Best Online Psychology Degree Programs 2023
The digital era has revolutionized the way we approach education, and online psychology degrees are no exception. As the demand for remote learning continues to grow, students face the challenge of identifying the best schools offering comprehensive online psychology programs.
Embrace the Future of Psychology Education with Online Degrees
The landscape of education is shifting, and online psychology degrees have emerged as a popular choice among students seeking flexibility and accessibility. EDsmart staff has meticulously researched and compiled a list of top-tier online psychology programs that cater to both career-driven individuals and those looking to broaden their understanding of the subject.
Online Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Unlock Your Potential with Accredited Online Psychology Programs
Quality education is paramount, and accreditation plays a significant role in ensuring that online psychology programs meet the highest standards. In our analysis, we focus on accredited institutions to guarantee that the degrees earned not only enrich your knowledge but also hold value in the professional world.
Reputable Institutions: A Key Factor in Your Online Psychology Degree Journey
The reputation of the institution offering an online psychology degree plays a crucial role in determining the value of your education. Our list of top online psychology programs features schools that are well-respected within the academic community and the professional world. By choosing a reputable institution, you can be confident that your degree will be recognized and respected by employers.
Rankings
EDsmart provides a simple, reliable, and honest ranking of the best online psychology degrees.
To be considered for this ranking, schools must offer online courses.
Schools are ranked based on four data points in three categories:
- Affordability (financial aid, net price)
- Student Satisfaction (retention rate)
- Student Outcome (4-year graduation rate)
Each data point ranks with equal importance. Schools receive a weighted overall ranking score for each point mentioned above–100 being the highest score possible.
In the case of a tie, the average net price is the determining factor for which schools receive a higher rank. The lower the net price, the higher the school ranks.
At the time of this ranking, all data is accurate and can be found on the National Center for Education Statistics website.
Best Online Psychology Degrees 2023
Our selection of the best online psychology degrees encompasses a variety of programs that are designed to cater to diverse learning objectives.
Some of the key topics covered in these programs include:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Biopsychology
By incorporating a wide range of subjects, these online psychology degrees ensure that students acquire a solid foundation in psychological theories and practices, preparing them for successful careers or further studies in the field.
1. University of Wyoming
Score: 100
Salary After Attending: $50,685
Average Net Price: $11,085
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 60%
Among colleges with the best online psychology programs in the U.S., the University of Wyoming is an impressive standout. Located in the small town of Laramie, UW comprises a close-knit community of learners and future leaders. This school merits our top ranking largely due to its affordability, high earning potential over the next 20 years, and its many comprehensive academic programs. With a modest student-to-faculty ratio of just 14:1, students are able to get the assistance necessary to succeed in their fields of choice. The psychology programs at UW are no different, with the faculty of the Department of Psychology working hard to teach students classic and contemporary approaches to human behavior. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology.
2. UMass Lowell
Score: 98.3
Salary After Attending: $65,584
Average Net Price: $20,079
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 59%
The University of Massachusetts Lowell, located 25 miles outside of Boston, has been an integral part of the region’s academic identity for many years. The university is known for its collaborative ties with some of the top technology companies in the world, which means that UML students get to benefit from real-world applications and experience. This commitment to real-world applicability can be found in the school’s psychology program as well. The program combines theoretical study and scientific research methods with practical application through coursework, field studies, community involvement, and more. Students’ skills are further developed through an advanced two-semester field placement, through which they have the opportunity to gain more first-hand experience.
3. Rowan University
Score: 98.3
Salary After Attending: $55,410
Average Net Price: $27,158
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 75%
As a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution, Rowan University is dedicated to excellence in education and offers a full range of degrees. Though its main campus is located just 20 minutes southeast of Philadephia, students are able to attend classes at multiple in-state locations, as well as online. More than 19,000 students call this school home and it’s easy to see why. Rowan University is one of the best schools in the region and frequently appears high on college rankings. RU offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (33 credits), a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Science (60 credits), a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and three Master of Arts degrees in applied behavior analysis, clinical mental health counseling, and school psychology.
