Unlock Your Psychology Career Potential: Compare the Best Psychology Degree Programs in California for 2025
$14,526
Avg. Net Price
64%
Avg. Admitted
22%
Avg. Enrolled
66%
Avg. Graduation Rate
19/1
Avg. Student / Faculty
Psychology Degree Programs in California
Find and compare the best psychology degree programs by state.
Number of Schools
In California, there are 82 4-year schools that offer psychology degrees
Number of Programs
With 82 schools offering psychology programs, the total number of programs offered in California is 385
Number of Graduates
The 385 psychology programs in California produced 33,298 psychology graduates in 2021

California Psychology Degrees Programs
Top (10) Psychology Programs in California
Stanford University
2021 Psychology Graduates: 55
Average Cost to Attend: $78,202
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $4,154
Average Net Price: $14,402
Average Admitted: 4%
Average Enrolled: 80%
Average Graduation Rate: 96%
Student / Faculty: 5 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 73%
California Ranking: #1
National Ranking: #2
University of California-Los Angeles
2021 Psychology Graduates: 1,610
Average Cost to Attend: $34,481
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $17,729
Average Net Price: $13,393
Average Admitted: 11%
Average Enrolled: 44%
Average Graduation Rate: 92%
Student / Faculty: 18 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 61%
California Ranking: #2
National Ranking: #15
University of Southern California
2021 Psychology Graduates: 1,529
Average Cost to Attend: $80,602
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $13,306
Average Net Price: $26,021
Average Admitted: 13%
Average Enrolled: 41%
Average Graduation Rate: 92%
Student / Faculty: 9 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 37%
California Ranking: #3
National Ranking: #29
Claremont McKenna College
2021 Psychology Graduates: 32
Average Cost to Attend: $78,482
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $739
Average Net Price: $21,663
Average Admitted: 11%
Average Enrolled: 57%
Average Graduation Rate: 93%
Student / Faculty: 8 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 93%
California Ranking: #4
National Ranking: #23
University of California-Berkeley
2021 Psychology Graduates: 472
Average Cost to Attend: $38,689
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $17,627
Average Net Price: $17,652
Average Admitted: 14%
Average Enrolled: 43%
Average Graduation Rate: 93%
Student / Faculty: 20 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 40%
California Ranking: #5
National Ranking: #27
Pitzer College
2021 Psychology Graduates: 24
Average Cost to Attend: $79,266
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $386
Average Net Price: $19,153
Average Admitted: 18%
Average Enrolled: 53%
Average Graduation Rate: 88%
Student / Faculty: 12 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 100%
California Ranking: #6
National Ranking: #43
University of California-Irvine
2021 Psychology Graduates: 1,463
Average Cost to Attend: $33,969
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $21,220
Average Net Price: $11,633
Average Admitted: 29%
Average Enrolled: 21%
Average Graduation Rate: 84%
Student / Faculty: 18 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 57%
California Ranking: #7
National Ranking: #69
University of California-San Diego
2021 Psychology Graduates: 665
Average Cost to Attend: $32,902
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $18,130
Average Net Price: $15,632
Average Admitted: 34%
Average Enrolled: 19%
Average Graduation Rate: 89%
Student / Faculty: 19 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 56%
California Ranking: #8
National Ranking: #72
University of California-Santa Barbara
2021 Psychology Graduates: 1,146
Average Cost to Attend: $34,745
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $14,275
Average Net Price: $17,333
Average Admitted: 29%
Average Enrolled: 16%
Average Graduation Rate: 85%
Student / Faculty: 17 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 61%
California Ranking: #9
National Ranking: #95
University of California-Davis
2021 Psychology Graduates: 803
Average Cost to Attend: $34,400
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $20,754
Average Net Price: $16,640
Average Admitted: 49%
Average Enrolled: 18%
Average Graduation Rate: 87%
Student / Faculty: 21 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 57%
California Ranking: #10
National Ranking: #105
Psychology Programs Offered in California
There are 385 undergraduate psychology programs offered by 82 different 4-year colleges, comprising 31 public and 51 private schools.
Additionally, psychology programs in California produced 21,365 bachelor’s graduates, 10,667 master’s graduates and 812 doctorate graduates.
The table below details the programs offered and the total number of graduates in California.
Psychology Graduates | BS | MA | PMC | PhD |
Applied Psychology | 83 | 104 | – | 27 |
Behavioral Neuroscience | 595 | – | – | – |
Biopsychology | 6 | – | – | – |
Clinical Psychology | 122 | 469 | – | 138 |
Cognitive Psychology | 36 | – | – | – |
Counseling and Applied Psychology | 301 | 3,491 | 102 | 251 |
Counseling Psychology | – | 952 | – | 2 |
Developmental Psychology | 43 | 3 | 40 | – |
Educational Psychology | – | 31 | 1 | 14 |
Experimental Psychology | 411 | 10 | – | 8 |
Forensic Psychology | 32 | 120 | 1 | 10 |
General Psychology | 14,345 | 1,093 | – | 49 |
Industrial Organizational Psychology | 11 | 214 | 21 | 23 |
Marriage and Family Therapy | – | 598 | – | 7 |
Medical Psychology | 34 | – | – | 1 |
Mental Health Counseling | – | 33 | – | – |
Research Psychology | 3,525 | 68 | 40 | 71 |
School Psychology | – | 390 | 20 | 7 |
Social Psychology | 318 | – | – | 1 |
Social Work | 1,503 | 3,071 | – | 203 |
Sport Psychology | – | 20 | – | – |
Total Graduates | 21,365 | 10,667 | 225 | 812 |
Credits Accepted for California Schools
The types of academic credits available to California students are varied and include:
- Dual enrollment
- Credit for life experiences
- Advanced placement (AP) credits
Psychology Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation in California
On average, California schools admitted 64% of students who applied to 4-year institutions. Of those who were offered admission, 22% enrolled.
