Top 20 Most Innovative Psychology Degree Programs At Small Colleges in the U.S.

If you are considering a career in psychology, you might be researching the most innovative psychology degree programs at small colleges in the U.S. There are many benefits to pursuing a degree from a larger academic institution. However, smaller schools offer opportunities for more focused, personalized studies as students collaborate more closely with peers and faculty members.

Whether you plan to enter the workforce immediately after graduating or you are looking to pursue graduate training in management, human resources, business, law, medicine, or social work, an undergraduate degree in psychology can get you there. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, there are many innovative degrees offered at top-rated, nationally recognized small institutions across the country.

Methodology

To help students narrow down their program options in terms of smaller schools offering Bachelor’s in Psychology degrees, we researched post-secondary institutions throughout the U.S. To start our list, we used the College Navigator Database at the National Center for Education Statistics and conducted a search for the term “Bachelor’s in Psychology degree with an undergraduate enrollment of under 10,000.” We were given an initial pool of more than 100 schools that matched this search term. We narrowed down the list into the top 20 most innovative programs offered by small schools based on the following methodology.

Average Annual Cost of Attendance

Although pursuing a high-quality program is of the utmost importance, one of the first things undergraduate students ask is, “How much is this program going to cost me?” Before you spend a great deal of time compiling this information, you should know that we have done the hard work for you. We used the College Navigator database and each school’s website to gather the most up-to-date tuition information and awarded points based on the following cost ranges.

Points:
Under $20,000: 3 points
$20,001 to $39,999: 2 points
$40,000 ore more: 1 point

College Ranking

It can be overwhelming wading through all of the “best of” and “top” program lists and rankings put out every year. The major source of these rankings, U.S. News & World Report, is known for recognizing areas such as “Best National University,” “Best National Liberal Arts College,” and “Best Regional University.” We took these ranking lists as well as lists for the schools considered to be the best value and the most innovative and awarded points according to the following categories.

Points:
U.S. News & World Report: Most Innovative College Ranking:
Top 10: 3 points
Top 25: 2 points
Top 50: 1 point

U.S. News & World Report: Best National University, Best National Liberal Arts College Ranking:
Top 10: 4 points
Top 25: 3 points
Top 50: 2 point
Top 100: 1 point

U.S. News & World Report: Best Regional University, Best Value School, Top Public School Ranking:
Top 25: 3 points
Top 50: 2 points
Top 100: 1 point

Undergraduate Enrollment:

There are certain merits to larger institutions, including greater opportunities, more degree offerings, and a greater selection of specialization areas. However, there are many pros to pursuing a degree from a smaller college. Students can form closer relationships with faculty members and their peers as they receive more individualized attention and the opportunity to study specific topics in-depth. We awarded the most points to the schools with the lowest undergraduate enrollment.

Points:
5,000 or fewer: 3 points
5,001 to 8,499: 2 points
8,500 to 10,000: 1 point

Accreditation

Accreditation is a strong indicator that a program and institution are of high academic quality. Accreditation, earned via a comprehensive peer review process, lets prospective students, current students, and the public know that any given school has met and is expected to continue to meet standards set forth by the accrediting organization. For the purpose of this ranking, we did not look at programmatic accreditation; rather, we focused on national and regional accreditation.

Points:
Each Accreditation: 1 point

Ranking Top 20 Graduate Degree Programs in Forensic Psychology

20. Beloit College

Beloit, Wisconsin

Points: 7
Program Website

Founded in 1846, Beloit College is a private liberal arts college. It’s the oldest continuously operated college in the state. Beloit’s Department of Psychology aims to help students in learning to think like professional psychologists. Students are required to consider the theoretical viewpoints of the field while generating and evaluating empirical evidence. Undergraduates also participate in a robust academic program that includes:

• student-faculty research
• internships
• traditional coursework

The program helps students apply psychological principles to everyday life and to contribute to the knowledge base of the field.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $50,040
Enrollment: 1,402
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#68 in Best Value Schools
#68 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges
Accreditations:
HLC

19. Goucher College

Baltimore, Maryland

Points: 8
Program Website

Goucher College is a private liberal arts college. It enrolls approximately 700 graduates and 1,450 undergraduates in 33 majors and six interdisciplinary fields. The Psychology Department generates a lively, stimulating, supportive, and open academic culture. The curriculum includes traditional learning in the classroom as well as experiential learning in the form of:

