by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for psychology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among psychology schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $9,862. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lansing Community College one of the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,740. Early-career psychology graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $11,740 median debt.
Muskegon Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,250, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $38,589. That is a strong return on a $24,510 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Southwestern Michigan College, which ranked #5. Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dowagiac. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,503 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $30,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Ferris State University landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,503. That is a strong return on a $27,125 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,708. Early-career psychology graduates make about $52,349. That is a strong return on a $18,708 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Lake Michigan College earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,445, with out-of-state students paying around $7,755. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,473. Early-career psychology graduates make about $50,185. That is a strong return on a $14,473 median debt.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #11 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,977. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,447. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $30,092. That is a strong return on a $26,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,087 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $58,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Andrews University landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior State University landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $54,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Northern Michigan University came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $58,303 early in their careers. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University came in at #18 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Western Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for psychology. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $57,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Baker College Of Flint landed the #20 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,000. Students borrow a median of $41,688 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Baker College Of Flint earn a median of $32,913 early in their careers. Set against $41,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Albion College earned the #21 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Albion College earn a median of $23,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #22 among the best values for psychology. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $54,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #23 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,403 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $48,656 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grace Bible College earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wyoming. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,190. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $29,214. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Central Michigan University landed the #25 spot for psychology value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.