[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 559 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,470 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $72,802. That is a strong return on a $13,470 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $68,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. 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 $60,148. That is a strong return on a $10,914 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,923 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $31,706 early in their careers. Set against $10,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Stanislaus earned it the #5 place for psychology. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $13,920. Psychology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $64,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,920 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $13,421. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $48,361. Set against $13,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny City College earned the #7 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,925. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #8 among the best values for psychology. 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, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,538 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $29,510. Set against $12,538 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fullerton landed the #9 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,998 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $27,965. That is a strong return on a $12,998 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #10 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. 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. Psychology graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $51,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $70,238 early in their careers. Set against $13,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #12 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $81,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #13 spot for psychology value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $60,415. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Florida landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $51,689. Set against $16,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #15 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $80,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,267. Psychology graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $65,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Utah Valley University placed #17 among the best values for psychology. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento landed the #18 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $58,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #19 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Central Florida placed #20 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. 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 $55,972. That is a strong return on a $19,432 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #21 among the best values for psychology. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University landed the #22 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #23 spot for psychology value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $30,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
California State University San Marcos came in at #25 for value in psychology this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,312 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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), 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 · 559 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 559 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
