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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for psychology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Washburn University earned the #1 spot for value among psychology schools in Kansas. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,249 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,264. Set against $25,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,792. Early-career psychology graduates make about $44,536. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $40,009. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $32,275. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Emporia State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $42,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $78,559. Set against $22,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Kansas State University placed #7 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,035. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,257. That is a strong return on a $20,035 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College earned the #8 position for value in psychology this year. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,670 median debt.
Pittsburg State University came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,951 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $36,197 early in their careers. Set against $22,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Tabor College came in at #10 for value in psychology this year. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,058. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Baker University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,554 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Baker University earn a median of $62,916 early in their careers. Set against $29,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baker University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Saint Mary ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Leavenworth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,380. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Saint Mary earn a median of $55,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Friends University placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $34,192 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,527 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Friends University earn a median of $32,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Benedictine College landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Students borrow a median of $25,443 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $28,149. That is a strong return on a $25,443 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Ottawa University Ottawa earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Ottawa, Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,880. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,562. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Ottawa University Ottawa generally make around $52,174. Set against $27,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Barclay College placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Set in the rural area of Haviland, Barclay College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,590. Median earnings reach $36,355 ten years out. Barclay College admits about 51% of applicants.
Midamerica Nazarene University came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Olathe, Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,174. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $47,940. That is a strong return on a $25,740 median debt. Roughly 79% 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.