[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 334 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for psychology. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $16,897 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $26,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place for psychology. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $54,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,267. Early-career psychology graduates make about $65,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $53,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #6 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Central Florida placed #7 among the best values for psychology. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. 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 $53,990. Set against $19,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,836. Psychology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $24,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University placed #10 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,088 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $56,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #11 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $17,915. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $35,074. Set against $17,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Dalton State College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,061 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $30,688. Set against $18,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshall University earned the #13 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $64,941. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Berea College came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
University Of North Florida ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $30,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
East Mississippi Community College earned the #16 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $9,422. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System placed #17 among the best values for psychology. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,973 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $43,590. That is a strong return on a $31,973 median debt.
Copiah Lincoln Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
John Tyler Community College placed #19 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia landed the #20 spot for psychology value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,552 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $67,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University earned the #21 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #22 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,105 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $28,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $30,367. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,653. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Fayetteville State University earned the #25 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $31,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 334 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 334 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.
