University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for psychology in California.
What is Psychology?
Future students who plan to earn a psychology degree in California should have no trouble finding the degree program they want. One of the best ways to go about this is to consider different universities and colleges based on what they offer. By doing so, they can find the program that matches their career plans. However, just as important, is making sure that you understand the education and experience required for whatever career you are hoping to enter so that you can ensure that you will be employable in the field.
California has the largest economy of any U.S. state; it is also the fifth largest worldwide. While the psychology and mental health field in general are not the largest industries in the state, students, professionals, and people who may seek mental health services will certainly be interested in finding the therapist, counselor, or psychologist they need in a state so large and with such variable demographics.
Educational services, healthcare, and social assistance rank fifth in California’s top ten industries. Annually, they contribute $218.3 billion to the state’s coffers. If students were to look at a map that shows them which states rank the highest in employment opportunities for a psychologist, California would be #1. The average annual salary for psychologists in the state is $97,000.
Some of the statistics show that the state has 660 total jobs for psychologists, which isn’t a particularly high number considering the number of people in the state overall. However, students can also find positions as crisis intervention counselors, addiction counselors, psychology aides, social workers, youth counselors, education or guidance counselors, family and child therapists, and much more.
Not only is California the state with the highest number of psychologists, it is #1 in granting psychology degrees, with options available from some of the best psychology colleges in California. The state holds more than 450 colleges and universities, which offer a plethora of opportunities for future psychologists looking for an excellent education.
Students seeking the right college or university for their career goals may find schools in the major metropolitan areas. These areas are San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Featured Psychology Programs
Top Ranked Campus & Online Psychology Programs in California
Stanford University
Score: 94.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,484
- Out-of-State:$62,484
- Net Price: $18,279
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 18,283
- Undergrad Students: 8,049
- Graduate Students: 10,234
- Grads Salary: $116,000
- Student-to-faculty: 5:1
University of California-Berkeley
Score: 84.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,850
- Out-of-State:$45,627
- Net Price: $19,257
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 45,307
- Undergrad Students: 32,479
- Graduate Students: 12,828
- Grads Salary: $97,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of California-Los Angeles
Score: 82.48
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,747
- Out-of-State:$44,524
- Net Price: $16,999
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 46,430
- Undergrad Students: 32,423
- Graduate Students: 14,007
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of California-Irvine
Score: 80.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,237
- Out-of-State:$45,014
- Net Price: $14,033
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
- Total Enrollment: 35,937
- Undergrad Students: 28,662
- Graduate Students: 7,275
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of California-San Diego
Score: 80.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,265
- Out-of-State:$46,042
- Net Price: $16,111
- Acceptance Rate: 24%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 42,006
- Undergrad Students: 33,096
- Graduate Students: 8,910
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of Southern California
Score: 78.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,237
- Out-of-State:$68,237
- Net Price: $36,808
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 48,945
- Undergrad Students: 20,699
- Graduate Students: 28,246
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of California-Davis
Score: 78.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,247
- Out-of-State:$46,024
- Net Price: $17,385
- Acceptance Rate: 37%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Total Enrollment: 39,679
- Undergrad Students: 31,532
- Graduate Students: 8,147
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,075
- Out-of-State:$30,995
- Net Price: $19,184
- Acceptance Rate: 30%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 22,000
- Undergrad Students: 21,026
- Graduate Students: 974
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
San Diego State University
Score: 74.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,290
- Out-of-State:$20,170
- Net Price: $13,017
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 37,402
- Undergrad Students: 32,194
- Graduate Students: 5,208
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 25:1
University of California-Santa Cruz
Score: 73.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,560
- Out-of-State:$45,337
- Net Price: $17,975
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 77%
- Total Enrollment: 19,478
- Undergrad Students: 17,502
- Graduate Students: 1,976
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
Pitzer College
Score: 73.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,692
- Out-of-State:$62,692
- Net Price: $39,809
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 1,212
- Undergrad Students: 1,212
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
California State University-Long Beach
Score: 72.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,008
- Out-of-State:$18,888
- Net Price: $9,346
- Acceptance Rate: 40%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 38,973
- Undergrad Students: 32,931
- Graduate Students: 6,042
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
San Jose State University
Score: 72.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,992
- Out-of-State:$19,872
- Net Price: $14,219
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 35,751
- Undergrad Students: 26,863
- Graduate Students: 8,888
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Santa Clara University
Score: 72.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $59,241
- Out-of-State:$59,241
- Net Price: $50,551
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 9,178
- Undergrad Students: 6,115
- Graduate Students: 3,063
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
California State University-Fullerton
Score: 71.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State:$18,953
- Net Price: $7,925
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 40,386
- Undergrad Students: 35,432
- Graduate Students: 4,954
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
University of San Diego
Score: 70.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $56,444
- Out-of-State:$56,444
- Net Price: $36,008
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 8,815
- Undergrad Students: 5,669
- Graduate Students: 3,146
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of California-Riverside
Score: 70.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,170
- Out-of-State:$44,947
- Net Price: $14,487
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 26,809
- Undergrad Students: 22,911
- Graduate Students: 3,898
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Cal Poly Pomona
Score: 70.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,439
- Out-of-State:$19,319
- Net Price: $12,480
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 27,503
- Undergrad Students: 25,181
- Graduate Students: 2,322
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 25:1
Saint Mary's College of California
Score: 67.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $56,134
- Out-of-State:$56,134
- Net Price: $32,129
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 2,765
- Undergrad Students: 2,003
- Graduate Students: 762
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
California State University-Chico
Score: 67.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,064
- Out-of-State:$19,944
- Net Price: $15,517
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 14,183
- Undergrad Students: 12,981
- Graduate Students: 1,202
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Pepperdine University
Score: 67.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $66,742
- Out-of-State:$66,742
- Net Price: $47,804
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 10,030
- Undergrad Students: 3,662
- Graduate Students: 6,368
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
California Lutheran University
Score: 67.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $50,670
- Out-of-State:$50,670
- Net Price: $30,416
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 3,615
- Undergrad Students: 2,513
- Graduate Students: 1,102
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of Redlands
Score: 66.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $57,614
- Out-of-State:$57,614
- Net Price: $28,157
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 3,460
- Undergrad Students: 2,313
- Graduate Students: 1,147
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Occidental College
Score: 66.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,446
- Out-of-State:$63,446
- Net Price: $44,853
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 1,942
- Undergrad Students: 1,942
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of La Verne
Score: 66.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,000
- Out-of-State:$47,000
- Net Price: $25,103
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 5,662
- Undergrad Students: 3,365
- Graduate Students: 2,297
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
