One of the best ways to begin a career as a professional psychologist is to pursue one of the country’s top graduate programs in psychology in a top graduate school. Psychologists are skilled clinicians. Between people in social settings, they investigate:
- interactions
- behaviors
- emotions
- cognitions
Some psychologists strive to help clients better understand their:
- emotions
- feelings
- thoughts
Others may work in research settings, conducting studies, collecting data, and analyzing the results.
Some of the following programs act as preparation for further graduate education leading to a doctoral degree. Others, known as terminal degrees, allow students to enter the job market immediately after earning the master’s degree. Whether you are looking to further your education immediately after high school or you are a mid-career professional considering switching industries, these top psychology graduate programs can help you meet your educational and professional goals.
Methodology
Regardless of whether you are seeking a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology, navigating through the waters of the hundreds of graduate programs in psychology can be overwhelming, stressful, and time-consuming. For this reason, we’ve developed a set of ranking factors by which we can determine the top programs in this field. After conducting a search for the term “top graduate degree programs in psychology” in the College Navigator Tool at the National Center for Education Statistics, we narrowed down the initial pool of 30 schools into the top 10 programs based on the following ranking methodology for the best grad schools in psychology.
Average Annual Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance and quality of the program are two of the most-considered factors to students looking into graduate programs. For the purpose of this ranking, we obtained tuition information from the College Navigator database and awarded schools points based on the following cost ranges. The more affordable the program, the more points it earned.
Points:
Under $20,000: 3 points
$20,001 to $29,999: 2 points
$30,000 or more: 1 point
College Ranking
Prospective students should also keep in mind how the schools they are considering compare to others across the country. We have factored in national psychology PhD rankings based on how schools stack up in terms of their graduate programs and national ranking as well as whether they are considered a “best value” or “top public school.”
Points:
U.S. News & World Report: Best Graduate Program in Psychology Score:
Top 10: 4 points
Top 25: 3 points
Top 50: 2 points
Top 100: 1 point
U.S. News & World Report: Best National School Ranking:
Top 25: 5 points
Top 50: 3 points
Top 100: 2 point
Top 150: 1 point
U.S. News & World Report: Best Value School, Top Public School Ranking:
Top 25: 3 points
Top 50: 2 points
Top 100: 1 point
Accreditation
Finally, accreditation is a way of indicating the quality of a program as well as the school providing it. All of the following universities and colleges hold either regional or national accreditation. Also, if a school offers a degree that is recognized by a programmatic accrediting agency such as the American Psychology Association (APA), it earns additional points.
Points:
American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation: 3 points
Regional accreditation: 1 point
Here are the best psychology graduate programs.
Ranking Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Psychology
10. University of Illinois
Champaign, Illinois
Points: 18
Program Website
The University of Illinois was founded in 1867 as a land-grant institution. It is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, Illinois. The school’s Department of Psychology offers both master’s- and doctoral-level degrees. The Department has nine divisions that encompass a number of specialty areas in the field of psychology, including:
- visual cognition and human performance
- cognitive neuroscience
- behavioral neuroscience
- industrial-organizational psychology
- social-personality psychology
- quantitative psychology
- developmental psychology
- cognitive psychology
- clinical/community psychology
Throughout the programs, students focus on:
- independent research
- collaboration
- scholarship
Regardless of a student’s individual goals and interests, he or she will find what they need through the school’s M.S., M.A., or Ph.D. degrees in psychology.
Degree Options:
Master of Arts in Psychology
Master of Science in Psychology
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Average Program Cost: Tuition Paid by University
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#7 in Psychology
#13 (tie) in Top Public Schools
#46 (tie) in National Universities
#111 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
APA
HLC
9. University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Points: 19
Program Website
The University of North Carolina is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It’s the flagship campus of the 17-institution University of North Carolina System. UNC offers a Ph.D. program in Psychology that provides students with the judgment, skills, and knowledge they need to become active professionals in academic and research settings. UNC offers training in six subfields, including:
- social psychology
- quantitative psychology
- developmental psychology
- cognitive psychology
- clinical psychology
- behavioral and integrative neuroscience
Those who pursue the clinical psychology path will also develop the skills required to become licensed clinical psychologists in:
- hospitals
- private practices
- other mental health settings.
Degree Options:
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $12,556
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#5 (tie) in Top Public Schools
#8 in Best Value Schools
#13 (tie) in Psychology
#30 (tie) in National Universities
Accreditations:
APA
SACSCOC
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Points: 19
Program Website
The University of Pennsylvania, also known simply Penn, is a private Ivy League research university in West Philadelphia’s University City section. Within the Penn College of Arts and Sciences, students may pursue a psychology graduate program that emphasizes research achievement and scholarship. The first year is devoted to different disciplines of psychology and a concentrated research experience. Research is continued throughout the doctoral program and supplemented by:
- teaching
- participation in seminars
- intellectual give-and-take
Students have the opportunity to define their own areas of study in this graduate school program. While the program is not divided into formal specializations, faculty have research interests in both clinical, positive, and social psychology and brain, cognitive, and decision science.
Degree Options:
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Average Program Cost: Tuition Paid by University
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#8 (tie) in National Universities
#8 (tie) in Psychology
#12 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
APA
MSCHE
7. Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
Points: 19
Program Website
Princeton University was founded in Elizabeth in 1746 as the College of New Jersey. Princeton is a private Ivy League research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton’s Department of Psychology offers a doctoral program that emphasizes training in the areas of teaching and research in psychology.
