11 Top Psychology Bachelor’s Programs in California

California’s large educational landscape includes more than 500 colleges and universities that offer psychology programs. Students who choose this career path can expect both professional growth and financial stability. As an aspiring psychologist, you’ll need to start somewhere, and a bachelor’s degree is often the starting point.

Psychology graduates in California earn attractive salaries ranging from $96,000 to $132,000 based on their specialty. The state’s mental health care system currently meets only 22% of its needs. This gap creates excellent job opportunities for new graduates entering the psychology field.

Students can choose from 34 APA-accredited Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs in California. Those starting their psychology education need to pick the right bachelor’s program first. This guide examines California’s 11 best undergraduate psychology programs to help students choose the ideal starting point for their career in psychology.

1. University of California-Irvine

UC Irvine’s psychology program ranks among the nation’s best, securing ninth place among public universities and 20th overall nationwide according to US News & World Report. This achievement stands out even more since it marks the program’s first appearance in these rankings.

Program Overview

The undergraduate psychology program at UC Irvine serves roughly 1,200 students with a dynamic curriculum taught by 31 faculty members who excel as prominent scholars. These experts specialize in developmental, social, personality, health, psychology and law, biological, clinical, cultural, community, environmental, and ecological psychology. The faculty share a passion to understand human behavior throughout life stages and in a variety of sociocultural contexts. They also show steadfast dedication to interdisciplinary scholarship that tackles significant societal challenges.

Specializations Offered

Students at UC Irvine can pursue a complete psychology curriculum in several core areas:

• Developmental, social, health, and abnormal psychology
• Environmental, clinical, and community psychology
• Advanced courses that look at psychological aspects of societal issues (child abuse, violence, divorce, work-family dynamics, community health)
• Strong foundation in research methods and statistics

The B.S. in Psychology helps students learn about the mind and brain through physical and biological sciences. Students take courses in cognitive psychology, language and developmental psychology, clinical psychology, and cognitive neuroscience.

Admission Requirements

Competition runs high for spots in UCI’s psychology program. Students who want to switch their major to B.S. in Psychology must maintain a cumulative UC GPA of 2.7 and a 2.0 GPA for the quarter before changing majors. They also need to complete PSYC 9A, PSYC 9C, and three lower-division science courses with at least a 3.0 GPA across these five courses.

Tuition and Financial Aid

New undergraduate students in 2025-26 can expect these estimated costs based on where they live:

• California residents: $35,463 (living at home) to $43,690 (on-campus)
• Non-residents: Additional $37,602 in tuition and fees

UCI makes education affordable – 72% of students receive grants and scholarships, while 57% pay no tuition. The university meets 78% of its students’ financial needs. The Tuition Stability Plan keeps tuition rates steady for up to six years after enrollment, which makes financial planning easier.

Career Preparation

The psychology program equips students with real-life experience through:

• Required internships in the Field Study Program at schools, counseling centers, healthcare facilities, and social service agencies
• Research projects with faculty members
• Training for careers in research, counseling, social work, human resources, education, and health services

Program graduates work in both private and public sectors or advance to top graduate schools. Many pursue advanced degrees in psychology, education, human development, public health, social work, counseling, law, and business.

Why Choose This Program

UCI’s psychology program shines with several unique advantages:

• Faculty recognized for their contributions in cognitive sciences, social psychology, and developmental psychology
• A curriculum that blends psychological theory with practical research and data analysis skills
• Elective options that let students focus on their interests
• Location in Southern California creates countless internship and job opportunities
• Excellent track record of graduates entering advanced education programs

UCI also ranks No. 16 on The New York Times’ College-Access Index and consistently ranks among top public universities nationwide.

2. University of California-Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz has a standout psychology program that blends different fields of study with ground experience. Students can shape their education path to match their career goals in psychology.

