Best Online Psychology Degree Programs 2024
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.
Methodology
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.
In our analysis of the best online psychology degrees, we looked at several factors and ranked our list of schools accordingly.
- Affordability (average net price)
- Student Satisfaction (retention rate)
- Academic Quality (4-year graduation rate)
- Median Earnings (the median earnings of former students who received federal financial aid, at 10 years after entering the school)
Each data point is ranked with equal weight. Schools received a weighted overall ranking score for each individual point mentioned above–100 being the highest score possible.
In the case of tie scoring, the average net price was the determining factor for which school received the higher rank–the lower the net price, the higher the ranking.
All data was gathered from College Scorecard and school websites.
Best Online Psychology Degrees 2024
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 Florida
- Average Net Price: $3,679
- Graduation Rate: 87.55%
- Retention Rate: 97.04%
- Median Earnings: $69,468
Degrees Offered – UF offers an online Master of Science in Psychology with concentrations in behavior analysis, health psychology & behavioral medicine, and psychological clinical science. They also offer a fully online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in School Psychology.
Format – The online masters and PhD programs allow students to complete all coursework 100% remotely. The programs use synchronous and asynchronous online learning.
Time to Complete – The online masters takes 2 years full-time or up to 5 years part-time. The online PhD takes 5 years minimum.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, resume, statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, and specific prerequisite coursework. Minimum GPA varies by program.
Accreditation – The UF graduate psychology programs hold APA accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.
Faculty – Courses are taught by full UF faculty from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Students work directly with faculty advisors.
Reputation – UF is ranked among the top public universities nationally with highly-ranked graduate psychology programs.
2. Indiana University-Bloomington
- Average Net Price: $14,216
- Graduation Rate: 79.14%
- Retention Rate: 90.79%
- Median Earnings: $61,279
NC State offers over 130 master’s programs in a variety of fields, including engineering, sciences, humanities, agriculture, textiles, education, business, and more. Popular choices include computer science, electrical engineering, accounting, and statistics.
Degrees Offered – IU Bloomington offers an online Master of Science in Psychology with Applied Behavior Analysis and an online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Format – Both the online MS and Graduate Certificate are offered 100% online through IU Bloomington’s School of Education. No campus visits are required.
Time to Complete – The online MS can be completed in 2-3 years part-time. The Graduate Certificate takes 1-2 years part-time.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, resume, goal statement, letters of recommendation, and prerequisite psychology coursework.
Accreditation – The online programs have accreditation from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and hold Verified Course Sequences status.
Curriculum – The MS and Graduate Certificate focus on principles of applied behavior analysis and training students to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
Faculty – Instructors are faculty from the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
Reputation – IU Bloomington is recognized as one of the top public universities in the U.S. with highly-ranked psychology programs.
3. University of Central Florida
- Average Net Price: $9,217
- Graduation Rate: 72.51%
- Retention Rate: 92.00%
- Median Earnings: $54,850
Degrees Offered – UCF offers an online Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and an online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Format – Both programs are offered 100% online, allowing students to complete the programs remotely. They use asynchronous online learning.
Time to Complete – The online MA takes 2 years full-time or up to 5 years part-time. The Certificate takes 1-2 years part-time.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, resume, goal statement, letters of recommendation, and prerequisite undergraduate coursework.
Accreditation – The online Clinical Psychology MA program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
Curriculum – The online MA provides clinical psychology training and prep for licensing. The Certificate focuses on principles of applied behavior analysis.
Faculty – Courses are taught by UCF College of Sciences faculty and practicing psychologist instructors.
Reputation – UCF is one of the largest universities in the nation and is recognized for its online graduate programs in psychology.
4. Arizona State University Campus Immersion
- Average Net Price: $12,814
- Graduation Rate: 67.87%
- Retention Rate: 86.11%
- Median Earnings: $58,967
Degrees Offered – ASU offers an online Master of Science in Psychology with concentrations in forensic psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, and quantitative research methods.
Format – The online MS program allows students to complete the degree entirely remotely through ASU Online. It uses asynchronous online learning.
Time to Complete – The online MS takes 2 years to complete full-time or up to 6 years part-time.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, resume, letters of recommendation, and prerequisite undergraduate coursework. Minimum GPA is 3.0.
Accreditation – ASU is regionally accredited. The MS meets curriculum standards for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
Curriculum – Students complete core courses in research methods and statistics as well as concentration-specific coursework.
Faculty – Courses are taught by ASU psychology faculty from the Tempe campus. Students have access to faculty advising.
Reputation – ASU is recognized as one of the most innovative universities. Its online graduate psychology program provides flexible training aligned with in-demand specializations.
5. Drexel University
- Average Net Price: $23,167
- Graduation Rate: 67.91%
- Retention Rate: 88.71%
- Median Earnings: $79,785
Degrees Offered – Drexel offers an online Master of Science in Psychology and an online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Format – Both the online MS and Certificate programs are offered entirely online through Drexel University Online. No campus visits are required.
Time to Complete – The online MS can be completed full-time in 2 years or part-time in up to 4 years. The Certificate takes 1 year to complete.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores (optional), resume, essay, letters of recommendation, and some prerequisite undergraduate coursework.