• self-directed exploration
• collaborative construction of knowledge
• active involvement in research
• community engagement

Faculty members have a strong passion for the field, creating an atmosphere of active, close mentoring both outside and inside the classroom.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $44,300
Enrollment: 1,538
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#12 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
#116 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges
Accreditations:
MSCHE

18. Mercer University

Macon, Georgia

Points: 9
Program Website

Mercer University is the oldest private university in the state and enrolls more than 8,600 students in 12 schools and colleges. Macon is considered an innovator in terms of training undergraduate psychology students. The school’s Psychology Department offers a curriculum that provides students with a strong background in the philosophical, theoretical, and empirical features of the field. It provides them the opportunity to advance their skills in:

• research
• computer use
• speaking
• writing
• critical thinking

Undergraduates may choose to complete an original, independent research project as part of the undergraduate requirements. Each faculty member oversees an active research group in which students are encouraged to participate. Advanced students may choose to participate in experiential learning in applied areas by pursuing field placements in the surrounding communities.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $36,894
Enrollment: 4,747
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#35 in Best Value Schools
#140 (tie) in National Universities
Accreditations:
SACSCOC

17. Berea College

Berea, Kentucky

Points: 10
Program Website

Founded in 1855, Berea College is distinctive among post-secondary institutions for being the first college in the southern U.S. to be racially integrated and coeducational. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Berea learn about the various areas of practice and study in the field of psychology. Throughout the undergraduate curriculum, students learn how to help others:

• grow in psychological health
• how to teach at universities and colleges
• how to conduct research on the causes of behavior in animals and humans
• how to use psychological principles to solve problems in applied settings.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $25,760
Enrollment: 1,670
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#3 in Most Innovative Schools
#61 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges
Accreditations:
SACSCOC

16. Bard College

Annandale-on-Hudson, New York

Points: 11
Program Website

Bard College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1860. It operates a network of more than 35 affiliated centers, institutes, and programs. Bard’s undergraduate program in psychology provides students with the opportunity to learn how the scientific methods and perspectives of psychology can affect:

• human behavior
• emotions
• thoughts

The program uses a multi-level approach to answering questions. It engages students in integrative critical thinking and provides hands-on learning opportunities. Students study foundational subfields such as:

• neuroscience
• abnormal psychology
• developmental psychology
• cognitive psychology
• social psychology

The curriculum covers many analytical and language approaches of the field. Graduates are prepared for a number of related career pursuits as well as graduate study in the field.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $25,760
Enrollment: 1,938
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#4 in Most Innovative Schools
#56 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges
#57 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
MSACS

15. Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Points: 12
Program Website

Franklin and Marshall College is a private liberal arts college that enrolls 2,300 full-time students and employs 175 full-time faculty members. The psychology major at F&M is widely recognized for its strong focus on empirical research and for its academic excellence.

Since psychologists study behavior and the mind in animals and humans, students are involved in meaningful research opportunities beginning in the freshman year. Undergraduates also benefit from outstanding resources and facilities such as specialized laboratories. Students may choose to investigate areas in which they have a close professional interest such as:

• the nature of interpersonal relationships
• the development of communication and language in infants
• artificial intelligence
• perceptual problems in night-driving.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $56,550
Enrollment: 2,283
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#6 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
#28 in Best Value Schools
#36 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges
Accreditations:
MSCHE

14. Colorado College

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Points: 12
Program Website

Founded in 1874, Colorado College enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduates and offers more than 40 majors and more than 30 minors. The Department of Psychology is dedicated to providing an academic program that helps students develop the knowledge and skills to prepare them for professional work and graduate studies. Students are exposed to the broad field of academic psychology. The program highlights an empirical understanding of human and animal behavior as well as scientific research literature.

Students learn about the ethical responsibility that is required in the field. Students also gather a knowledge base in the core areas of psychology with an in-depth investigation in advanced-study courses.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $55,470
Enrollment: 2,107
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#2 in Most Innovative Schools
#27 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges
#36 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
HLC

13. Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

Points: 13
Program Website

Duke University is a private research university that enrolls nearly 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year. The Department of Psychology & Neuroscience in Duke’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The undergraduate program provides students with an interactive, dynamic learning experience that results in a strong background in psychology as a science. Training is provided in five areas, including:

• social psychology
• developmental psychology
• biological bases of behavior
• abnormal/health psychology
• cognitive psychology/cognitive neuroscience

Students benefit from one-on-one independent study experiences and lectures in small-group formats.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $55,960
Enrollment: 6,696
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#8 (tie) in National Universities
#13 in Best Value Schools
#16 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
Accreditations:
SACSCOC

12. Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Points: 13
Program Website

Established in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the country and one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Harvard’s Department of Psychology offers nationally recognized psychology programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology can choose from three tracks. The general track is chosen by 70 percent of students. It covers the broad range of topics in the field, and affords the greatest flexibility.

