Best institutions to study Community Psychology
A program that prepares individuals to apply psychological principles to the analysis of social problems, and the implementation of intervention strategies for addressing these problems.
34 U.S. institutions graduated 464 Community Psychology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.2802, a specialization of Clinical (CIP 42.28), and leads most directly to the Psychologists, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 19-3039).
About Community Psychology programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply psychological principles to the analysis of social problems, and the implementation of intervention strategies for addressing these problems. Includes instruction in social ecology, primary and secondary prevention of social pathologies, social intervention strategies and tactics, large group counseling, social services systems behavior, creating settings, cultural stress, and the dynamics of social change.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Community Psychology (Clinical) program focuses on applying psychological principles to address social problems and implement effective intervention strategies. This program is designed for individuals interested in understanding the dynamics of social change and the factors contributing to social pathologies. Students will explore various aspects of social ecology and community-based approaches to mental health.
Core coursework includes instruction in social intervention strategies, large group counseling, and the behavior of social services systems. Students will also learn about primary and secondary prevention methods and the impact of cultural stress on communities.
Credentials awarded
What Community Psychology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree217 graduates / yr · 11 institutions47%
- Master's degree189 graduates / yr · 17 institutions41%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship48 graduates / yr · 7 institutions10%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.1%
Graduates over time
Community Psychology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 787 |
| 2013 | 742 |
| 2014 | 748 |
| 2015 | 724 |
| 2016 | 735 |
| 2017 | 695 |
| 2018 | 669 |
| 2019 | 633 |
| 2020 | 557 |
| 2021 | 611 |
| 2022 | 673 |
| 2023 | 538 |
| 2024 | 511 |
| 2025 | 464 |
Top 34 institutions for Community Psychology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clayton State University Morrow, GAPublicBachelor's | 89 | 40% | — | $27,532 |
| 2 | Gardner - Webb University Boiling Springs, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 44 | 55% | $22,863 | $34,491 |
| 3 | Montana State University Billings Billings, MTPublicBachelor's | 27 | 30% | — | — |
| 4 | Wheaton College Wheaton, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 85% | $23,461 | — |
| 5 | National Louis University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 21 | 30% | $18,904 | — |
| 6 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicMaster's | 20 | 87% | — | — |
| 7 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 63% | $32,614 | — |
| 8 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OKPublicMaster's | 19 | 40% | — | — |
| 9 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MNPublicBachelor's | 16 | 40% | — | $42,406 |
| 10 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 57% | — | — |
| 11 | Martin University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 0% | $13,004 | — |
| 12 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicDoctoral | 14 | 53% | — | — |
| 13 | University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SCPublicMaster's | 14 | 40% | — | — |
| 14 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster's | 13 | 53% | — | — |
| 15 | Alverno College Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 49% | $17,221 | — |
| 16 | Rogers State University Claremore, OKPublicBachelor's | 12 | 29% | — | — |
| 17 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 68% | $28,141 | — |
| 18 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 61% | $23,331 | — |
| 19 | University of Washington - Bothell Campus Bothell, WAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 65% | — | $33,192 |
| 20 | Point Park University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 59% | $23,704 | — |
| 21 | Lesley University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 58% | $30,837 | $38,404 |
| 22 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 43% | — | — |
| 23 | Mohave Community College Kingman, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 38% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor's | 5 | 55% | — | $23,828 |
| 25 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 75% | — | $61,980 |
| 26 | Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MNPublicBachelor's | 4 | 45% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 80% | $28,560 | — |
| 28 | Prescott College Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 56% | $23,166 | — |
| 29 | Pacific Oaks College Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | — | — | — |
| 30 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 31 | University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PRPublicMaster's | 3 | 50% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 33 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicDoctoral | 2 | 51% | — | — |
| 34 | Sterling College Sterling, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 41% | $22,406 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Clinical field (CIP 42.28) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 22 states & territories
Where Community Psychology graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3039, Psychologists, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Community Psychology program can pursue careers as psychologists, managers, or psychology teachers. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.3% and approximately 3,900 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is $117,580, typically requiring a Master's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 42.2802
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Psychologists, All Otherprimary SOC 19-3039 | $110,840 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~3,900 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1066 | $80,340 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Clinical specializations
The 17 other 6-digit CIP codes under Clinical (CIP 42.28).
- Counseling PsychologyCIP 42.280312,264 graduates / yr277 institutions
- Applied Behavior AnalysisCIP 42.28147,215 graduates / yr143 institutions
- Clinical PsychologyCIP 42.28016,396 graduates / yr205 institutions
- School PsychologyCIP 42.28053,734 graduates / yr205 institutions
- Industrial and Organizational PsychologyCIP 42.28043,169 graduates / yr127 institutions
- Applied PsychologyCIP 42.28132,999 graduates / yr96 institutions
- Forensic PsychologyCIP 42.28122,718 graduates / yr59 institutions
- Educational PsychologyCIP 42.28061,874 graduates / yr84 institutions
- ClinicalCIP 42.2899711 graduates / yr46 institutions
- Family PsychologyCIP 42.2811partial data630 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Health/CIP 42.2810
Medical Psychology 428 graduates / yr25 institutions - Performance and Sport PsychologyCIP 42.2815318 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Clinical Child PsychologyCIP 42.2807partial data101 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Transpersonal/CIP 42.2817
Spiritual Psychology limited data40 graduates / yr1 institutions - Environmental PsychologyCIP 42.2808partial data22 graduates / yr3 institutions
- GeropsychologyCIP 42.2809limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Somatic Psychology42.2816
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Community Psychology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in social intervention strategies, counseling, and understanding social services systems.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 4.3% growth and 3,900 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for this field?+
The median wage for professionals in this field is $117,580.
What is the CIP code for Community Psychology?+
Community Psychology is CIP 42.2802 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Clinical (CIP 42.28). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply psychological principles to the analysis of social problems, and the implementation of intervention strategies for addressing these problems. Includes instruction in social ecology, primary and secondary prevention of social pathologies, social intervention strategies and tactics, large group counseling, social services systems behavior, creating settings, cultural stress, and the dynamics of social change.
How many institutions offer Community Psychology programs?+
34 U.S. institutions reported Community Psychology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states & territories, awarding 464 credentials in the year. That is 1.1% of all Clinical graduates.
How much do Community Psychology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Psychologists, All Other occupation, which Community Psychology most directly leads to, pays a median of $110,840 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical field report median earnings of $34,491 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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