Accreditation – Drexel’s online psychology programs hold accreditation from the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
Curriculum – The online MS provides a general psychology education. The Certificate focuses specifically on principles of applied behavior analysis and prep for board certification.
Faculty – Instructors are full-time Drexel faculty and working psychology professionals. Online support is also provided.
Reputation – Drexel is recognized as a top private research university with a commitment to experiential, technology-infused education.
6. Colorado State University-Fort Collins
- Average Net Price: $19,016
- Graduation Rate: 71.67%
- Retention Rate: 85.28%
- Median Earnings: $58,388
Degrees Offered – CSU Fort Collins offers an online Master of Science in Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology and an online Graduate Certificate in Public Management.
Format – Both programs are offered fully online through the CSU Online platform and do not require any campus visits. They use asynchronous online course delivery.
Time to Complete – The online MS can be completed in 2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time. The Certificate takes 1 year part-time.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, resume, letters of recommendation, and prerequisite coursework. Minimum GPA is 3.0.
Tuition Cost – Estimated tuition for the online MS is around $525 per credit hour for in-state and $867 per credit for out-of-state students. Certificate tuition is similar.
Accreditation – CSU Fort Collins has regional accreditation. The online I/O psychology master’s is endorsed by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Curriculum – The MS provides training in areas like statistics, personnel psychology, organizational behavior, and research methods. The Certificate covers public administration topics.
Faculty – Courses are taught by CSU faculty from the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Business.
Reputation – CSU Fort Collins is recognized as a top public research university and a leader in online education.
7. Oregon State University
- Average Net Price: $18,010
- Graduation Rate: 65.09%
- Retention Rate: 85.67%
- Median Earnings: $60,461
Degree Offered – OSU offers an online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (MSABA) degree.
Format – The MSABA program is offered fully online through OSU’s Ecampus. No campus visits are required. The program uses asynchronous course delivery.
Time to Complete – Students can complete the program in 2 years (6 terms) through full-time study. Part-time options extend completion time.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and some related undergraduate coursework.
Tuition Cost – Estimated tuition for the online MSABA is around $615 per credit for Oregon residents and $838 per credit for non-residents.
Accreditation – OSU has regional accreditation. The MSABA is accredited by ABAI and meets requirements to sit for the BCBA exam.
Curriculum – Courses focus on concepts like behavioral assessment, research methods, ethics, and interventions in applied behavior analysis.
Faculty – Instructors are working professionals and faculty affiliated with OSU’s College of Education.
Reputation – OSU is considered a top public research university. Its online MSABA is highly regarded for BCBA exam readiness.
8. Loyola University Chicago
- Average Net Price: $27,330
- Graduation Rate: 72.99%
- Retention Rate: 86.06%
- Median Earnings: $66,791
Degrees Offered – Loyola offers an online Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Applied Child and Adolescent emphasis as well as an online Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Format – Both programs are offered 100% online. No campus visits are required. They use asynchronous learning with optional synchronous components.
Time to Complete – The online MA takes 2-3 years to complete part-time. The Certificate takes 1 year part-time.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, essays, letters of recommendation, an interview, and some prerequisite coursework.
Accreditation – Loyola University Chicago is regionally accredited. The MA program is aligned with licensing standards.
Curriculum – The MA provides child psychology training. The Certificate covers concepts in applied behavior analysis and prep for BCBA certification.
Faculty – Instructors are Loyola faculty and practicing psychologists/behavior analysts. Academic advising is provided.
Reputation – Loyola is a top-ranked private, Jesuit university located in Chicago. Its clinical training programs are highly regarded.
9. The Pennsylvania State University
- Average Net Price: $27,521
- Graduation Rate: 69.90%
- Retention Rate: 86.90%
- Median Earnings: $61,185
Degree Offered – Penn State offers an online Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Applied Psychological and Educational Assessment.
Format – This is an online cohort-based program offered through Penn State World Campus. No campus visits are required.
Time to Complete – The MPS can be completed in 2 years on a full-time basis. Part-time options allow up to 4 years for completion.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, resume, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and some prerequisite coursework. GRE scores are not required.
Accreditation – Penn State World Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Curriculum – Coursework covers psychological assessment, evaluation, intervention, consultation, ethics, lifespan development, and more.
Faculty – Courses are taught by faculty in Penn State’s College of Education. Students work closely with faculty program advisors.
Reputation – Penn State is recognized as one of the top public universities in the U.S. with highly-ranked online programs.
10. University of Louisville
- Average Net Price: $17,744
- Graduation Rate: 54.71%
- Retention Rate: 78.77%
- Median Earnings: $51,380
Degree Offered – UofL offers an online Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Format – This is an online cohort-based program offered through UofL’s School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. No campus visits required.
Time to Complete – The program can be completed in 2 years of full-time study. Part-time options allow up to 6 years for completion.
Application Requirements – Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, resume, essay, letters of recommendation, and some prerequisite undergraduate coursework.
Accreditation – UofL is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Curriculum – Coursework covers areas like industrial psychology, organizational psychology, statistics, research methods, and psychometrics.
Faculty – Instructors are faculty from UofL’s College of Education and Human Development.
Reputation – UofL is considered a top tier research university with com
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.