The cognitive science track is chosen by five percent of students and includes coursework in areas such as:

• computer science
• human evolutionary biology
• philosophy
• linguistics

The cognitive neuroscience and evolutionary psychology track is chosen by 25 percent of students and combines coursework from the life sciences as well as psychology.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $50,420
Enrollment: 9,965
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#2 in National Universities
#2 in Best Value Schools
#14 in Most Innovative Schools
Accreditations:
NECHE

11. Rollins College

Winter Park, Florida

Points: 13
Program Website

The Department of Psychology at Rollins uses the content and methods of psychological science to teach students to:

• understand the reasons behind behavior
• respect human diversity
• become competent critical decision-makers
• fulfill their responsibilities

The Department offers a psychology major and minor through both the Hamilton Holt Evening School and the College of Liberal Arts. Areas of study include:

• statistics and research methods
• perspectives in psychology
• cognitive neuroscience
• behavioral psychology
• social psychology
• developmental psychology

It has an emphasis on laboratory courses and experiential learning. The psychology major provides students with the education they need to continue their studies in graduate school or join the workforce after graduation.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $49,760
Enrollment: 2,612
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#2 in Regional Universities South
#11 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
#19 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
SACSCOC

10. Elon University

Elon, North Carolina

Points: 13
Program Website

Founded in 1889, Elon University is a private liberal arts university. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to more than 6,000 students each year. Elon’s Department of Psychology is the school’s largest liberal arts major. The undergraduate program features an emphasis on psychology as an applied, basic science. The department is large enough to offer a range of research opportunities, internships, and courses normally associated with a bigger university. However, it’s small enough to provide close personal mentoring.

The psychology program offers a grounding in research methodology as well as courses in these psychology areas:

• educational
• cross-cultural
• abnormal
• social
• developmental
• cognitive

Other areas of study include:

• animal behavior
• behavior neuroscience
• psychology of leadership.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $35,319
Enrollment: 6,045
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#1 in Regional Universities South
#1 in Most Innovative Schools
#30 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
SACSCOC

9. Grinnell College

Grinnell, Iowa

Points: 14
Program Website

Grinnell College was founded in 1846. It’s a small private liberal arts college known for its:

• innovative pedagogy
• rigorous academics
• commitment to social justice

The Department of Psychology offers an undergraduate degree in psychology that highlights the behavior of biological organisms in their social habitats. All students must complete their introductory courses in a specific order, including classes in:

• research methods
• statistics
• general psychology

Electives allow students to move toward advanced courses for in-depth study. They may also provide the basis for individual research projects. The department also encourages undergraduates to pursue experiential learning via internships. Graduates are prepared for careers in:

• law
• medicine
• clinical work
• scientific research
• teaching.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $52,392
Enrollment: 1,712
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#6 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
#11 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges
#12 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
HLC

8. Stanford University

Stanford, California

Points: 14
Program Website

One of the top universities in the world Stanford University is a private university. It’s known for its proximity to Silicon Valley and its academic strength. Stanford’s Department of Psychology offers an undergraduate major in psychology that consists of studies in:

• cognitive neuroscience
• learning and memory
• perception psychology
• abnormal psychology
• clinical psychology
• personality psychology
• cultural psychology
• social psychology
• developmental psychology

Students round out the program with electives. They may choose to count up to 10 units of practica, independent study, and research toward the psychology major. Undergraduates may also choose to specialize in one of four areas, including:

• neuroscience
• cognitive sciences
• health and development
• mind, culture, and society.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $51,354
Enrollment: 7,064
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#5 in Best Value Schools
#5 in Most Innovative Schools
#7 in National Universities
Accreditations:
WSCUC

7. Butler University

Indianapolis, Indiana

Points: 14
Program Website

Named after founder Ovid Butler and founded in 1855, Butler University is a private university. It has more than 60 major academic fields of study across six colleges. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers an undergraduate degree in psychology. Students in this program get a thorough understanding of psychological science through experiential learning training in the classroom.

