Psychology. programs in California. Average earnings: $41,197.
With top graduates earning $57,559, Social Psychology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $16K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The data puts University Of California-Los Angeles first, with Social Psychology graduates earning $57,559, well above the $41,197 average across California's 8 programs. UC Davis follows at $53,955, with UC Santa Barbara close behind at $53,297—demonstrating how UC campuses dominate this field despite varying admissions selectivity.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UCLA graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 5.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Thomas Aquinas College leads with a 16% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $57,559
Strong outcomes with 79% acceptance
5.5% payment burden | Excellent
16.0% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $57,559 | 400 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $53,955 | 806 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $53,297 | 579 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $50,813 | 698 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Thomas Aquinas CollegePrivate | $38,027 | 30 | $18,000 | Manageable | $0 | Manageable |
| #6 | $34,450 | 275 | $13,000 | Manageable | $28,508 | High | |
| #7 | $25,654 | 600 | $17,500 | High | $18,275 | High | |
| #8 | $15,817 | 85 | $15,500 | High | $24,257 | 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 →
