[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 1829 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among psychology schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. 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 $56,866. Set against $13,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. 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.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,421 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,656. Set against $13,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $67,072. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. 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%.
California State University Fullerton earned the #7 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,998. 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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,538 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $13,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #10 spot for psychology value 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. Students borrow a median of $10,914 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $60,230 early in their careers. Set against $10,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #11 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,003. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,920 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,069. That is a strong return on a $13,920 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Fresno ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,439. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $26,003. That is a strong return on a $16,897 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $78,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #18 position for value in psychology this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,607 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $28,118. Set against $16,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Northridge placed #19 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $75,106. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #20 position for value in psychology this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #21 for value in psychology this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $34,531. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $17,426. Psychology graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $34,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,426 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #23 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,500. Psychology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #24 among the best values for psychology. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas A And M International University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,537. Early-career psychology graduates make about $44,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
The ranking above is published 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 933 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.