The curriculum consists of a general overview of the basic methods and topics in psychology. Students will later have the opportunity to advance to a more thorough exploration of specific content areas. Graduates are prepared for further studies in the field or for careers in:

• public service
• medical
• education
• government
• business.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $41,120
Enrollment: 4,293
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#1 in Most Innovative Schools
#1 (tie) in Regional Universities Midwest
#21 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
HLC

6. Amherst College

Amherst, Massachusetts

Points: 15
Program Website

Founded in 1821 as a men’s college, Amherst College is now a coeducational, private liberal arts college. In the school’s Department of Psychology, Amherst faculty approach the field from different angles to better understand human experience and behavior. The program follows an interdisciplinary approach. It exposes students to the different methods of psychological research that reveal the complex web of interacting influences affecting behaviors.

Students take courses in:

• the psychology of globalization
• the psychology of play
• close relationships

The Department provides numerous laboratories in which students may investigate the different aspects of psychology. These range from behavioral neuroscience and physiological psychology to cognitive psychology and more.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $56,426
Enrollment: 1,836
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#2 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
#3 in Best Value Schools
#8 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
Accreditations:
NECHE

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Points: 15
Program Website

Commonly referred to as MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university. It was founded in 1861 in response to the increasing industrialization in the U.S. MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences offers an undergraduate degree in psychology. The program is organized into a tier system. Courses build on the expertise students gained in the preceding level.

The first year consists of an introduction to:

• computation
• cognitive science
• neuroscience

There’s  an emphasis on classes that further develop students’ skills in statistics and programming. Students also have the opportunity to focus on individual interest areas as they move through the program.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $56,426
Enrollment: 4,547
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#3 in Best Value Schools
#3 in Most Innovative Schools
#3 (tie) in National Universities
Accreditations:
NECHE

4. Davidson College

Davidson, North Carolina

Points: 15
Program Website

Davidson College is a small private liberal arts college. It enrolls about 2,000 students from 40 countries and 47 states. Davidson’s Psychology Department offers a bachelor’s in psychology degree that consists of courses in:

• the social sciences
• natural sciences
• humanities

Students benefit from numerous research opportunities and field experiences to gain hands-on instruction in real-world settings. The broad curriculum also integrates the study of animal and human behavior with the empirical scientific method. Students learn how cognitive and physiological processes affect behavior. Graduates are prepared for careers directly after graduation or to pursue graduate studies at the master’s or doctoral levels.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $51,447
Enrollment: 1,810
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#5 in Most Innovative Schools
#8 in Best Value Schools
#10 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
Accreditations:
SACSCOC

3. Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska

Points: 15
Program Website

Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, Creighton University is a private, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university. Creighton’s Department of Psychological Science offers an undergraduate psychology degree. The program provides insight into the complete range of human emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. Students can pursue independent research and/or internship courses in which they learn valuable skills outside of the traditional classroom.

Graduates often pursue master’s or doctoral training in specific areas that they were introduced to in the undergraduate program. These areas of psychology include:

• industrial/organizational
• physiological
• social
• forensic
• developmental
• cognitive
• educational/school
• counseling/clinical

Psychology majors may also choose to minor in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, a relevant minor for those interested in the biological sciences.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $39,916
Enrollment: 4,255
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#1 (tie) in Regional Universities Midwest
#2 in Most Innovative Schools
#4 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
HLC

2. Evergreen State College

Olympia, Washington

Points: 15
Program Website

Founded in 1967, Evergreen State College is a public liberal arts college. It offers a non-traditional undergraduate curriculum in which students can design their own paths of study. The school’s undergraduate program in psychology takes an interdisciplinary approach to the field. This includes different methods to build understanding of the biological, psychological, and social elements that affect human behavior and health.

Students may choose an area of emphasis in which to focus their degree. Graduates are prepared in both practice and theory for graduate work and study in:

• psychological research
• human and social services
• clinical psychology.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $7,944
Enrollment: 3,610
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#2 in Most Innovative Schools
#7 (tie) in Top Public Schools
#35 (tie) in Regional Universities West
Accreditations:
NWCCU

1. Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri

Points: 18
Program Website

Truman State University is a public sciences and liberal arts university. It enrolls 6,000 undergraduate and 300 graduate students. Psychology majorsinvestigate mental processes and behavior through a combination of experiential opportunities outside the classroom and rigorous coursework. B.S. majors become involved in all aspects of research, including:

• forming a hypothesis
• designing the study
• collecting and evaluating data

They present their findings at national, regional, and local conferences. Research students also have access to numerous study abroad and internship opportunities.

