Best institutions to study Educational Psychology
A program that focuses on the application of psychology to the study of the behavior of individuals in the roles of teacher and learner, the nature and effects of learning environments, and the psychological effects of methods, resources, organization and non-school experience on the educational process.
84 U.S. institutions graduated 1,874 Educational Psychology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.2806, a specialization of Clinical (CIP 42.28), and leads most directly to the School Psychologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3034).
About Educational Psychology programs
A program that focuses on the application of psychology to the study of the behavior of individuals in the roles of teacher and learner, the nature and effects of learning environments, and the psychological effects of methods, resources, organization and non-school experience on the educational process. Includes instruction in learning theory, human growth and development, research methods, and psychological evaluation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Educational Psychology (Clinical) program focuses on the application of psychology to understand the behavior of individuals in educational settings. It examines the roles of teachers and learners, the impact of learning environments, and the psychological effects of various educational methods and resources. This program is ideal for those interested in enhancing educational processes through psychological principles.
Students in this program will gain core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers learning theory, human growth and development, research methods, and psychological evaluation, providing a comprehensive foundation for understanding educational psychology.
Credentials awarded
What Educational Psychology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree1,274 graduates / yr · 61 institutions68%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship270 graduates / yr · 42 institutions14%
- Bachelor's degree135 graduates / yr · 5 institutions7.2%
- Post-master's certificate79 graduates / yr · 8 institutions4.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate65 graduates / yr · 14 institutions3.5%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice38 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.0%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Educational Psychology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,193 |
| 2013 | 2,092 |
| 2014 | 1,959 |
| 2015 | 1,960 |
| 2016 | 1,829 |
| 2017 | 1,882 |
| 2018 | 1,844 |
| 2019 | 1,824 |
| 2020 | 1,882 |
| 2021 | 1,851 |
| 2022 | 1,965 |
| 2023 | 2,112 |
| 2024 | 1,973 |
| 2025 | 1,874 |
Top 50 institutions for Educational 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 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 101 | 67% | — | $27,841 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 84 | 49% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 83 | 65% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 73 | 85% | — | — |
| 5 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 72 | 84% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor's | 70 | 85% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 61 | 90% | — | — |
| 8 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 61 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 9 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 60 | 62% | — | — |
| 10 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 51 | 86% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 48 | 40% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicMaster's | 48 | 96% | — | — |
| 13 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 47 | 73% | — | — |
| 14 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 46 | 89% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 90% | — | — |
| 16 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 41 | 61% | — | $32,553 |
| 17 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 38 | 94% | $23,570 | $35,806 |
| 18 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 37 | 79% | $36,488 | — |
| 19 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicMaster's | 36 | 50% | — | $35,086 |
| 20 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 35 | 83% | — | — |
| 21 | Alliant International University - San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 33 | — | — | — |
| 22 | University of the Pacific Stockton, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 28 | 69% | $23,964 | — |
| 23 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 24 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster's | 25 | 64% | — | — |
| 25 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 24 | 69% | — | — |
| 26 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicMaster's | 24 | 52% | — | — |
| 27 | Kean University Union, NJPublicMaster's | 23 | 47% | — | — |
| 28 | William & Mary Williamsburg, VAPublicMaster'sMaster's | 23 | 89% | — | — |
| 29 | University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MOPublicMaster's | 22 | 57% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 22 | 67% | — | — |
| 31 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 61% | — | $26,245 |
| 32 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 22 | 68% | — | — |
| 33 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 22 | 74% | — | — |
| 34 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicMaster's | 21 | 54% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 51% | — | — |
| 36 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 37 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 19 | 0% | — | — |
| 38 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 80% | $35,682 | — |
| 39 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 51% | — | — |
| 40 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicMaster's | 16 | 56% | — | — |
| 41 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 15 | 84% | — | — |
| 42 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicMaster's | 14 | 46% | — | — |
| 43 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OHPublicMaster's | 13 | 50% | — | — |
| 44 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 43% | — | — |
| 45 | New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJPublicMaster's | 12 | 34% | — | — |
| 46 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster's | 12 | 68% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 68% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 64% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 71% | — | — |
| 50 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 10 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
* 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 35 states
Where Educational Psychology graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3034, School Psychologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Educational Psychology (Clinical) program often pursue careers as school psychologists, with a median wage of $86,930. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 3,800 annual openings, primarily requiring a Master's degree for entry into the field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 42.2806
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
School Psychologistsprimary SOC 19-3034 | $95,990 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~3,800 | 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 |
Psychologists, All Other SOC 19-3039 | $110,840 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~3,900 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Educational Psychology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
Tools and technology used
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
- ClinicalCIP 42.2899711 graduates / yr46 institutions
- Family PsychologyCIP 42.2811partial data630 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Community PsychologyCIP 42.2802464 graduates / yr34 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 Master's degree, Doctor's degree, Bachelor's degree, or a Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a school psychologist, psychology teacher, or in other psychology-related roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 3,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Educational Psychology?+
Educational Psychology is CIP 42.2806 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 focuses on the application of psychology to the study of the behavior of individuals in the roles of teacher and learner, the nature and effects of learning environments, and the psychological effects of methods, resources, organization and non-school experience on the educational process. Includes instruction in learning theory, human growth and development, research methods, and psychological evaluation.
How many institutions offer Educational Psychology programs?+
84 U.S. institutions reported Educational Psychology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 35 states, awarding 1,874 credentials in the year. That is 4.3% of all Clinical graduates.
How much do Educational Psychology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The School Psychologists occupation, which Educational Psychology most directly leads to, pays a median of $95,990 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical field report median earnings of $32,553 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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