Program Overview

UC Santa Cruz gives students two ways to earn their psychology degree: a general psychology major and an intensive psychology major through the Bachelor of Arts program. The general track builds a strong base in human behavior and prepares students to work in counseling, social work, teaching, and human resources. Students who plan to go to graduate school might prefer the intensive track. It has more upper-division courses in advanced research methods and needs independent study. The university also offers a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science to help students understand brain processes behind thinking and perception by bringing together viewpoints from different scholarly fields.

Specializations Offered

The psychology department structures its teaching around three main research areas:

• Developmental Psychology: This track looks at how individual, interpersonal, and cultural aspects shape human development. Faculty members use both qualitative and quantitative methods
• Cognitive Psychology: The program breaks down human perception, memory, and language through behavioral, neuroscience, and computational modeling approaches
• Social Psychology: Students learn about people in social settings. Classes focus on social justice themes and discuss issues of race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, and ability

Admission Requirements

New students need to meet UC admission requirements with a solid background in English, mathematics through precalculus, natural sciences, and social sciences. Transfer students should have a 3.0 GPA overall in transferable courses and at least a 3.1 GPA in psychology courses. Students must pick their major by their sixth quarter at UCSC. Transfer students need to decide by their second quarter. The General Catalog lists all requirements to declare a psychology major.

Tuition and Financial Aid

California residents will pay about $16,785 for tuition and fees in 2025-26 ($14,934 for tuition/student services plus $1,851 in campus fees). Non-residents pay an extra $36,747. The university gives out more than $6 million in undergraduate scholarships each year. More than half of California undergraduates don’t pay any tuition. Outstanding students can get the Regents Scholarship ($5,000 yearly) or the Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award ($20,000 total).

Career Preparation

Students get ground experience through:

• A field study program that lets them use classroom knowledge in professional settings (10 hours weekly for two quarters)
• Research internships with faculty projects
• Senior thesis work with faculty guidance
• Study abroad options with pre-approved courses that count toward their major

Psychology graduates work in many fields like academic research, counseling, education, forensic psychology, market research, and social services. Cognitive science graduates often work in research, tech companies focusing on human-computer interaction, or healthcare roles treating brain disorders.

Why Choose This Program

UCSC’s psychology program stands out because it mixes different fields of study, focuses on social justice, and gives students hands-on learning chances. The department’s teachers want to encourage deep understanding of human behavior and the human mind through strong programs in cognitive science and psychology. Students get both theory and practice, making them ready for graduate school or immediate work. Psychology jobs are growing quickly in the United States, and UCSC’s program helps students make the most of these chances.

3. San Diego State University

San Diego State University leads the way in psychology education. The campus produces more psychology graduates than any other major. Students benefit from a perfect blend of academic rigor, research opportunities, and hands-on experience.

Program Overview

The psychology department at SDSU has grown into a thriving community. Current enrollment shows 2,344 bachelor’s students, 62 master’s students, and 60 doctoral students as of Fall 2025. The department awarded 669 bachelor’s degrees, 38 master’s degrees, and 9 doctoral degrees in the 2024-2025 academic year. Students learn about human development, learning, thinking, and emotions in a variety of settings – from labs to healthcare facilities.

Specializations Offered

Students can choose from three bachelor’s degree paths in psychology:

• A. in Psychology (Liberal Arts & Sciences) – Traditional psychology major that covers social, industrial/organizational, developmental, and cognitive areas
• A. with Emphasis in Industrial/Organizational Psychology – Students learn skills needed for human resources and corporate environments
• A. with Emphasis in Neuroscience – Students learn about biological foundations of behavior and cognition

Each path requires students to complete core courses in introductory psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, physiological psychology, and statistics.

Admission Requirements

Students need a 2.50 cumulative GPA to declare most psychology majors, while the neuroscience emphasis needs a 3.00 GPA. Major preparation courses include PSY 101, 201, 211, 230, 260, 280, and biology requirements. Each emphasis has specific minimum grade requirements.