4. the University of Illinois Springfield
Score: 98.0
Salary After Attending: $49,747
Average Net Price: $12,034
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 54%
The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is a public university located in Springfield, Illinois. The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) offers an online psychology degree program leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology. This program is designed for students who want to study psychology in a flexible and convenient format. The curriculum covers the core topics in psychology, such as human development, personality, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. Additionally, students may choose to specialize in areas such as neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology. The online psychology degree program at UIS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is taught by experienced faculty members.
5. Northern Arizona University
Score: 97.5
Salary After Attending: $46,950
Average Net Price: $14,308
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 59%
Northern Arizona University, located in Flagstaff, Arizona, has served the community for nearly 120 years. NAU takes great pride in its student-centered approach and robust academic programs. But beyond that, NAU believes that possibilities can become reality. They support students’ abilities to forge their own paths and believe that with the proper instruction, students can make a positive impact on the world. The psychology program at NAU is an example of this. Students receive solid foundational preparation in the subjects of human behavior and mental processes, in addition to becoming well-rounded and well-educated citizens.
6. University of North Dakota
Score: 97.0
Salary After Attending: $57,299
Average Net Price: $16,966
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 50%
Since the school’s founding in 1883, the University of North Dakota has been ahead of its time. Today, with a student enrollment of more than 13,700 students, it is the largest school in the state and is well known for its innovative energy, medicine, aviation, and unmanned aircraft systems programs. In fact, UND is the only university in the state with graduate, law, and medical schools. The school’s department of psychology offers both undergraduate and graduate-level degrees, enabling students to pursue their studies all the way to the Ph.D. level. These focus on the principles and theories of human and animal behavior, namely motivation, learning and cognition, personality, deviant behavior, and human development.
7. Fort Hays State University
Score: 96.5
Salary After Attending: $42,518
Average Net Price: $13,189
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 57%
Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas, and once operated as a military outpost. Today, it serves more than 14,000 students while retaining small class sizes and remarkably affordable tuition costs. FHSU is an attractive option for students looking to get their bachelor’s degrees in psychology, offering both bachelor’s of science and bachelor’s of art options for virtual students. Students learn about human behavior through hands-on experiences that make a lasting impact. At FHSU, all full-time faculty in the department teach the online versions of their classes as well. Students can rest assured that they are receiving the same quality education offered to traditional students.
8. Oregon Institute of Technology
Score: 96.5
Salary After Attending: $67,184
Average Net Price: $15,680
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 50%
The Oregon Institute of Technology is distinguished for its 20-year return on investment. The school takes pride in ensuring that programs deliver personalized education through close-knit classroom environments and a hands-on approach to learning. Oregon Tech enables students to not only absorb what they’ve learned but quickly apply it in a real-world setting, as well. The online Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology is designed for students fascinated with the human mind that want to understand human behavior. The program culminates in an externship that pairs students with various organizations and can be accomplished in the student’s own home state, making it ideal for online students.
9. University of Louisiana at Monroe
Score: 94.5
Salary After Attending: $41,304
Average Net Price: $10,846
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 46%
The University of Louisiana Monore is a state-funded institution of higher learning that holds one of the highest standards for higher education in the region. Located in the eastern part of Monroe, the school supports an annual enrollment of more than 8,500 students. ULM’s undergraduate and graduate studies in Psychology are both highly comprehensive and applicable. The Bachelor of Arts degree from ULM’s Department of Psychology acts as a foundation for further professional or graduate study in the field. Students acquire fundamental skills and a general knowledge base necessary to understand all aspects of human behavior. This degree works well in conjunction with the Master of Science degree, which allows for more advanced fieldwork.
10. King University
Score: 94.3
Salary After Attending: $48,892
Average Net Price: $22,535
Retention Rate: 64%
Graduation Rate: 73%
King University is a private post-secondary institution that was founded in 1867 in Bristol, Tennessee as a Christian academic association. The school is governed by the Presbyterian Church and Evangelical Presbyterian Church, which means that the school encourages students to develop a strong foundation in liberal arts while promoting faith-based values. The online Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology gives students the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for a career in human services, social services, business, or any other non-clinical position. The program is available 100% online, allowing students the highest measure of flexibility, and can be completed in as little as 16 months.
