[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1829 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
Where you study psychology affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Psychology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Psychology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in psychology in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $13,470. Psychology graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $65,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for psychology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,923. Psychology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $31,706 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #3 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for psychology. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $5,707. Early-career psychology graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #4 place for psychology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,421 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $42,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $67,044. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $7,177 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,177 median debt.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $36,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Moorpark College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,925. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #10 for value in psychology this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,998 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $27,965. That is a strong return on a $12,998 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Skyline College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,914 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $60,230. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #13 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,538 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $31,960. That is a strong return on a $12,538 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $13,688 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $29,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Santa Ana College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,802 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $27,421. That is a strong return on a $7,802 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #17 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Psychology graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College placed #18 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Psychology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $24,894. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida placed #20 among the best values for psychology. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $13,920. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,941. That is a strong return on a $13,920 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
College Of San Mateo earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
San Diego Mesa College placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $7,597. Psychology graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $26,229 early in their careers. Set against $7,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1829 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 991 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