Tuition and Financial Aid

California residents pay $9,180 in undergraduate tuition and fees for 2025-26. Total yearly costs range from $24,584 for students living with parents to $37,324 for on-campus housing. Non-resident students pay an extra $444 per unit. Psychology graduates typically leave with $15,000 in federal loan debt.

Career Preparation

Students can build their careers through:

• Peer advising programs that offer up to 6 units of credit
• Professional field study placements
• Faculty research internships
• Career Services programs that prepare students for the workforce

Why Choose This Program

SDSU’s psychology department stands out with its nationally ranked clinical psychology doctoral program. The department’s specialized facilities include an on-campus MRI center for cutting-edge neuroscience research. Students get real-world experience treating patients at the SDSU Psychology Clinic. Graduates find rewarding careers in business, government, non-profits, healthcare, and research. The strong foundation in research methods and data analysis opens doors to both immediate employment and graduate studies.

4. California State University-Los Angeles

California State LA’s psychology program stands out with its hands-on mentoring and research-focused approach. The program excels at preparing students for doctoral studies by developing their research literacy skills, making it unique among California’s psychology programs.

Program Overview

Cal State LA provides a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology that works both as preparation for advanced study and a standalone liberal arts degree. Students must complete 120 units with 50-51 units in their major based on course selection. The department pairs new students with dedicated mentors who help plan their academic path to success. Faculty advisors become research partners and guides as students progress through their studies.

Specializations Offered

The psychology department offers these degree paths:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: A versatile foundation that studies human behavior in all domains
• Master of Arts in Psychology: Builds research and conceptual skills to prepare for doctoral programs
• Master of Science in Forensic Psychology: Readies students for criminal justice system careers

Undergraduates can also choose specialized course sequences in Early Childhood Education and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Admission Requirements

Cal State LA sets a minimum 2.75 GPA for undergraduate admission. Transfer students need at least 60 transferable semester units with a 2.0 GPA minimum. Graduate program applicants without a psychology bachelor’s degree can get conditional admission. They must complete 23 prerequisite units with a 3.0 GPA minimum before starting master’s courses. Applications should include three recommendation letters (two academic), a statement of purpose, and transcripts.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Annual in-state undergraduate tuition and fees cost about $7,530. Students living on campus pay around $36,186 yearly including housing, meals, and extras. About 86% of students get financial aid with packages averaging $16,553. Net prices vary based on family income, from $2,855 for households under $30,000 to $14,599 for those above $110,000.

Career Preparation

Cal State LA psychology graduates work in various fields:

• Human resources management
• Social work
• Probation and corrections
• Therapeutic services
• Sales and marketing

Students develop strong research methods and data analysis skills that help them succeed in both jobs and graduate school.

Why Choose This Program

Cal State LA’s psychology department offers unique advantages. The exceptional mentoring system gives students tailored guidance throughout their studies. Research-focused training builds analytical skills that employers and graduate schools value. The diverse student community enriches learning—76% of bachelor’s graduates and 79% of master’s recipients are women, with Hispanic/Latino students forming the largest ethnic group. Los Angeles location opens doors to countless internship and job opportunities in one of California’s biggest cities.

5. California State University-Stanislaus

CSU Stanislaus is a 10-year old powerhouse in psychology education across California, with approximately 10,481 total students and nearly 500 psychology graduates each year. The Psychology Department combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications to create a well-rounded curriculum.

Program Overview

The Psychology Department at CSU Stanislaus helps students understand human behavior through scientific methods. Students can enhance their liberal arts education, build strong psychology backgrounds for their careers, or prepare for graduate studies. Faculty members work alongside students to analyze behavioral problems using theoretical and empirical tools.

