Best institutions to study School Psychology
A program that prepares individuals to apply clinical and counseling psychology principles to the diagnosis and treatment of student behavioral problems.
205 U.S. institutions graduated 3,734 School Psychology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.2805, a specialization of Clinical (CIP 42.28), and leads most directly to the School Psychologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3034).
About School Psychology programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply clinical and counseling psychology principles to the diagnosis and treatment of student behavioral problems. Includes instruction in child and/or adolescent development; learning theory; testing, observation and other procedures for assessing educational, personality, intelligence and motor skill development; therapeutic intervention strategies for students and families; identification and classification of disabilities and disorders affecting learning; school psychological services planning; supervised counseling practice; ethical standards; and applicable regulations.
See also: 13.1101 - Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The School Psychology (Clinical) program prepares individuals to apply clinical and counseling psychology principles to address student behavioral issues. This program is designed for those interested in diagnosing and treating various conditions that affect learning, focusing on child and adolescent development. Graduates will be equipped to support students, families, and educational institutions effectively.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in active listening, critical thinking, and therapeutic intervention strategies. Coursework covers topics such as testing and assessment, ethical standards, and the identification of disabilities, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the psychological needs of students.
Credentials awarded
What School Psychology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree2,482 graduates / yr · 151 institutions67%
- Post-master's certificate833 graduates / yr · 74 institutions22%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship335 graduates / yr · 49 institutions9.0%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice51 graduates / yr · 12 institutions1.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate28 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.7%
- Doctor's degree - other3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Bachelor's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
School Psychology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,783 |
| 2013 | 2,794 |
| 2014 | 2,766 |
| 2015 | 2,872 |
| 2016 | 2,982 |
| 2017 | 3,156 |
| 2018 | 3,034 |
| 2019 | 3,118 |
| 2020 | 3,329 |
| 2021 | 3,227 |
| 2022 | 3,626 |
| 2023 | 3,645 |
| 2024 | 3,681 |
| 2025 | 3,734 |
Top 50 institutions for School 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 108 | 43% | $31,817 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts Global Aliso Viejo, CAPublicMaster's | 102 | 43% | — |
| 3 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 85 | 62% | $20,686 |
| 4 | Alliant International University - San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 74 | — | — |
| 5 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 74 | 20% | $19,369 |
| 6 | Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 72 | 50% | $14,298 |
| 7 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 71 | 73% | $33,454 |
| 8 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 60 | 82% | $42,965 |
| 9 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicMaster'sMaster's | 56 | 54% | — |
| 10 | Albizu University - San Juan San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 56 | 67% | $15,077 |
| 11 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 55 | — | — |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 48 | 90% | — |
| 13 | Yeshiva University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 47 | 83% | $39,696 |
| 14 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 44 | 91% | $18,925 |
| 15 | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 42 | — | — |
| 16 | Alverno College Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 42 | 49% | $17,221 |
| 17 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 39 | 67% | $16,109 |
| 18 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicMaster'sMaster's | 39 | 67% | — |
| 19 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 66% | $27,359 |
| 20 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicMaster'sMaster's | 37 | 67% | — |
| 21 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicMaster's | 36 | 43% | — |
| 22 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicMaster's | 35 | 55% | — |
| 23 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 34 | 63% | $31,672 |
| 24 | University of La Verne La Verne, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 33 | 63% | $45,461 |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WIPublicMaster's | 33 | 71% | — |
| 26 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 33 | 52% | — |
| 27 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 32 | 68% | — |
| 28 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 79% | $36,488 |
| 29 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 32 | 75% | — |
| 30 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicDoctoralMaster's | 31 | 46% | — |
| 31 | Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MNPublicMaster'sMaster's | 31 | 57% | — |
| 32 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 31 | 82% | $38,931 |
| 33 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicMaster's | 31 | 49% | — |
| 34 | Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Master'sMaster's | 30 | 53% | $18,059 |
| 35 | Adelphi University Garden City, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 30 | 67% | $27,326 |
| 36 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicMaster's | 30 | 53% | — |
| 37 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | 62% | — |
| 38 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicMaster's | 28 | 76% | — |
| 39 | Georgian Court University Lakewood, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 27 | 54% | $19,504 |
| 40 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 80% | $28,560 |
| 41 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicMaster'sMaster's | 27 | 57% | — |
| 42 | Eastern University Saint Davids, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 27 | 54% | $25,146 |
| 43 | The Chicago School at Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 26 | — | — |
| 44 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 72% | — |
| 45 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicMaster'sMaster's | 24 | 49% | — |
| 46 | Worcester State University Worcester, MAPublicMaster'sMaster's | 24 | 61% | — |
| 47 | The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TXPublicMaster's | 24 | 54% | — |
| 48 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicMaster's | 23 | 69% | — |
| 49 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicMaster's | 23 | 80% | — |
| 50 | Seattle University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 76% | $31,900 |
Offered in 47 states & territories
Where School 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 School Psychology program typically pursue careers as School Psychologists, with an average annual wage of $86,930. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 3,800 annual openings expected. A Master's degree is the typical education required for this profession.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 42.2805
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 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors SOC 21-1012 | $64,330 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~31,000 | Master's degree |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1066 | $80,340 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Doctoral or professional 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 School 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
- 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
- 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, a Post-master's certificate, or a Doctor's degree in research/scholarship or professional practice.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and therapeutic intervention strategies.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a School Psychologist, educational counselor, or psychology teacher.
What is the job outlook for school psychologists?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 3,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for School Psychology?+
School Psychology is CIP 42.2805 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 clinical and counseling psychology principles to the diagnosis and treatment of student behavioral problems. Includes instruction in child and/or adolescent development; learning theory; testing, observation and other procedures for assessing educational, personality, intelligence and motor skill development; therapeutic intervention strategies for students and families; identification and classification of disabilities and disorders affecting learning; school psychological services planning; supervised counseling practice; ethical standards; and applicable regulations.
How many institutions offer School Psychology programs?+
205 U.S. institutions reported School Psychology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 47 states & territories, awarding 3,734 credentials in the year. That is 8.7% of all Clinical graduates.
How much do School Psychology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The School Psychologists occupation, which School 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 $40,316 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card