by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 127 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bunker Hill Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools in the New England Region. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,256. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Harvard University one of the best values for psychology. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $41,501. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williams College earned it the #3 place for psychology. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $13,416. Early-career psychology graduates make about $53,652. That is a strong return on a $13,416 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Capital Community College, which ranked #4. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,394. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $38,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,730. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $33,621. Set against $20,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rhode Island College landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,723 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $33,694. That is a strong return on a $22,723 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #8 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $53,339 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Amherst College came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,800. Psychology graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $45,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Charter Oak State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,506 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,779 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $45,428 early in their careers. Set against $22,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massasoit Community College placed #11 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,833. Psychology graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $42,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,833 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $46,631. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Granite State College placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,724, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $39,681. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College placed #14 among the best values for psychology. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $16,165. Psychology graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College earn a median of $43,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,165 median debt.
Bay Path College landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $61,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Holyoke Community College placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $9,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Fitchburg State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $37,545. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Bridgewater State University landed the #18 spot for psychology value this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $35,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,810 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $55,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,004. Psychology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $57,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Salem State University landed the #21 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Students borrow a median of $26,435 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $56,550 early in their careers. Set against $26,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #22 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,880 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $37,414 early in their careers. Set against $23,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Westfield State University came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $54,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #24 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,925 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $52,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $24,069. Set against $26,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
This ranking is produced 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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.