[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1829 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for psychology students.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,470 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $72,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,470 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $68,035. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,914 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $59,964. Set against $10,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Stanislaus one of the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. 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 $64,812 early in their careers. Set against $13,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, 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 $48,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #6 for value in psychology this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,923 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $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. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny City College placed #8 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the psychology program here. 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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #9 position for value in psychology this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $80,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $51,591. That is a strong return on a $15,439 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #11 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,889 in student loans. Psychology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $70,238 early in their careers. Set against $13,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Los Angeles placed #12 among the best values for psychology. 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. Psychology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $29,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,538 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,688 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $29,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,688 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #14 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Northridge landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $13,000. Psychology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $81,781 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,267. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $65,595. That is a strong return on a $21,267 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #18 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $59,332. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,500. Early-career psychology graduates make about $58,598. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,000. Psychology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $59,508 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #21 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,964. That is a strong return on a $19,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Stanford University came in at #22 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,492. Early-career psychology graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #23 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,836 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $24,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
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 418 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
