Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations·SOC 19-3034

Best degree programs for School Psychologists, ranked by enrollment

2 college programs and 239 schools train School Psychologists. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $95,990 median wage, 63,940 U.S. jobs. Federal data.

2 college programs at 239 schools train school psychologists, graduating 5,608 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is School Psychology. The job pays a median of $95,990 (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Graduates / yr

5,608

from every feeder program

Median annual wage

$95,990

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+0.7%

Little or no change

Openings / yr

3,800

new plus replacement

Schools

239

with a feeder program

States with jobs

BLS reports wages

About school psychologists

Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.

Also calledPsychologistSchool PsychologistConsulting PsychologistBilingual School PsychologistPsychometristAutism ConsultantBehavioral AnalystChild PsychologistBehavior SpecialistChild PsychometristLearning ConsultantSchool Psychometrist

Fields of study that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.

205 schools · 2 specializations · 100.0% of pipeline

Grad earnings $33,805

2 degree programs that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#	Program	Graduates / yr	Share of pipeline	Schools	Grad earnings (1 yr)	Median debt
1	School Psychology CIP 42.2805	3,734	66.6%	205	$33,805	$27,000
2	Educational Psychology CIP 42.2806	1,874	33.4%	84	$33,805	$27,000

Top 50 schools by graduates into this job

Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#	School	Graduates / yr	Top feeder program	Grad rate	Net price	Acceptance
1	Capella University Minneapolis, MN Private for-profit · 2 feeder programs	135	School Psychology	20%	$19,369	—
2	University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · 2 feeder programs	115	Educational Psychology	49%	—	91%
3	National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	108	School Psychology	43%	$31,817	—
4	Alliant International University - San Diego San Diego, CA Private for-profit · 2 feeder programs	107	School Psychology	—	—	0%
5	University of Massachusetts Global Aliso Viejo, CA Public · 1 feeder programs	102	School Psychology	43%	—	—
6	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · 1 feeder programs	101	Educational Psychology	67%	—	78%
7	Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs	98	School Psychology	73%	$33,454	82%
8	University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · 2 feeder programs	90	Educational Psychology	65%	—	86%
9	University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · 2 feeder programs	90	School Psychology	90%	—	45%
10	Ball State University Muncie, IN Public · 2 feeder programs	89	Educational Psychology	62%	—	85%
11	Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	85	School Psychology	62%	$20,686	88%
12	Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 2 feeder programs	78	Educational Psychology	84%	—	57%
13	University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · 1 feeder programs	73	Educational Psychology	85%	—	80%
14	Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	72	School Psychology	50%	$14,298	64%
15	University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · 1 feeder programs	70	Educational Psychology	85%	—	58%
16	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs	69	Educational Psychology	79%	$36,488	45%
17	University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · 1 feeder programs	61	Educational Psychology	90%	—	38%
18	Chapman University Orange, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	60	School Psychology	82%	$42,965	65%
19	Pennsylvania Western University California, PA Public · 2 feeder programs	57	School Psychology	52%	—	94%
20	Albizu University - San Juan San Juan, PR Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	56	School Psychology	67%	$15,077	100%
21	CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY Public · 1 feeder programs	56	School Psychology	54%	—	58%
22	Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	55	School Psychology	—	—	—
23	University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · 2 feeder programs	52	Educational Psychology	83%	—	52%
24	Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · 1 feeder programs	51	Educational Psychology	86%	—	24%
25	University of Southern Maine Portland, ME Public · 2 feeder programs	51	Educational Psychology	40%	—	79%
26	Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Public · 2 feeder programs	49	School Psychology	43%	—	91%
27	University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Public · 1 feeder programs	48	Educational Psychology	96%	—	17%
28	Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs	47	School Psychology	—	—	—
29	The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Public · 1 feeder programs	47	Educational Psychology	73%	—	77%
30	Yeshiva University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	47	School Psychology	83%	$39,696	56%
31	Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH Public · 2 feeder programs	46	Educational Psychology	64%	—	86%
32	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · 1 feeder programs	46	Educational Psychology	89%	—	27%
33	Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	44	School Psychology	91%	$18,925	5%
34	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · 2 feeder programs	43	School Psychology	68%	—	86%
35	Alverno College Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	42	School Psychology	49%	$17,221	86%
36	Kean University Union, NJ Public · 2 feeder programs	42	Educational Psychology	47%	—	76%
37	University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · 1 feeder programs	41	Educational Psychology	61%	—	72%
38	Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI Public · 1 feeder programs	39	School Psychology	67%	—	83%
39	St. John's University - New York Queens, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	39	School Psychology	66%	$27,359	83%
40	University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	39	School Psychology	67%	$16,109	75%
41	Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	38	Educational Psychology	94%	$23,570	11%
42	Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · 1 feeder programs	37	School Psychology	67%	—	78%
43	University at Albany Albany, NY Public · 2 feeder programs	37	Educational Psychology	61%	—	69%
44	University of the Pacific Stockton, CA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs	37	Educational Psychology	69%	$23,964	71%
45	Purdue University Global West Lafayette, IN Public · 1 feeder programs	36	Educational Psychology	50%	—	—
46	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA Public · 1 feeder programs	35	School Psychology	55%	—	88%
47	Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	34	School Psychology	63%	$31,672	73%
48	University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO Public · 2 feeder programs	34	Educational Psychology	51%	—	86%
49	University of La Verne La Verne, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs	33	School Psychology	63%	$45,461	71%
50	University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO Public · 2 feeder programs	33	Educational Psychology	57%	—	63%

