Best colleges for Research and Experimental Psychology
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Research and Experimental Psychology by graduate earnings are Tufts University ($56,504), Columbia University ($53,156) and Johns Hopkins University ($49,035), 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%.
- Tufts University (Medford, MA): $56,504, 99 graduates a year
- Columbia University (New York, NY): $53,156, 148 graduates a year
- Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD): $49,035, 154 graduates a year
- Yale University (New Haven, CT): $47,874, 98 graduates a year
- Bates College (Lewiston, ME): $47,376, 53 graduates a year
Compare 297 U.S. colleges offering Research and Experimental Psychology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 50 states.
Research and Experimental Psychology programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,715 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 42.27 and the Clinical and Counseling Psychologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Research and Experimental Psychology programs
The Research and Experimental Psychology program focuses on applying experimental methods to study various psychological processes. Students engage in in-depth exploration of topics such as sensation, perception, memory, cognition, and social psychology, using both human participants and animal subjects. This program is ideal for those interested in understanding the complexities of behavior and mental processes through scientific inquiry.
Students in this program develop essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework covers a range of knowledge areas, including psychology, therapy, counseling, and quantitative methods, equipping graduates with the tools needed for effective research and practice in psychology.
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 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,504 | 99 | 94% | $23,570 | $15,875 |
| 2 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,156 | 148 | 96% | $15,315 | $20,500 |
| 3 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,035 | 154 | 94% | $11,888 | $14,507 |
| 4 | Yale University New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,874 | 98 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 5 | Bates College Lewiston, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,376 | 53 | 90% | $18,203 | $13,750 |
| 6 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,050 | 70 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 7 | Amherst College Amherst, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,786 | 39 | 94% | $16,081 | $10,800 |
| 8 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,542 | 171 | 97% | $22,055 | $18,125 |
| 9 | Barnard College New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,055 | 69 | 93% | $24,675 | $17,000 |
| 10 | Smith College Northampton, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,717 | 44 | 89% | $17,183 | $19,000 |
| 11 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,947 | 56 | 96% | $14,689 | $18,194 |
| 12 | Colgate University Hamilton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,883 | 68 | 91% | $22,903 | $16,000 |
| 13 | Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,599 | 54 | 83% | $24,453 | $27,000 |
| 14 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,501 | 124 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 15 | Park University Parkville, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,313 | 84 | 38% | $16,013 | $24,000 |
| 16 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,955 | 264 | 32% | — | $26,641 |
| 17 | Hamilton College Clinton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,880 | 31 | 91% | $20,680 | $17,450 |
| 18 | University of Rochester Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,732 | 206 | 85% | $25,874 | $21,000 |
| 19 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,661 | 485 | 65% | — | $21,314 |
| 20 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,493 | 66 | 96% | $14,644 | $15,110 |
| 21 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,359 | 153 | 97% | $16,260 | $12,125 |
| 22 | Carleton College Northfield, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,238 | 37 | 90% | $18,669 | $16,700 |
| 23 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,218 | 20 | 92% | $33,774 | $26,250 |
| 24 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,463 | 182 | 91% | $18,925 | $26,000 |
| 25 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,463 | 22 | — | — | $26,000 |
Specializations within Research and Experimental Psychology
10 of the 11 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 42.27 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Research and Experimental PsychologyCIP 42.279914,082 graduates / yr152 institutions39 states
- Experimental PsychologyCIP 42.27044,599 graduates / yr74 institutions30 states
- Developmental and Child PsychologyCIP 42.27031,771 graduates / yr63 institutions28 states
- Behavioral NeuroscienceCIP 42.27061,391 graduates / yr32 institutions18 states
- Social PsychologyCIP 42.2707455 graduates / yr33 institutions16 states
- Cognitive Psychology and PsycholinguisticsCIP 42.2701382 graduates / yr22 institutions14 states
- Psychometrics and Quantitative PsychologyCIP 42.2708210 graduates / yr16 institutions15 states
- PsychopharmacologyCIP 42.2709partial data74 graduates / yr5 institutions4 states
- Personality PsychologyCIP 42.2705limited data23 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Comparative PsychologyCIP 42.2702limited data16 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Show all 11 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Developmental and Adolescent Psychology42.2710
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 50 states
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 Research and Experimental Psychology program can pursue various careers in psychology, with an outlook that is much faster than average. The field is expected to see an annual opening of 4,800 positions, with a median wage of $95,830. Typically, a doctoral or professional degree is required for advancement in this field.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Research and Experimental Psychology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 42.27.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 42.27 (Research and Experimental Psychology) maps to 11 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 |
| 15-2041 | Statisticians |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 19-1042 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists |
| 19-1099 | Life Scientists, All Other |
| 19-3033 | Clinical and Counseling Psychologistsprimary |
| 19-3039 | Psychologists, All Other |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants |
| 21-1021 | Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
| 25-1066 | Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Research and Experimental 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 is Research and Experimental Psychology?+
It is a program that applies experimental methods to study psychological processes, including sensation, perception, and cognition.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective writing, alongside knowledge in psychology and quantitative methods.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with 4,800 annual openings and a median wage of $95,830.
What level of education is required?+
Typically, a doctoral or professional degree is required for careers in this field.
How much do Research and Experimental Psychology graduates earn?+
Research and Experimental Psychology graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,715, 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 Research and Experimental Psychology?+
Research and Experimental Psychology maps to CIP 42.27 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.
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