[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 1236 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in psychology in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $56,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,923 in student loans. 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. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,250. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,913. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $13,421. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,656. Set against $13,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $30,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $67,272 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,538. Psychology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $30,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Princeton University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $47,050 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #9 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,914 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $60,397. That is a strong return on a $10,914 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,003. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. 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. Set against $12,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. 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. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,920 in student loans. Psychology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $29,069 early in their careers. Set against $13,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino placed #13 among the best values for psychology. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,439. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,530. Set against $15,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,889 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $27,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University East Bay landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $37,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Cuny York College landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $38,701 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,607 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,118. Set against $16,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online came in at #18 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $16,897. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $26,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge earned the #19 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $77,684 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #20 position for value in psychology this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $11,700 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $39,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
California State University Sacramento placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,603. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,688 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,727. Set against $13,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $60,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1236 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,236 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
