Best institutions to study Industrial and Organizational Psychology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and group behavior in institutional settings, applications to related problems of organization and industry, and that may prepare individuals to apply such principles in industrial and organizational settings.
127 U.S. institutions graduated 3,169 Industrial and Organizational Psychology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.2804, a specialization of Clinical (CIP 42.28), and leads most directly to the Industrial-Organizational Psychologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3032).
About Industrial and Organizational Psychology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and group behavior in institutional settings, applications to related problems of organization and industry, and that may prepare individuals to apply such principles in industrial and organizational settings. Includes instruction in group behavior theory, organizational theory, reward/punishment structures, human-machine and human-computer interactions, motivation dynamics, human stress studies, environmental and organizational influences on behavior, alienation and satisfaction, and job testing and assessment.
See also: 52.1003 - Organizational Behavior Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Clinical) program focuses on the scientific study of individual and group behavior within organizational settings. This program is designed for students interested in applying psychological principles to address challenges in industry and organizations, enhancing workplace environments and employee satisfaction. Students will explore topics such as organizational theory, motivation dynamics, and human-machine interactions. This program is ideal for those pursuing careers in psychology with a focus on workplace applications. Graduates will be equipped with the skills to analyze behaviors and develop strategies that improve organizational effectiveness. With a variety of degree options available, including master's and bachelor's degrees, students can tailor their education to meet their career goals in this dynamic field.
Students in this program will gain core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and data analysis. Coursework covers essential knowledge areas such as personnel and human resources, psychology, and administration. Students will also learn to develop employee selection programs, analyze workplace data, and assess job satisfaction through various psychological assessments.
Credentials awarded
What Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree2,213 graduates / yr · 97 institutions70%
- Bachelor's degree592 graduates / yr · 21 institutions19%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship260 graduates / yr · 29 institutions8.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate67 graduates / yr · 8 institutions2.1%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice15 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year14 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.4%
- Post-master's certificate8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
Graduates over time
Industrial and Organizational Psychology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,560 |
| 2013 | 1,516 |
| 2014 | 1,603 |
| 2015 | 1,621 |
| 2016 | 1,803 |
| 2017 | 1,920 |
| 2018 | 1,898 |
| 2019 | 2,067 |
| 2020 | 2,179 |
| 2021 | 2,353 |
| 2022 | 2,456 |
| 2023 | 2,778 |
| 2024 | 2,891 |
| 2025 | 3,169 |
Top 50 institutions for Industrial and Organizational 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 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 687 | 21% | $15,478 | $41,118 |
| 2 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 191 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 3 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 114 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 100 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Adler University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 80 | — | — | — |
| 6 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 80 | 72% | — | $57,204 |
| 7 | Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus Madison, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 79 | 67% | $23,573 | — |
| 8 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster's | 77 | 68% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 75 | 54% | $28,311 | — |
| 10 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 72 | 0% | — | — |
| 11 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitMaster's | 63 | 54% | $9,377 | — |
| 12 | William James College Newton, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)Post-degree cert. | 52 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Touro University Worldwide Los Alamitos, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 46 | 29% | $17,026 | — |
| 14 | University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo Arecibo, PRPublicBachelor's | 41 | 52% | — | $6,023 |
| 15 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 40 | 82% | — | — |
| 16 | Franklin University Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 40 | 11% | $22,280 | $39,387 |
| 17 | The Chicago School at Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Albizu University - San Juan San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 38 | 67% | $15,077 | — |
| 19 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 36 | 68% | $28,141 | — |
| 20 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 35 | 61% | $35,483 | — |
| 21 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 35 | 33% | $29,230 | — |
| 22 | Golden Gate University San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 34 | — | — | — |
| 23 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 34 | 65% | — | — |
| 24 | Northcentral University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 33 | — | — | — |
| 25 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 26 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 26 | 84% | — | — |
| 27 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 62% | $24,653 | — |
| 28 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | 62% | $26,940 | — |
| 29 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 24 | 69% | $34,539 | — |
| 30 | Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 73% | $42,705 | — |
| 31 | Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 57% | $18,716 | — |
| 32 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 70% | $20,794 | — |
| 33 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicMaster's | 20 | 50% | — | — |
| 34 | Touro University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 72% | $27,110 | — |
| 35 | Salem State University Salem, MAPublicMaster's | 19 | 50% | — | — |
| 36 | Saint Peter's University Jersey City, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 58% | $14,440 | — |
| 37 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicMaster's | 18 | 54% | — | — |
| 38 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TNPublicMaster's | 18 | 50% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicMaster's | 17 | 78% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster's | 17 | 90% | — | — |
| 41 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicMaster's | 17 | 64% | — | — |
| 42 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 43 | University of Houston - Clear Lake Houston, TXPublicMaster's | 17 | 52% | — | — |
| 44 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 64% | $33,585 | $34,506 |
| 45 | Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LAPublicMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 16 | 64% | — | — |
| 46 | Meredith College Raleigh, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 70% | $19,552 | — |
| 47 | Albizu University - Miami Miami, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 40% | $36,302 | — |
| 48 | Florida Southern College Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 71% | $28,325 | — |
| 49 | National Louis University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 30% | $18,904 | — |
| 50 | United States Military Academy West Point, NYPublicBachelor's | 15 | 87% | — | — |
* 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 34 states & territories
Where Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3032, Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Clinical) program can pursue careers as Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, Management Analysts, or Human Resources Specialists, among others. The field is projected to grow by 6.3% with approximately 400 annual job openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $109,840, typically requiring a master's degree for entry.
Career pathways for CIP 42.2804
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Industrial-Organizational Psychologistsprimary SOC 19-3032 | $193,950 | +6.3% Faster than average | ~400 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Management Analysts SOC 13-1111 | $101,860 | +8.8% Much faster than average | ~98,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Human Resources Specialists SOC 13-1071 | $75,940 | +6.2% Faster than average | ~81,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Training and Development Specialists SOC 13-1151 | $69,280 | +10.8% Much faster than average | ~43,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Human Resources Managers SOC 11-3121 | $149,280 | +5.0% Faster than average | ~17,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1066 | $80,340 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Training and Development Managers SOC 11-3131 | $133,000 | +5.8% Faster than average | ~3,800 | Bachelor'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 Industrial and Organizational 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
- Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
- Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
- Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
- Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
- Observe and interview workers to obtain information about the physical, mental, and educational requirements of jobs, as well as information about aspects such as job satisfaction.
- Facilitate organizational development and change.
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
- 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
- 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 bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctoral degree, or a postbaccalaureate certificate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
Graduates can work as Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, Management Analysts, or Human Resources Specialists.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a projected growth of 6.3% and about 400 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Industrial and Organizational Psychology?+
Industrial and Organizational Psychology is CIP 42.2804 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 scientific study of individual and group behavior in institutional settings, applications to related problems of organization and industry, and that may prepare individuals to apply such principles in industrial and organizational settings. Includes instruction in group behavior theory, organizational theory, reward/punishment structures, human-machine and human-computer interactions, motivation dynamics, human stress studies, environmental and organizational influences on behavior, alienation and satisfaction, and job testing and assessment.
How many institutions offer Industrial and Organizational Psychology programs?+
127 U.S. institutions reported Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 34 states & territories, awarding 3,169 credentials in the year. That is 7.4% of all Clinical graduates.
How much do Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Industrial-Organizational Psychologists occupation, which Industrial and Organizational Psychology most directly leads to, pays a median of $193,950 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical field report median earnings of $35,159 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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