by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Prince Georges Community College, our #1 best value for psychology in Maryland. 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, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Coppin State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $33,312. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at University Of Maryland University College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,465. Psychology graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $42,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $59,316 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,904. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $41,330. That is a strong return on a $24,904 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan State University placed #6 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $30,813 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Washington Adventist University placed #7 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,604. Students borrow a median of $47,033 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Washington Adventist University generally make around $85,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Salisbury University landed the #8 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $29,219 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Towson University came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,788. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $45,035. Set against $20,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore placed #10 among the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,076, compared with $20,122 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of $27,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore admits about 96% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $49,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Baltimore landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $39,717. Set against $21,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $35,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
St Marys College Of Maryland earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $28,334. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Bowie State University earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,218, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,765. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mcdaniel College came in at #16 for value in psychology this year. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $52,081. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,662. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $54,904. That is a strong return on a $25,662 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Hood College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,700. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Hood College generally make around $23,358. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Goucher College earned the #18 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Goucher College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,350. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Goucher College generally make around $31,463. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Mount St Marys University placed #19 among the best values for psychology. Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emmitsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $48,630. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Mount St Marys University earn a median of $34,454 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Stevenson University earned the #20 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,560. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Washington College came in at #21 for value in psychology this year. Washington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Chestertown. Students from in state pay about $55,081 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Washington College earn a median of $34,490 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Loyola University Baltimore came in at #22 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,150. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $47,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.