Best colleges for Psychology in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-San Diego, Sofia University and University of California-Santa Barbara award the most Psychology degrees and certificates in California: 173, 173 and 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 California colleges offer Psychology and award 521 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Psychology program, specifically under the title 'Psychology, Other', offers a comprehensive exploration of various psychological concepts and practices. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding human behavior,…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,672 | 173 | 86% | — | $18,200 |
Colleges awarding the most Psychology degrees in California
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public | 173 | $47,672 |
| 2 | Sofia University Palo Alto Private for-profit | 173 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Public | 33 | Not reported |
| 4 | Los Angeles Harbor College Wilmington Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 5 | National University San Diego Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 6 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of La Verne La Verne Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 8 | Saint Mary's College of California Moraga Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 California colleges offering Psychology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacifica Graduate Institute (Graduate only) | Santa Barbara CA | Private for-profit | 55 |
| The Chicago School at Los Angeles (Online) | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 35 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Psychologists, All Other (SOC 19-3039).
What Psychologists, All Other earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Psychology programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Psychology degrees?+
University of California-San Diego (173 graduates a year), Sofia University (173 graduates a year) and University of California-Santa Barbara (33 graduates a year) award the most Psychology degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 California colleges offer Psychology.
Which Psychology program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of California-San Diego tops the list at $47,672. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Psychologists, All Other earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Psychologists, All Other in California is $139,610 (median $157,540), across about 1,600 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Psychology program?+
The Psychology program, specifically under the title 'Psychology, Other', offers a comprehensive exploration of various psychological concepts and practices. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding human behavior,…
What is the job outlook for Psychologists, All Other?+
The national job outlook is about +4.3% growth with around 3,900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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