What school psychologists earn

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual wage

$95,990

Mean annual

$99,160

Median hourly

$46.15/hr

People employed

63,940

What the range looks like

10th pct$63,070Median$95,99090th pct$142,330

Top-paying states

Top-paying metro areas

Boulder, CO

$143,020median

110 jobs

El Centro, CA

$145,400median

50 jobs

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$130,520median

260 jobs

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$130,540median

680 jobs

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

$139,400median

760 jobs

Modesto, CA

$128,750median

100 jobs

Visalia, CA

$128,020median

170 jobs

Yuba City, CA

$125,860median

40 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34

+0.7%

Little or no change

Openings per year

3,800

new jobs plus replacements

Employment change

500

67,200 → 67,700

Typical entry education

Master's degree

Plus internship/residency

Where the jobs are, state by state

Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.

This occupation state by state: pay, jobs, and schools
State	Median pay	Jobs	Concentration	Schools	Graduates / yr
California	$127,780	8,340	1.11×	20	861
New York	$106,550	9,070	2.28×	24	537
Texas	$83,690	4,250	0.74×	25	423
Wisconsin	$83,330	1,180	0.97×	8	364
Pennsylvania	$82,190	2,600	1.04×	13	310
Minnesotamoderate	$85,190	1,060	0.88×	4	250
Illinois	$84,690	3,590	1.43×	10	218
New Jersey	$95,160	2,130	1.21×	8	189
Massachusetts	$98,670	3,300	2.21×	8	176
Ohio	$91,010	2,050	0.90×	7	175
Florida	$84,760	2,020	0.49×	8	164
Indianamoderate	$77,640	710	0.54×	4	164
Michigan	$83,960	1,480	0.82×	8	145
Georgiamoderate	$99,110	1,650	0.82×	3	125
Connecticutmoderate	$100,600	1,140	1.64×	4	115
Virginia	$85,670	1,200	0.71×	5	111
Mississippimoderate	$61,070	—	—	3	104
Utahlimited	$77,820	490	0.69×	2	102
Washington	$108,780	1,420	0.97×	5	101
Coloradomoderate	$124,770	1,380	1.17×	3	76
Arizonamoderate	$92,380	1,100	0.83×	3	71
Kansas	$73,020	630	1.07×	5	64
Mainelimited	$81,650	120	0.46×	1	51
Oklahomamoderate	$64,930	510	0.73×	4	48
Alabamalimited	$75,060	370	0.43×	1	47
Oregonmoderate	$106,070	570	0.71×	3	47
Tennesseemoderate	$76,850	900	0.66×	3	45
South Carolinamoderate	$76,720	720	0.76×	4	44
Nebraskalimited	$88,980	440	1.04×	2	39
Kentuckymoderate	$75,370	590	0.72×	3	37
Missourilimited	$70,290	520	0.43×	2	34
North Carolinamoderate	$73,220	1,540	0.76×	4	31
New Mexicomoderate	$110,360	630	1.76×	3	24
Nevadalimited	$93,680	290	0.46×	1	24
West Virginialimited	$75,220	250	0.88×	2	24
Marylandlimited	$109,700	1,520	1.34×	2	22
Iowalimited	$74,410	400	0.62×	2	19
New Hampshirelimited	$73,490	360	1.29×	1	17
Delawarelimited	$95,990	280	1.41×	1	16
Louisianamoderate	$69,020	670	0.84×	3	15
Rhode Islandlimited	$94,900	210	1.03×	1	13
Hawaiilimited	$82,110	90	0.33×	1	11
Idaholimited	$71,700	310	0.89×	1	11
District of Columbialimited	$107,500	250	0.87×	2	9
Montanalimited	$80,010	170	0.79×	1	9
Arkansaslimited	$64,030	440	0.82×	1	6
North Dakotalimited	$68,960	90	0.49×	1	6
Vermontlimited	$82,820	180	1.41×	1	2

