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2025 Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master's Degree Schools

358 Colleges in the United States
26,529 Master's Degrees
$52,594 Avg Early-Career Salary
Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology is of the hottest master's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #7 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 358 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master's Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 26,529 master's degrees in clinical, counseling & applied psychology to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology School for Your Master's Degree

Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master's Degree Schools The clinical psychology master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a school's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students working on their master's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Clinical Psychology Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The clinical psychology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master's Degree Schools.

Best Schools for Master’s Students to Study Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology in the United States

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Master's in Clinical Psychology

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the clinical psychology program earn around $43,591 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Northwestern University

2
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University of Pennsylvania is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology. UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia.

Students who graduate with their master's from the clinical psychology program report average early career earnings of $52,641.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University of Pennsylvania

3

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology has to take a look at University of Southern California. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Those clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who get their master's degree from University of Southern California receive $18,903 more than the typical clinical psychology grad.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University of Southern California

4

Every student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology has to take a look at Northeastern University. Located in the large city of Boston, Northeastern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Master's recipients from the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Northeastern University make $6,758 above the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Northeastern University

5

DU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Denver.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the clinical psychology program make around $48,123 for their early career.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University of Denver

6

Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago.

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology master's degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago earn a boost of around $10,524 over the average income of clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Loyola University Chicago

7

Located in the small city of Melbourne, Florida Tech is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

Master's recipients from the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Florida Institute of Technology get $17,322 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Florida Institute of Technology

8
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

SCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Santa Clara.

Those clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who get their master's degree from Santa Clara University receive $12,947 more than the typical clinical psychology graduate.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Santa Clara University

9

Pepperdine is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Malibu.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the clinical psychology program make around $49,456 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Pepperdine University

10
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
10 Annual Graduates

UF is a fairly large public university located in the city of Gainesville.More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University of Florida

11
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
57 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Vanderbilt University

12

Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station.

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology master's degree recipients from Texas A&M University - College Station earn a boost of approximately $7,909 over the typical earnings of clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Texas A&M University - College Station

13
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Located in the city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

Those clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who get their master's degree from University of San Francisco receive $12,764 more than the typical clinical psychology graduate.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University of San Francisco

14
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA
1,093 Annual Graduates
$57,834 Median Starting Salary

National University is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of San Diego.

Those clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who get their master's degree from National University make $5,240 more than the typical clinical psychology student.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from National University

15

UCONN is a fairly large public university located in the town of Storrs.

Master's recipients from the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at University of Connecticut earn $2,428 more than the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University of Connecticut

16
20 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from San Diego State University

17

Located in the large city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology master's degree recipients from George Washington University earn a boost of approximately $5,947 above the average earnings of clinical, counseling & applied psychology majors.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from George Washington University

18
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Located in the large city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their master's from the clinical psychology program report average early career wages of $51,951.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Boston University

19

Cal Baptist is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Riverside.

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology master's degree recipients from California Baptist University get an earnings boost of around $2,705 over the average earnings of clinical, counseling & applied psychology majors.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from California Baptist University

20

UGA is a very large public university located in the city of Athens.

Master's recipients from the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at University of Georgia earn $12,368 above the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University of Georgia

21

Located in the large city of Boston, Simmons is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.

Master's recipients from the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Simmons University get $15,579 above the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Simmons University

22
NUS Florida crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, NUS Florida is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the clinical psychology program make about $46,761 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Nova Southeastern University

23

Located in the midsize suburb of Seaside, CSUMB is a public university with a medium-sized student population.

Those clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who get their master's degree from California State University - Monterey Bay make $31,418 more than the average clinical psychology graduate.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from California State University - Monterey Bay

24

Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a very large student population.

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology master's degree recipients from California State University - Long Beach get an earnings boost of approximately $28,406 over the average income of clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from California State University - Long Beach

25
Hofstra crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Hempstead.

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology master's degree recipients from Hofstra University receive an earnings boost of approximately $10,586 above the typical earnings of clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates.

More information about a master’s in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Hofstra University

Rest of the Top Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master's Degree Schools

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27
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
28
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30
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
31
32

33

34
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James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
35
36
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology crest
Palo Alto University
Palo Alto, CA
37
LIU Post crest
LIU Post
Brookville, NY
38
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
39
40
41

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50

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 20% of the 358 different United States clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
52 Queens College Queens, NY
53 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
54 Adelphi University Garden City, NY
55 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
56 DePaul University Chicago, IL
57 La Salle University Philadelphia, PA
58 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
59 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
60 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
61 University of St Thomas Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
62 Saint Joseph’s University Philadelphia, PA
63 Hunter College New York, NY
64 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
65 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
66 Seattle University Seattle, WA
67 George Fox University Newberg, OR
68 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
69 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX
70 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
71 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology students that almost earned our Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
72 Wheaton College Illinois Wheaton, IL
73 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
74 St John’s University - New York Queens, NY
75 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
76 University of North Texas Denton, TX
77 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
78 University of Hartford West Hartford, CT
79 Clemson University Clemson, SC
80 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
81 Illinois State University Normal, IL
82 University of the Pacific Stockton, CA
83 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
84 Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles, CA
85 University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK
86 Bay Path University Longmeadow, MA
87 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
88 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL
89 Roosevelt University Chicago, IL
90 Pacific University Forest Grove, OR
91 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
92 Salve Regina University Newport, RI
93 Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, HI
94 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
95 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY
96 University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA
97 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
98 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
99 Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PA
100 Baruch College New York, NY
101 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
102 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
103 Widener University Chester, PA
104 Biola University La Mirada, CA
105 University of Delaware Newark, DE
106 University of Toledo Toledo, OH
107 University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI
108 Touro College New York, NY
109 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
110 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
111 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA
112 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
113 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
114 Endicott College Beverly, MA
115 John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY
116 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
117 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
118 University of New Haven West Haven, CT
119 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology by Region

View the Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology is one of 24 different types of Psychology programs to choose from.

Clinical Psychology Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Counseling Psychology 9,589
Applied Behavior Analysis 4,526
Clinical Psychology 2,956
School Psychology 2,441
Industrial & Organizational Psychology 2,091
Educational Psychology 1,541
Forensic Psychology 1,487
Applied Psychology 1,017
Other Psychology & Counseling 406
Community Psychology 206

Related Major Annual Graduates
General Psychology 6,995
Child Development & Psychology 2,544
Other Psychology 1,975

Notes and References

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