Specializations Offered

CSU Stanislaus gives students several degree options:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with optional concentrations in:
  • Developmental Psychology: Studying human developmental processes
  • Experimental Psychology: Preparation for graduate training in experimental or clinical psychology
• Master of Arts in Psychology: General (30 units) and Applied Behavior Analysis (40 units)
• Master of Science in Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy concentration with Behavior Analysis (61 units) and Counseling (60 units) tracks

Admission Requirements

CSU Stanislaus has an acceptance rate of 95%, and 17% of admitted students choose to enroll. Students who want to major in psychology must complete specific prerequisites, keep a minimum 2.0 GPA, and pass 24 units of upper-division psychology courses.

Graduate programs require a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students need to complete prerequisite courses with a B grade or better, submit three recommendation letters, and write a personal statement.

Tuition and Financial Aid

In-state students pay about $5,742 yearly while out-of-state students pay $17,622. Students typically pay a net price of $7,230. The school supports 88% of new students with financial aid, offering average grants or scholarships of $9,197.

Career Preparation

Students build real-world experience through:

• Field study in professional settings
• Faculty research collaborations
• Teaching assistantships

Why Choose This Program

The program’s scientist-practitioner model prepares students for jobs in local businesses, government agencies, school districts, and mental health organizations. Graduates excel in teaching, special education, guidance counseling, behavior analysis, and mental health counseling. Students present their work at bi-annual research conferences, which gives them hands-on experience that employers value highly.

6. California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento State’s psychology department runs a detailed program that educates, researches, and practices psychology. Students grow intellectually and personally as they prepare for their careers.

Program Overview

Sacramento State’s psychology program uses scientific methods to study mind and behavior. The program covers research areas of all types. Faculty members bring expertise from different areas to their teaching. The department shows a strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department, school, community, and psychology field. The program attracts many students, and the undergraduate major is officially affected by its high demand.

Specializations Offered

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology is 46-50 total units. The coursework covers several key areas:

• Required Lower Division Courses: Introductory Psychology, Human Development, Methods, and Statistics
• Upper Division Core: Cross-Cultural Psychology and Research Methods
• Specialized Areas: Students choose courses in biological processes, cognitive/learning processes, and individual/social processes

Students learn about different psychological views like cognitive, clinical, cultural, developmental, and neuroscience throughout their studies.

Admission Requirements

Sacramento State will start a pre-major requirement for psychology in Fall 2026. Students must:

• Get university admission first
• Complete prerequisites with grades of ‘C-‘ or better
• Submit their psychology major eligibility form after grade posting

Transfer students can check ASSIST.org to find equivalent courses that meet prerequisites.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The 2025-26 academic year costs:

• Full-time tuition (6.1+ units): $3,225 per semester
• Mandatory campus fees: $1,282 per semester
• Total per semester: $4,507

Non-resident students pay extra fees. The Student Fee Assistance Program (SFAP) gives $298 back to students who qualify. About 75% of first-year students get need-based financial aid.

Career Preparation

The Career Center’s Roadmap to Career Readiness program helps students:

1. Explore: Know themselves, identify career skills, and research majors
2. Discover: Find internships, build resumes, and network
3. Experience: Get career mentoring and apply for internships
4. Pursue: Plan job searches and prepare for interviews

Psychology graduates can work in public service, education, and business where understanding human behavior matters.

Why Choose This Program

This program stands out for good reasons. The faculty brings expertise from different areas and builds strong academic foundations. Students get hands-on experience through research and career prep. Sacramento State’s psychology professors know their field well and share valuable knowledge. The diverse community helps students understand psychological principles in different cultural settings. Many graduates now work successfully in counseling, research, human resources, and social services.

7. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona’s psychology program stands out among California’s psychology programs through its unique “learn by doing” philosophy. Students achieve success through hands-on education, research, and professional activities.

Program Overview

The Psychology BA program delivers detailed undergraduate education about human behavior. Students develop critical skills through direct experience in research methodology and statistics. The curriculum covers developmental, social, cognitive, clinical, and physiological psychology and students get opportunities to conduct original research.

