Best Psychology, General Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
16
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$191,944
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$34,615
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California State University-Fresno
Grad rate: 55.5% |
+$671,060 | $77,418 | $18,650 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 | Claremont Graduate University | +$429,040 | $63,452 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 | Golden Gate University | +$412,980 | $62,649 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Grad rate: 85.3% |
+$376,824 | $63,833 | $29,918 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Grad rate: 46.1% |
+$276,036 | $58,243 | $24,412 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
California State University-Chico
Grad rate: 63.9% |
+$242,080 | $56,663 | $25,590 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts Global | +$193,450 | $55,009 | $33,365 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
National University
Grad rate: 44.0% |
+$143,948 | $52,909 | $37,116 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 | Antioch University-Los Angeles | +$137,260 | $48,863 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 | Antioch University-Santa Barbara | +$137,260 | $48,863 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 | The Chicago School at Anaheim | +$122,480 | $48,124 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles | +$122,480 | $48,124 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Grad rate: 66.5% |
+$59,076 | $47,221 | $22,672 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Pepperdine University
Grad rate: 84.4% |
-$57,824 | $47,629 | $85,202 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 | Northcentral University | -$67,980 | $38,601 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Psychology, General Degrees by State
Browse Psychology, General programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.