Best colleges for Psychology
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior, the physical and environmental bases of behavior, and the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders.
1,567 U.S. institutions graduated 146,449 Psychology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.0101, a specialization of Psychology (CIP 42.01), and leads most directly to the Clinical and Counseling Psychologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3033).
About Psychology programs
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior, the physical and environmental bases of behavior, and the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders. Includes instruction in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.
See also: 30.1701 - Behavioral Sciences.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Psychology program, with a full title of Psychology, General, focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior. It encompasses the physical and environmental bases of behavior, as well as the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding psychological concepts and applying them in various contexts. Students in this program will explore various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment techniques. It prepares graduates for diverse roles in mental health, education, and research, making it suitable for those passionate about helping others and studying human behavior.
Core coursework in the Psychology program covers essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and active listening. Students will also gain knowledge in therapy and counseling, sociology, and psychological assessment methods, equipping them with the tools needed to understand and address behavioral issues.
Credentials awarded
What Psychology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree116,790 graduates / yr · 1,271 institutions80%
- Associate's degree20,049 graduates / yr · 302 institutions14%
- Master's degree7,058 graduates / yr · 286 institutions4.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1,543 graduates / yr · 93 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year299 graduates / yr · 17 institutions0.2%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice253 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate193 graduates / yr · 18 institutions0.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years177 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Post-master's certificate54 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years23 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.0%
Graduates over time
Psychology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 116,604 |
| 2013 | 122,315 |
| 2014 | 125,964 |
| 2015 | 126,594 |
| 2016 | 127,459 |
| 2017 | 126,228 |
| 2018 | 126,067 |
| 2019 | 125,898 |
| 2020 | 129,217 |
| 2021 | 136,839 |
| 2022 | 138,461 |
| 2023 | 139,399 |
| 2024 | 142,547 |
| 2025 | 146,449 |
Top 50 institutions for 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 starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 4,942 | 43% | $34,565 | $38,600 |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 1,752 | 65% | $28,911 | $32,679 |
| 3 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 1,685 | 74% | — | $30,218 |
| 4 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 1,596 | 78% | — | $31,013 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 1,486 | 0% | — | $37,312 |
| 6 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 1,265 | 20% | $19,369 | $39,764 |
| 7 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 1,015 | 70% | — | $27,965 |
| 8 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 1,002 | 57% | — | $28,603 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 981 | 68% | — | $37,312 |
| 10 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 917 | 33% | — | $42,056 |
| 11 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 914 | 77% | — | $32,438 |
| 12 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 810 | 65% | — | $32,653 |
| 13 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 794 | 86% | — | $30,140 |
| 14 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 769 | 76% | — | $29,346 |
| 15 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 745 | 93% | — | $30,614 |
| 16 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 731 | 69% | — | $27,511 |
| 17 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 711 | 11% | $26,445 | $38,524 |
| 18 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 687 | 91% | — | $26,003 |
| 19 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor's | 652 | 90% | — | $29,874 |
| 20 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 643 | 57% | — | $31,706 |
| 21 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 623 | 84% | — | $31,280 |
| 22 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 615 | — | — | $37,944 |
| 23 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 609 | 56% | — | $32,603 |
| 24 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor's | 606 | 74% | — | $30,176 |
| 25 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 606 | 84% | — | $33,480 |
| 26 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 595 | 61% | — | $30,396 |
| 27 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 584 | 52% | — | $31,450 |
| 28 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 583 | 53% | — | $29,099 |
| 29 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 579 | 55% | — | $33,936 |
| 30 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 572 | 85% | — | $36,294 |
| 31 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 564 | 76% | — | $32,306 |
| 32 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 554 | 68% | — | $33,699 |
| 33 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 548 | 83% | — | $32,223 |
| 34 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 542 | 57% | — | $27,557 |
| 35 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 540 | 53% | — | $28,904 |
| 36 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 539 | 69% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 530 | 57% | $20,371 | $30,956 |
| 38 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 530 | 63% | — | $29,462 |
| 39 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 527 | 81% | — | $30,164 |
| 40 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor's | 525 | 67% | — | $30,920 |
| 41 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 524 | 86% | — | $32,408 |
| 42 | California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 514 | 43% | — | $29,727 |
| 43 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor's | 505 | 51% | — | $31,007 |
| 44 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 491 | 65% | — | $33,432 |
| 45 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 487 | 45% | — | $31,888 |
| 46 | CUNY City College New York, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 486 | 57% | — | $30,925 |
| 47 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 485 | 75% | — | $31,351 |
| 48 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 485 | 69% | — | $30,359 |
| 49 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 481 | 68% | — | $36,326 |
| 50 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicBachelor's | 479 | 51% | — | $26,541 |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Psychology field (CIP 42.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 54 states & territories
Where Psychology graduates come from. Each state links to all Psychology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3033, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Psychology program can pursue various careers, including Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Social Science Research Assistants, and Psychology Teachers. The job outlook for psychologists is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 11.2% and approximately 4,800 annual openings. The median wage for psychologists is $95,830, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 42.0101
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clinical and Counseling Psychologistsprimary SOC 19-3033 | $100,580 | +11.2% Much faster than average | ~4,800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Science Research Assistants SOC 19-4061 | $61,990 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~5,200 | 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 |
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists SOC 19-3032 | $193,950 | +6.3% Faster than average | ~400 | 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 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in the Psychology program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Associate's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Psychology.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and psychological assessment.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Psychology?+
You can work as a Clinical Psychologist, Social Science Research Assistant, or Psychology Teacher, among others.
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 is the CIP code for Psychology?+
Psychology is CIP 42.0101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Psychology (CIP 42.01). NCES defines it as: A general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior, the physical and environmental bases of behavior, and the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders. Includes instruction in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.
How many institutions offer Psychology programs?+
1,567 U.S. institutions reported Psychology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 54 states & territories, awarding 146,449 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Psychology graduates.
How much do Psychology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Clinical and Counseling Psychologists occupation, which Psychology most directly leads to, pays a median of $100,580 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Psychology field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,353, 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Psychology graduates, so its figures match the Psychology program page.
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