B.A. students are not as exposed to research as their B.S. counterparts as the B.A. curriculum is more generalized and focused on the psychology field  as a whole. They still discover the tenets of the scientific method. Ultimately, students pursuing one of these innovative programs benefit from more valuable classroom and real-world experiences.

Degree Options:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $7,656
Enrollment: 5,898
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#1 in Top Public Schools
#2 in Best Value Schools
#6 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
#9 in Regional Universities Midwest
Accreditations:
HLC

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Career Options for a Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree?

If you want to study human behavior, master topics in the sciences and humanities, and take challenging classes, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from a small school in the U.S. is a great option. Psychology undergraduates study human behavior and why people act the way they do. A degree in this field can prepare graduates for careers in:

• counseling
• social work
• medicine
• sales
• business
• therapy

Students may pursue graduate work for more specialized training, or they may take on an entry-level job immediately after graduation. The following are several popular career options for those with a bachelor’s degree in psychology:

• Writer
• Teacher
• Social Service Specialist
• Sales Representative
• Rehabilitation Specialist
• Probation and Parole Officer
• Psychiatric Technician
• Market Researcher
• Laboratory Assistant
• Child Care Worker
• Case Manager
• Career Counselor
• Advertising Agent

To work as a psychologist, a doctorate or master’s is required. However, a bachelor’s in psychology degree can still function as a valuable starting point for the above career paths.

How Much Can You Earn in This Field?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychologists reported a median annual pay of $77,030 per year in May 2017. The highest 10 percent of psychologists reported earnings of more than $124,520, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,330. The highest-paid psychologists during the same year included industrial-organizational psychologists and clinical, counseling, and school psychologists.

ZipRecruiter indicates that, as of January 2019, the average annual pay for someone with a bachelor’s in psychology degree is $46,476 per year. While annual salaries for psychologists range from $21,000 to $98,000 per year or more, the majority of salaries for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology range from $33,500 to $52,   000 across the U.S. Although there may be fewer opportunities for advancement based on skills, graduates may enjoy increased pay based on location and years of experience.

The BLS also reports that, in May 2017, the median annual wages for psychologists in the top industries in which they were employed were:

• State, local, and private elementary and secondary schools: $74,470
• Ambulatory healthcare services: $77,030
• State, local, and private hospitals: $83,910
• Government: $94,910

A number of factors influence salary earnings for psychologists such as:

• specialty practice area
• location
• experience
• level of education

Although graduates may seek entry-level positions with only a bachelor’s degree, the highest salaries are reserved for those with licensure, certification, and doctoral degrees such as:

• clinical
• counseling
• research psychologists.

What Courses Will You Take in a Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree Program?

If you are just beginning your psychology degree, you can expect to take a number of courses that focus on the science of human behavior. Your goal is to fulfill the course requirements of your chosen program’s department.  You will also develop:

• research competence
• critical thinking skills
• an in-depth knowledge of psychology

The following are some of the most important courses you will find in an undergraduate psychology program:

• Personality Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Physiological Psychology
• Experimental Psychology
• Statistics
• History of Psychology
• General Psychology

Should You Get a Bachelor’s in Psychology?

Do you like learning about abnormal behavior, neurology, developmental processes, and human cognition? If so,  you may want to consider a bachelor’s degree in psychology. A psychology degree teaches students the skills they need to work with a diverse population, including:

• business
• counseling
• sales
• clinical settings

The combination of courses in humanities and science gives undergraduates a comprehensive education that they can then apply to many career paths.

A number of universities and colleges offer on-campus and online programs, each suited to a different type of student. On-campus programs benefit those looking to enter college immediately after graduating high school, seeking a traditional collegiate experience. On-campus programs, particularly at smaller schools, allow students more opportunities to develop personal relationships with:

• potential employers
• local professionals
• professors

On the other hand, online bachelor’s programs in psychology typically appeal to students with families and working professionals.

Earning a psychology degree from an accredited school can also help when it comes to finding employment. Established institutions often carry reputations in the psychology community. Many universities, large and small, offer:

• alumni networking opportunities
• internships
• job placement assistance

If you aren’t sure of your career path, having access to additional resources and a variety of courses may help you narrow down the topics that interest you. We hope that our list of the most innovative psychology degree programs at small colleges in the U.S. will be of some help.

By OPD Staff