Best colleges for Psychology
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Psychology by graduate earnings are Georgetown University ($51,959), Bucknell University ($51,645) and The University of Texas Permian Basin ($46,009), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Georgetown University (Washington, DC): $51,959, 73 graduates a year
- Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA): $51,645, 74 graduates a year
- The University of Texas Permian Basin (Odessa, TX): $46,009, 121 graduates a year
- Marian University (Fond Du Lac, WI): $45,416, 20 graduates a year
- Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA): $44,760, 171 graduates a year
Compare 1,567 U.S. colleges offering Psychology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 54 states.
Psychology programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,353 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 42.01 and the Clinical and Counseling Psychologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Psychology programs
The Psychology program, specifically in General Psychology, explores the complexities of human behavior and mental processes. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding psychological principles and applying them to real-world situations, whether in therapy, counseling, or research settings. It provides a comprehensive foundation for those looking to pursue advanced studies or careers in various psychology-related fields.
Students in the Psychology program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics like therapy and counseling, psychological assessment, and the application of psychological principles in various contexts, preparing graduates for diverse roles in the field.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,959 | 73 | 95% | $22,242 | $17,500 |
| 2 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,645 | 74 | 86% | $30,675 | $27,000 |
| 3 | The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,009 | 121 | 40% | — | $21,731 |
| 4 | Marian University Fond Du Lac, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,416 | 20 | 44% | $22,627 | $28,468 |
| 5 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,760 | 171 | 91% | $21,126 | $18,000 |
| 6 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,163 | 41 | 76% | — | $19,250 |
| 7 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,088 | 142 | 95% | $14,799 | $14,500 |
| 8 | Endicott College Beverly, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,646 | 53 | 76% | $34,195 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Lakeland University Plymouth, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,355 | 20 | 42% | $20,767 | $38,866 |
| 10 | Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,183 | 105 | 34% | $22,697 | $41,478 |
| 11 | Rice University Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,299 | 74 | 95% | $13,264 | $12,505 |
| 12 | Norwich University Northfield, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,164 | 26 | 60% | $23,982 | $26,938 |
| 13 | College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,099 | 92 | 87% | $24,533 | $27,000 |
| 14 | College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,029 | 37 | 77% | $22,583 | $27,000 |
| 15 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,958 | 111 | 44% | — | $30,155 |
| 16 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,942 | 88 | 88% | $26,912 | $21,160 |
| 17 | Colby College Waterville, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,842 | 47 | 89% | $15,696 | — |
| 18 | American International College Springfield, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,467 | 29 | 46% | $23,595 | $27,000 |
| 19 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,264 | 60 | 62% | $24,653 | $26,000 |
| 20 | Nevada State University Henderson, NV Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,183 | 81 | 34% | — | $29,000 |
| 21 | Connecticut College New London, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,141 | 49 | 82% | $27,183 | $24,197 |
| 22 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,054 | 273 | 65% | — | $25,925 |
| 23 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,009 | 136 | 48% | — | $29,000 |
| 24 | Fairfield University Fairfield, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,890 | 94 | 84% | $36,845 | $26,000 |
| 25 | Lesley University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,211 | 35 | 58% | $30,837 | $23,848 |
Specializations within Psychology
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 42.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 54 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3033, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Psychology program can expect a favorable job outlook, with an estimated growth rate of 11.2% and approximately 4,800 annual openings in the field. Most positions require a doctoral or professional degree, and the median wage for psychology professionals is around $95,830, reflecting the program's potential for a rewarding career.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Psychology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 42.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 42.01 (Psychology, General) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3032 | Industrial-Organizational Psychologists |
| 19-3033 | Clinical and Counseling Psychologistsprimary |
| 19-3039 | Psychologists, All Other |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants |
| 25-1066 | Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Psychology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
- Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
- Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
- Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
- Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
- Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
Common questions
What can I do with a degree in psychology?+
A degree in psychology can lead to careers in counseling, therapy, research, and various roles in healthcare and education.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and understanding psychological principles.
What is the job outlook for psychology graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 11.2% and 4,800 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most careers in psychology require a doctoral or professional degree.
How much do Psychology graduates earn?+
Psychology graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,353, College Scorecard (2019); the Clinical and Counseling Psychologists occupation pays about $112,750 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Psychology?+
Psychology maps to CIP 42.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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