Specializations Offered

The program trains students in five core areas:

• Scientific literacy (research design and data analysis)
• Knowledge (theoretical perspectives and concepts)
• Communication (literature reviews and APA-format writing)
• Application (applying theories to real-life situations)

Admission Requirements

California residents need a 2.50 GPA or higher in required “a-g” courses. Non-California residents must maintain a 3.00 GPA minimum. The department has specific requirements for transfer students and major changes.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Annual in-state tuition costs $8,148 [link_1]. Total expenses range from $24,322 for commuters to $29,930 for on-campus students. Non-resident students pay an additional $13,320.

Career Preparation

The Career Center provides essential tools like VMock for resume feedback, Big Interview for interview preparation, and Handshake for job searches.

Why Choose This Program

Students highlight the program’s practical approach, calling it “an excellent school to quite literally get your hands dirty”. The faculty holds doctoral degrees and focuses on research, preparing students well for careers or graduate studies.

8. University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA’s psychology program ranks among the top 5 majors on campus and is one of California’s most popular programs. The Psychology Department aims to advance human behavior understanding at multiple analysis levels while pursuing excellence in psychological science.

Program Overview

The Psychology B.A. program helps students prepare for graduate education or careers that need human behavior knowledge. Students learn about behavioral neuroscience, clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology through the curriculum.

Specializations Offered

Students can choose from two main categories with many course options:

• Biological/Cognitive: Learning, behavioral neuroscience, sensation, perception
• Social/Developmental: Clinical psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, health psychology

Admission Requirements

A 2.9 GPA in preparation courses guarantees major entry for freshmen. Transfer students must complete prerequisites in biology, chemistry/physics, philosophy, psychology, and statistics.

Tuition and Financial Aid

California residents pay $43,137 annually. Non-resident costs include an extra $37,602. UCLA graduates show a remarkable 99% success rate in loan repayment.

Career Preparation

The program lets students build research experience through lab courses or faculty research projects. Hands-on research experience gives students an edge in job hunting and graduate school applications.

Why Choose This Program

UCLA’s psychology faculty conducts outstanding research from neural to sociocultural levels. The Los Angeles location gives students access to many internship and job opportunities.

9. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s psychology program ranks among the best psychology programs in California. The “Learn by Doing” philosophy runs through every part of the curriculum.

Program Overview

The psychology program examines how people think, behave, and feel in global and multicultural settings. Students learn theoretical concepts and research methods through hands-on lab work and field internships. You’ll put your knowledge to work in real-life situations – from studying emotions in labs to helping clients at the campus counseling clinic.

Specializations Offered

This BS program provides complete training in several key areas. Students study mental health, emotions, personality, brain function, group dynamics, and human development. Adding a minor in Child Development can make your degree even more valuable.

Admission Requirements

Competition for admission runs high. Transfer students need specific courses: English Communication, Critical Thinking, Statistics, General Psychology, and Developmental Psychology. Students should also take Literature/Philosophy, Biology, and Social Psychology.

Tuition and Financial Aid

California residents pay $15,039 yearly for tuition and fees. Campus housing and meals cost $19,443, bringing the total to about $39,609 for students living on campus. Out-of-state students pay an extra $21,966. All the same, Cal Poly ranks third on the West Coast for graduate salaries, offering excellent value.

Career Preparation

Students must complete a two-quarter internship, working 120 hours each quarter with community organizations. These hands-on experiences build resumes, prepare students for graduate school, and help explore career paths.

Why Choose This Program

Expert faculty members bring knowledge from different fields to create a balanced program that connects theory with practice. Graduates find success in counseling, law enforcement, psychotherapy, data analysis, art therapy, and teaching.

10. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Cal Poly Humboldt sits on California’s beautiful northern coast. The university’s psychology program stands out with its focus on specialized research paths and hands-on learning experiences.

Program Overview

Cal Poly Humboldt’s psychology programs span both undergraduate and graduate levels. The bachelor’s degree prepares students well for graduate programs in psychology and health services. Students can earn degree credits through hands-on experience as teaching or research assistants.