Skills and tools

From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.

What they do day to day

Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.
Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.

Skills

Active Listening4.4
Speaking4.3
Reading Comprehension4.3
Writing4.0
Critical Thinking4.0
Monitoring4.0
Active Learning3.6
Learning Strategies3.5

Knowledge areas

Psychology4.9
Therapy and Counseling4.5
Education and Training4.4
Sociology and Anthropology4.3
Customer and Personal Service4.1
Administrative4.0

Abilities

Oral Expression4.4
Oral Comprehension4.4
Written Comprehension4.1
Deductive Reasoning4.1
Problem Sensitivity4.0
Inductive Reasoning4.0

Core activities

Getting Information4.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.2
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships4.2
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings4.2
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.0
Making Decisions and Solving Problems3.8

Tools and technology

hotmarks an O*NET hot technology

Microsoft ExcelhotMicrosoft Office softwarehotMicrosoft PowerPointhotMicrosoft WordhotZoomhotCentris Group IEP DirectCentris Group RTIm DirectChalkware Education Solutions IEPProEmail softwareEwing Solutions QuickWriter

How to get in

How to become a School Psychologist

Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above

Typical entry education: Master's degree
On-the-job training: Internship/residency

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 2 majors mapped to School Psychologists2 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+

42.2805School Psychology
42.2806Educational Psychology

Related careers

Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.

19-3033

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

$100,58075,990 jobs+11.2%

21-1012

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

$64,330353,310 jobs+3.5%

21-1013

Marriage and Family Therapists

$66,94066,740 jobs+12.6%

25-2058

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

$74,260163,930 jobs-1.6%

21-1021

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

$59,550392,550 jobs+3.4%

21-1023

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$60,280132,810 jobs+9.7%

Common questions

What degree do you need to become a School Psychologist?+

Master's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is School Psychology, which awarded 3,734 degrees in 2024-25, 66.6% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming a School Psychologist?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 2 programs to this occupation. The largest are Clinical. Together they graduate about 5,608 people a year.

How much do school psychologists earn?+

The median is $95,990 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $63,070 at the 10th percentile to $142,330 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for school psychologists growing?+

BLS projects a +0.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 3,800 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career?+

239 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 2 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do school psychologists work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Psychologist, School Psychologist, Consulting Psychologist, Bilingual School Psychologist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 19-3034.

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025
Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
Official source →
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34
Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
Official source →
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)
Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
Official source →
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohorts
Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Official source →
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest available
Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
Official source →
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018
Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
Official source →
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3
Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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