[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1498 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
The psychology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Psychology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Psychology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,470 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $64,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for psychology. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $36,913. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $7,177. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #6 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $13,421 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,009. That is a strong return on a $13,421 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #8 position for value in psychology this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,149. Psychology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $67,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,538. Psychology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $30,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cypress College placed #10 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Santa Ana College ranked #11 on our 2027 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,196. Psychology graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #12 for value in psychology this year. 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. Psychology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $60,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Saddleback College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $5,707. Psychology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Princeton University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $47,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Skyline College earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Moorpark College placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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.
California State University Fullerton came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,998 in student loans. Psychology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $27,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,998 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #18 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $51,689. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Pasadena City College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,000. Psychology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $24,894 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus placed #20 among the best values for psychology. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,920 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $46,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Foothill College came in at #21 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #22 spot for psychology value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $7,110 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $6,382. Psychology graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,439 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $44,487. Set against $15,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychology value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 1498 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,498 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
