[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 265 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for psychology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $64,965 early in their careers. Set against $13,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, 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. That is a strong return on a $10,923 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $36,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,888. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $42,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. 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. Early-career psychology graduates make about $67,241. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #8 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $60,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $16,607 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $28,118 early in their careers. Set against $16,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College came in at #10 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $39,868. Set against $11,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #12 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $8,272. Early-career psychology graduates make about $24,052. Set against $8,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $6,416. Early-career psychology graduates make about $18,867. That is a strong return on a $6,416 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College placed #15 among the best values for psychology. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Psychology graduates carry a median of $8,782 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,905. That is a strong return on a $8,782 median debt.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,394. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,000. That is a strong return on a $18,394 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Farmingdale State College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,175. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #18 for value in psychology this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #19 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,500. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Prince Georges Community College earned the #20 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $32,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Kean University earn a median of $54,087 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #23 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,868. Psychology graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $8,875. Early-career psychology graduates make about $19,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butler County Community College came in at #25 for value in psychology this year. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,836. Psychology graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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), 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 · 265 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 265 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
