Best Online Psychology Degree Programs 2025
Many universities now offer excellent online psychology degrees. These programs prepare students for careers in counseling, social work, and human resources.
When choosing a program, look for:
- Accreditation
- Experienced faculty
- Flexible scheduling options
- Internship opportunities
- Career support services
Top online psychology bachelor's programs often include courses in:
- Research methods
- Cognitive psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Abnormal psychology
- Social psychology
Online psychology degrees typically take 3-4 years to complete. Some schools offer accelerated options. Admission usually requires a high school diploma or GED, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Online Psychology Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.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, 6 years after entering the school)
Each data point is ranked with equal weight. Schools received a weighted overall ranking score for each point mentioned above, with 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 2025
University of Utah
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Admission Rate: 89%
Average SAT Score: 1236
Undergraduate Enrollment: 25,392
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Average Cost of Attendance: $18,891
In-state Tuition and Fees: $9,315
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $29,837
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $19,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $67,170
University of Central Florida
Location: Orlando, FL
Admission Rate: 41%
Average SAT Score: 1281
Undergraduate Enrollment: 57,874
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $22,662
In-state Tuition and Fees: $6,368
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $22,467
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $18,190
Median Earnings (10 years): $58,308
University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Admission Rate: 12%
Average SAT Score: 1520
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,505
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $81,298
In-state Tuition and Fees: $64,726
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $64,726
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $18,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $92,498
Charter Oak State College
Location: New Britain, CT
Admission Rate: Data unavailable
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,426
Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $18,386
In-state Tuition and Fees: $8,254
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $10,796
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $18,683
Median Earnings (10 years): $64,209
University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, AZ
Admission Rate: 87%
Average SAT Score: 1229
Undergraduate Enrollment: 37,979
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $27,682
In-state Tuition and Fees: $13,275
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $39,577
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $19,620
Median Earnings (10 years): $59,979
Oregon State University
Location: Corvallis, OR
Admission Rate: 83%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 28,407
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Average Cost of Attendance: $28,827
In-state Tuition and Fees: $12,664
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $33,439
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,221
Median Earnings (10 years): $64,010
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Location: University Park, PA
Admission Rate: 55%
Average SAT Score: 1308
Undergraduate Enrollment: 41,417
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $38,049
In-state Tuition and Fees: $19,835
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $38,651
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $25,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $63,435
Drexel University
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Admission Rate: 80%
Average SAT Score: 1333
Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,933
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $72,427
In-state Tuition and Fees: $58,965
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $58,965
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $25,325
Median Earnings (10 years): $84,648
Mississippi State University
Location: Mississippi State, MS
Admission Rate: 75%
Average SAT Score: 1215
Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,154
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $26,353
In-state Tuition and Fees: $9,398
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $25,444
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $22,142
Median Earnings (10 years): $51,513
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Location: Saint Louis, MO
Admission Rate: 88%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,781
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $44,826
In-state Tuition and Fees: $27,166
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $27,166
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $22,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $62,105
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Admission Rate: 85%
Average SAT Score: 1092
Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,329
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Average Cost of Attendance: $19,984
In-state Tuition and Fees: $8,947
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $25,489
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $19,450
Median Earnings (10 years): $55,037
University of Louisville
Location: Louisville, KY
Admission Rate: 82%
Average SAT Score: 1153
Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,822
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $29,595
In-state Tuition and Fees: $12,520
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $28,866
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $20,500
Median Earnings (10 years): $53,899
DeSales University
Location: Center Valley, PA
Admission Rate: 77%
Average SAT Score: 1204
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,175
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $56,928
In-state Tuition and Fees: $42,600
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $42,600
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $25,788
Median Earnings (10 years): $61,295
University of Memphis
Location: Memphis, TN
Admission Rate: 95%
Average SAT Score: 1090
Undergraduate Enrollment: 14,181
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $23,875
In-state Tuition and Fees: $10,056
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $14,280
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $23,300
Median Earnings (10 years): $48,458
Buena Vista University
Location: Storm Lake, IA
Admission Rate: 77%
Average SAT Score: 1115
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,419