11. Eastern Oregon University
Score: 93.5
Salary After Attending: $46,331
Average Net Price: $14,436
Retention Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 40%
Known as Oregon’s most rural college, Eastern Oregon University was founded in 1929 as a school for teachers. Today, it is one of the most renowned institutions in the region and serves as an education center for many of the rural areas of Oregon. Students take advantage of the smaller class sizes, many of which host fewer than 25 students at a time. Higher amounts of student-teacher interaction and collaboration result in greater student success on the individual level. EOU offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology. These programs introduce psychology as a scientific discipline, promoting deeper inquiry into psychology’s influence on contemporary thought and human behavior. EOU’s programs prepare students for advancement into higher graduate and professional studies, as well as entry-level positions in the field.
12. Bryan College
Score: 93.0
Salary After Attending: $46,301
Average Net Price: $15,662
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 47%
Bryan College was chartered in 1930 with the aim of providing higher education for men and women of the Christian faith. Today the school continues to pursue that goal, training followers of Christ to make a difference in the world through liberal arts-based education. With an enrollment of less than 2,000, students can expect small class sizes with high rates of faculty collaboration. The online psychology programs at Bryan College do not deviate from the on-campus ones, examining the science of psychological theory through a Christ-centered lens. The program develops skills in human services, early childhood development, and more, and is broken up into 6-week accelerated classes to ensure that students are able to advance as quickly as possible.
13. Brescia University
Score: 92.3
Salary After Attending: $37,575
Average Net Price: $13,831
Retention Rate: 69%
Graduation Rate: 37%
Brescia University is known for being all about the “Brescia Difference.” Though this may sound like nothing more than a catchy slogan or a marketing ploy, Brescia does actually aim to make difference in the lives of its students. By providing access to affordable, high-quality education, determined students can achieve their career goals and make their dreams a reality. Provided with an education centered on Catholic principles, students know that they will receive not just a high-quality education, but flourish in their faith as well. The online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program provides the basis for understanding human behavior and development, acting as a vehicle for individuals that want to pursue further advanced degrees or careers in the field.
14. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Score: 91.8
Salary After Attending: $36,797
Average Net Price: $15,585
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 46%
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is a Catholic institution that takes pride in its longstanding tradition of academic excellence. SMWC features a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and is consistently ranked as one of the best schools in the Midwestern region. The school’s psychology program encourages the development of research skills while developing fundamental knowledge of the human psyche. Students learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret empirical data from the perspective of a critical thinker. Psychology courses at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are taught by a highly-qualified faculty, all of whom are equipped with real-world experience as teachers, researchers, and full-time psychology practitioners.
15. University of Mount Olive
Score: 91.3
Salary After Attending: $42,336
Average Net Price: $15,883
Retention Rate: 64%
Graduation Rate: 47%
The University of Mount Olive was founded on Christian principles by the Original Free Will Baptist Church. As part of its commitment to the community, it encourages students to become upstanding moral citizens with strong values. The school offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in psychology. As a student, you can expect to be involved in rigorous scientific and theoretical exploration through various domains of psychology, theory, development, neuroscience, cognition, and more. All who participate in the program are required to complete an internship prior to graduation, which enhances real-world performance and ensures a high rate of career success. Students can choose between counseling and research tracks and will have the opportunity to work with various medical organizations or develop their own research projects, depending on their interests.
Chart Your Path to Success with the Best Online Psychology Degrees
Whether you’re at the beginning of your educational journey or seeking to advance your career, our list of top online psychology degree programs aims to provide you with the information you need to make the best choice.
By considering the accreditation and reputation of the institutions offering these programs, you can confidently begin a journey that aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Take the first step toward realizing your dreams and unlock your potential with the best online psychology degrees available today. Let your passion for understanding the human mind guide you toward a rewarding and fulfilling career in psychology.
