by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,778 U.S. colleges awarded 221,218 degrees and certificates in Psychology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1,549 schools in its 2027 Best Psychology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $38,209 one year after completing, rising to $55,959 after four years.
The field of Psychology involves the scientific study of the human mind and human behavior. There are a variety of majors and concentrations available for students to choose a specialization in a certain interest. Coursework involves work in the lab and the library conducting research, as well as group project assignments and time spent in the field interacting with clients and patients.
There are a few different majors that are available to you depending on what college you choose. You can choose to pursue your degree in General Psychology allows you to study behavior and research methods as you answering difficult and thought provoking questions. For more practical training, you may want to choose to study Clinical, Counseling, and Applied Psychology. This is a great choice for those who wish to pursue careers as counselors. Students can also major in Child Development and Psychology in order to learn how people develop and grow through their life.
A major in Psychology explores Psychology. Instructional Programs That Focus On The Scientific Study Of The Behavior Of Individuals, Independently Or Collectively, And The Physical And Environmental Bases Of Mental, Emotional, And Neurological Activity.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, psychology is a popular field of study, with 221,218 degrees awarded annually. 1,778 colleges award psychology degrees, an average of 124 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 5,063.
By level, the 221,218 awards include 256 certificates, 20,177 associate degrees, 147,029 bachelor’s degrees, 45,888 master’s degrees and 7,778 doctorates.
Women earned 80% of psychology degrees and certificates in the latest year (177,906 of 221,218). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (103,346) and Hispanic or Latino (52,049), and international students earned 7,071.
College Factual ranks 1,549 schools in its 2027 Best Psychology Schools ranking, including 245 for associate degrees, 1,252 for bachelor’s degrees, 556 for master’s degrees and 216 for doctorates. It also ranks psychology schools within 52 states. In all, 1,778 colleges offer psychology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Psychology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common psychology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 147,029 of the 221,218 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to psychology call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
The field of Psychology requires a student who is deeply interested in people and also enjoys math and science. You will be spending time writing lab reports as well as research papers. Students develop adept critical thinking skills as they analyze scientific papers, gather research and make observation. You will also work with numbers and formulas to analyze data.
Students should have a passion for working with people and a desire to help people lead better lives. Many majors involve an internship or some sort of field work. Make good use of any practical experience in order to help you find a job later on. Work in the field also helps you empathize with others and become a better listener.
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How long a psychology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 256 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 20,177 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 147,029 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 45,888 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7,778 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to psychology, at 33.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 21.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.4% |
| Master’s degree | 10.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
30 occupations are related to Psychology, with an average median salary of $90,090; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, at 14.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include College Professor, Lecturer, Associate Professor and College Faculty Member.
A major in the field of Psychology is usually a stepping stone for an advanced degree. A master's degree will allow you to become a school psychologist or work in some areas of counseling. A doctorate degree is required to become a psychologist. If student choose not to continue their education they may be able to find jobs in social work, marketing, sales, human resources or any other field that involves interacting and understanding people.
The occupation related to psychology with the most projected jobs is Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Training and Development Specialists | 622,945 | 11.3% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Management Analysts | 484,759 | 12.6% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Human Resources Specialists | 405,890 | 11.8% |
| Human Resources Managers | 404,262 | -3.6% |
Psychology graduates earn a median $38,209 one year after completing their program, $55,959 after four years and $53,845 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,209 |
| 4 years | $55,959 |
| 5 years | $53,845 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to psychology is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Training and Development Managers | $139,524 |
| Statisticians | $130,349 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| School Psychologists | $108,275 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
Psychology includes 4 concentrations that together award 221,218 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Psychology, General (150,830), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (43,187) and Research and Experimental Psychology (24,503). Browse the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 150,830 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 43,187 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 24,503 |
| Psychology, Other | 2,698 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