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $51,406
In-state Tuition and Fees: $38,644
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $38,644
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $25,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $49,156
McNeese State University
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Admission Rate: 71%
Average SAT Score: 1089
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,928
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $20,355
In-state Tuition and Fees: $8,440
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $9,940
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $23,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $46,453
Lynn University
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Admission Rate: 80%
Average SAT Score: 1126
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,789
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $58,188
In-state Tuition and Fees: $41,550
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $41,550
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $17,940
Median Earnings (10 years): $49,006
National University
Location: San Diego, CA
Admission Rate: Data unavailable
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,993
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $36,459
In-state Tuition and Fees: $13,320
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $13,320
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $25,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $67,548
University of Massachusetts Global
Location: Irvine, CA
Admission Rate: Data unavailable
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,545
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $35,619
In-state Tuition and Fees: $12,520
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $12,520
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $24,276
Median Earnings (10 years): $65,703
Purdue University Global
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Admission Rate: Data unavailable
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,339
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $13,945
In-state Tuition and Fees: $10,134
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $14,445
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $26,078
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,596
Southern New Hampshire University
Location: Manchester, NH
Admission Rate: 96%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 138,138
Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $36,121
In-state Tuition and Fees: $15,380
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $15,380
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,082
Median Earnings (10 years): $50,318
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Psychology Bachelor's Program
Program Credentials
Check if the school holds proper certification. This ensures the program meets high academic standards. Certified programs undergo regular reviews. Many employers and graduate schools prefer applicants from certified institutions. State boards that issue psychology licenses often require degrees from certified schools. You can check a program's status in the U.S. Department of Education's database.
Entry Criteria
Each program has its own entry rules. Most ask for a high school diploma or GED. You may need to provide references and school records. Many top programs look for students with at least a 3.5 GPA. Check the specific requirements for each program you're interested in.
Expenses and Aid
Think about costs and ways to pay for school. Online programs can be cheaper than on-campus ones. However, there may be fewer chances for online students to get work-study jobs. Look into scholarships, grants, and loans to help cover costs.
Learning Formats
Programs come in different formats. Some are fully online. Others mix online and in-person classes. Courses with labs or field work might require some campus visits. Before you enroll, make sure you have fast, reliable internet access at home.
How to Apply for Online Psychology Bachelor's Programs
Applying for online psychology degrees takes time and preparation. Start early to avoid rushing. Ask a trusted teacher or counselor to review your application materials.
Most programs require:
- High school diploma or GED
- Official transcripts
- References
- Personal essay
Some schools may also request an interview, which can often be done virtually for online programs.
Application fees are common, but fee waivers may be available if needed. Check if your chosen schools use the Common App, which allows applying to multiple colleges with one application.
For competitive programs, consider early decision if you have a top-choice school. This shows strong interest but requires committing if accepted.
Online Psychology Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Psychology Degree Career Paths: Jobs and Growth Projection
Looking at recent job data, psychology graduates have exciting career paths ahead! The numbers show strong growth in several fields.
Top Jobs for Psychology Graduates (2024-2034 Projections):
- Health Specialties Teachers
- Growth: 19%
- Requires: Doctoral degree
- Advanced degree holders: 72%
- Therapists
- Growth: 12%
- Requires: Bachelor's degree
- Advanced degree holders: 63%
- Management Positions
- Growth: 6%
- Requires: Bachelor's degree
- Advanced degree holders: 21%
While many roles start with a bachelor's degree, some paths like counseling or becoming a psychologist need additional education. For example, 89% of psychologists have advanced degrees.
Here's a quick look at salary potential in related fields:
| Job Title | Typical Growth | Entry Level Education |
| Health Specialties Teacher | 19% | Doctoral |
| Therapist | 12% | Bachelor's |
| Manager | 6% | Bachelor's |
| Registered Nurse | 6% | Bachelor's |
| Psychologist | 5% | Master's |
Online Psychology Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Bachelor's Degree Programs
What's the difference between a BA and BS in psychology?
Both degrees cover similar topics, but a BA allows more liberal arts electives. A BS focuses more on math and science, including research methods and statistics.
Are online psychology degrees as good as on-campus programs?
Yes, accredited online programs offer the same curriculum and faculty as on-campus options. They lead to the same degree and prepare students equally well.
What makes a good online psychology program?
Look for accredited schools with experienced faculty, flexible coursework, and support services like advising, library access, tutoring, and tech support.
Do online programs require any in-person attendance?
Some may require on-campus orientations or intensives. Many offer internships or practicums, which can often be completed locally.
Can I get the same quality education online as in-person?
Absolutely. Accredited online programs provide the same level of education and prepare students just as well for future careers or graduate studies.