Specializations Offered

The MA Academic Research program offers four specialized paths:

• Behavior Analysis: Focuses on designing and evaluating instructional modifications to improve human behavior
• Developmental Psychology: Examines social and emotional processes within cultural contexts
• Neuroscience: Studies physiological bases of behavior
• Social/Cognitive Psychology: Explores how thoughts and behaviors are influenced by others

Admission Requirements

The graduate program looks for candidates with a bachelor’s degree and a minimum 3.25 GPA in psychology courses. Applicants must submit a statement of purpose and two recommendation letters. Juniors can start their graduate coursework through the blended program and complete both BA and MA degrees in five years.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Annual undergraduate tuition runs $8,652 (2025-2026). Students spend between $25,884 (living with parents) and $29,066 (off-campus) in total expenses. Most students at Humboldt – about 80% – receive financial aid.

Career Preparation

Students gain valuable skills in data collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation. The program creates paths to various careers including research analysis, behavior analysis, college instruction, and program evaluation.

Why Choose This Program

The program excels at combining coursework with real-world field experiences. Students graduate ready for today’s job market with practical knowledge and essential skills.

11. California State University-Fullerton

CSUF’s psychology program stands out as one of the best psychology programs in California. Students get hands-on experience backed by scientific methods. The department helps students develop critical thinking skills they can use in many career paths.

Program Overview

The Psychology Department’s 41-unit major and 21-unit minor give students a complete introduction to psychology’s major fields. Students learn research methods and how to review psychological research. They also understand how diversity shapes behavior.

Specializations Offered

Students can choose from several specialized tracks even though they aren’t official concentrations. Options include Clinical, Gender and Sexuality, Health and Well-being, Industrial/Organizational, Multicultural Psychology, and Neuroscience. These paths help students focus on their career interests.

Admission Requirements

New students can apply through Cal State Apply from October 1 to December 1, 2025. High school students with college credits still count as freshmen.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The annual in-state tuition is $7,470, which is much lower than the national average of $11,011. The 2025-26 academic year costs $7,878 for in-state and $18,438 for out-of-state students. The program’s financial aid reaches 59.2% of students.

Career Preparation

Field Placement (PSYC 495) gives students real-world experience and meets the internship requirement. Students should plan their internships one semester ahead.

Why Choose This Program

Students get great research opportunities by working with faculty members. The required internships are a great way to prepare for graduate programs, which many students find valuable.

Choose the Right Bachelor’s in Psychology Today

The right psychology program should match your academic interests, career goals, and personal situation. California’s UC and CSU systems offer excellent options, and each school brings its own strengths to the table.

These top-rated programs share several key features that make them stand out. They give students hands-on research opportunities that build skills employers really want. Many programs also include internships or field placements that connect classroom theory with real-world practice. Students can choose specialized paths to focus their education on areas like clinical psychology, neuroscience, or industrial/organizational psychology.

Money plays a big role in program selection. The good news is that many California schools provide substantial financial aid, with some meeting 70-80% of student financial need. This investment pays off – psychology graduates in California earn competitive salaries between $96,000 and $132,000, depending on their specialty.

California’s shortage of mental health professionals creates promising job prospects. Only 22% of the state’s mental health needs are met right now, which means graduates will find many chances to make a difference while building successful careers.

The sort of thing we love about each program is its unique advantages. Some schools focus on research excellence, while others believe in learning through hands-on experience. You’ll find specialized tracks in cutting-edge fields like neuroscience, and some offer great mentorship programs to support your growth.

Your academic experience represents a major investment of time, energy, and resources. Campus visits, conversations with current students and faculty, and research beyond this guide will help you find the program that fits your needs. Your ideal match is waiting among these top California psychology programs – one that will prepare you to achieve a career dedicated to understanding and improving human behavior.