The average freshman retention rate for California schools is 72%, compared to 71% for all universities nationwide.
The overall graduation rate for 4-year colleges and universities in California is 66%, compared to 56% for all universities nationwide.
The top three schools in California for highest graduation rate are Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America (100%), California Northstate University (100%), and Stanford University (96%).
The top three schools with the highest number of psychology graduates in California are University of California-Los Angeles (1,610), University of Southern California (1,529), and University of California-Irvine (1,463).
Region | California | U.S. |
Applied | 21,883 | 8,766 |
Admitted | 64% | 73% |
Enrolled | 22% | 26% |
1st Year Return | 72% | 71% |
Graduation | 66% | 56% |
Student & Faculty Information in California
In the fall of 2021, California schools that offered psychology programs had an average of 49% full-time instructional or research faculty members and 50% part-time instructional faculty members.
The average student-to-faculty ratio for California schools offering psychology programs is 19:1.
The table below shows a comparison of the percentage of full-time instructional and research faculty members and the student-to-faculty ratio between California and the United States as a whole:
Region | California | U.S. |
Full-Time Instructional | 42% | 56% |
Full-Time Research | 6% | 6% |
Part-Time Instructional | 50% | 35% |
Student Faculty Ratio | 19:1 | 15:1 |
Tuition and Student Expenses in California
If you’re an undergraduate psychology student in California, the average tuition you’ll pay depends on the institution you choose. Typically, tuition costs range from $5,742 to $60,446 per year, with an average of $22,773. In addition to tuition, you’ll also need to budget for books and supplies, which can cost between $822 and $2,700 annually, with an average of $1,251.
The three most affordable undergraduate psychology schools in California are California State University-Monterey Bay ($19,992), California State University-Fresno ($21,417), and California State University-Stanislaus ($21,676). Meanwhile, the three most expensive institutions are the University of Southern California ($80,602), Pepperdine University ($79,900), and Stanford University ($78,202).
As for prospective graduate psychology students, the average cost of tuition and fees for graduate programs varies widely based on the school and program chosen. Graduate tuition costs between $6,741 and $60,446 per year, with an average of $16,498. However, most graduate programs also require additional fees, such as application fees, technology fees, and library fees, which can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In-state graduate fees typically range from $60 to $4,453, with an average of $1,196.
The three most affordable graduate psychology schools in California are California State University-Fresno ($8,087), California State University-Los Angeles ($8,219), and California State University-Channel Islands ($8,251). Meanwhile, the three most expensive graduate programs are University of Southern California ($61,396), Occidental College ($58,426), and Stanford University ($55,011).
If you’re curious about how California schools stack up against national averages, you can compare average total expenses in the table below. Note that these figures don’t take into account financial aid, grants, loans, or scholarships. If you’re interested in that information, you can find it in the sections below.
Average Expenses for Psychology Schools | California | U.S. |
On Campus Room & Board | $14,801 | $11,729 |
On-Campus Living Expenses | $3,714 | $3,474 |
Total Living Expenses | $18,515 | $15,203 |
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $22,773 | $21,301 |
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,251 | $1,254 |
Total Undergraduate Expenses | $42,539 | $37,758 |
In-State, Graduate Tuition | $16,498 | $14,479 |
In-State, Graduate Fees | $1,196 | $1,155 |
Total Graduate Expenses | $17,694 | $15,634 |
Cost to Attend, Financial Aid, Net Price in California
Average Net Price
In California, the cost to attend a college or university that offers psychology programs is a significant financial investment. The key term to know for college affordability is the net price.
The average net price for a college or university in California that offers psychology programs is $14,526. This figure is calculated based on the most recent data provided by each institution to the US Department of Education.
Net price is determined by adding up the costs of tuition, room and board, living expenses, books, and supplies and then subtracting the average financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans, received by federal financial aid recipients.
Financial | California | U.S. |
Cost to Attend | $42,539 | $37,758 |
Average Financial Aid | $9,615 | $13,984 |
Percent Receiving Aid | 80% | 90% |
Net Price | $14,526 | $17,524 |
Net Price by Family Income
Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend California universities shown by family income bracket.
Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Average Net Price by Income | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
$0 – $30,000 | $6,610 | $5,933 |
$30,001 – $48,000 | $7,376 | $6,587 |
$48,001 – $75,000 | $10,066 | $9,483 |
$75,001 – $110,000 | $12,590 | $12,144 |
$110,001 and more | $15,589 | $16,128 |
Additional Top Ranked Psychology Degree Programs in California
Find information on each school’s ranking, number of graduates, net price, and graduation rate along with a link the school’s full 2025 report.
Psychology Salary Reports for California
We use annual surveys of 100,000 psychologists to compile data on salary, employment projections, cost-of-living adjustments, comparisons to related professions, salary based on years of experience, and rankings by city.
- Industrial Organizational Psychologists
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Psychology Teachers
- Forensic Psychologists
- School Psychologists
- Health Care Social Workers
- Social Workers
- Substance Abuse Counselors
- Marriage and Family Therapists
in addition to school websites, our Career, Salary and Program Source Data Comes from