Graduate students may choose a specialization in an area such as:
- physiological psychology
- personality and social psychology
- perception and cognition
- cognitive neuroscience
- systems neuroscience
Once admitted, all doctoral students must assist in teaching for a minimum of three class hours as part of the graduate program. The curriculum assumes that first-year students have earned an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field.
Degree Options:
Doctor of Philosophy
Average Program Cost: Tuition Paid by University
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#1 in National Universities
#1 in Best Value Schools
#8 (tie) in Psychology
Accreditations:
APA
MSCHE
6. Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
Points: 19
Program Website
Yale University was founded in 1701. It is located in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale University is a private Ivy League research university. It is a top graduate school. It’s the third-oldest institution of higher learning in the country. The goal of the doctoral program in psychology is to train students to become researchers in applied and academic settings. The school enrolls approximately 15 new Ph.D. students each year in areas of study such as:
- social/personality psychology
- neuroscience
- developmental psychology
- cognitive psychology
- clinical psychology
Although students are assigned a “home” lab, they may collaborate across the areas of study. Students are encouraged to appreciate the different theoretical and historical contexts from which the field has evolved.
Degree Options:
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Average Program Cost: Tuition Paid by University
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#3 (tie) in National Universities
#3 (tie) in Psychology
#4 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
APA
NEASC
5. University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Points: 19
Program Website
The University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was founded in 1817. The University of Michigan is the oldest university in the state. The University of Michigan’s Psychology Department offers a Ph.D. program in six areas of psychology, including:
- social psychology
- personality and social contexts
- developmental psychology
- cognition and cognitive neuroscience
- clinical science
- biopsychology
In addition, students may pursue one of three joint programs of study such as:
- women’s studies and psychology
- social work and psychology
- education and psychology
Graduates are prepared for careers in both applied and academic settings for positions in:
- schools
- clinics
- research organizations
- industrial plants and unions
- governmental agencies
- colleges and universities.
Degree Options:
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Average Program Cost: Tuition Paid by University
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#3 (tie) in Psychology
#4 in Top Public Schools
#27 (tie) in National Universities
#47 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
APA
HLC
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Points: 19
Program Website
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It enrolls more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Harvard’s Department of Psychology offers a Ph.D. program that is organized into four areas of study:
- social psychology
- developmental psychology
- clinical science
- cognition, brain, and behavior
In addition to completing coursework, students may benefit from ongoing research seminars and numerous opportunities to become involved in research with faculty members. Doctoral students may pursue one of two tracks:
- the Clinical Science path
- the Common Curriculum path, which includes:
- perception
- behavioral neuroscience
- cognitive neuroscience
- cognitive psychology
- social psychology.
Degree Options:
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Average Program Cost: Tuition Paid by University
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#2 in National Universities
#2 in Best Value Schools
#3 (tie) in Psychology
Accreditations:
APA
NEASC
3. Stanford University
Stanford, California
Points: 19
Program Website
Stanford University in Stanford, California is known for its academic strength and wealth. It often ranks as one of the top universities in the world. Stanford’s Department of Psychology offers a doctoral degree in psychology that consists of five areas of study:
- social psychology
- affective science
- neuroscience
- developmental psychology
- cognitive psychology
Students looking for programs in parapsychology or in organizational, industrial, counseling, or clinical psychology would be best-served by another institution. Although Stanford does not provide a terminal master’s degree in psychology, doctoral students may earn a co-terminal master’s while they navigate and complete the doctoral program.
Degree Options:
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Average Program Cost: Tuition Paid by University
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#1 (tie) in Psychology
#5 in Best Value Schools
#7 in National Universities
Accreditations:
APA
WASC
2. University of California – Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Points: 20
Program Website
Founded in 1868, the University of California Berkeley is a public research university. It’s the flagship institution of the 10-institution University of California System, educating more than 40,000 students each year. UC Berkeley’s Psychology Department offers a doctoral program designed to produce scholar-researchers. Faculty members in the Department are categorized into five areas of study and practice:
- clinical science
- behavioral neuroscience
- social-personality psychology and cognition
- brain and behavior
- change, plasticity, and development
Although core requirements vary slightly, they all involve a combination of seminars, core courses, and supervised independent research.
Degree Options:
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $14,160
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#1 (tie) in Psychology
#2 in Top Public Schools
#22 (tie) in National Universities
#112 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
APA
WASC
1. University of California – Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Points: 20
Program Website
Offering more than 330 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the University of California Los Angeles is the second-oldest undergraduate campus of the 10-campus University of California System. UCLA’s Psychology Department offers graduate Ph.D. training with area emphases in:
- social psychology
- quantitative psychology
- learning and behavior
- health psychology
- developmental psychology
- cognitive psychology
- behavioral neuroscience
There is no separate Psy.D. or M.A. program offered. The curriculum is grounded in a rigorous course of scientific training. Students are encouraged to participate in activities supported by related organized research units. Graduates are prepared to function as:
- university and college instructors
- research psychologists
- researchers.
Degree Options:
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Average Program Cost: $13,036
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#1 in Top Public Schools
#3 (tie) in Psychology
#19 (tie) in National Universities
#85 in Best Value Schools
Accreditations:
APA
WASC
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for a Graduate Degree in Psychology?
Students who are considering pursuing psychology are often advised early-on that earning a graduate degree is a good idea and, in some cases, a basic requirement to work in their chosen field. In most cases, a graduate degree in psychology can open the door to a much wider range of career opportunities. These areas include:
- mental health services
- social services
- educational settings
- school psychology
- local government
- state government
- federal government
Some job titles in these areas include:
- Counselor
- Clinical Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Educational Psychologist
- School Psychologist
- School Counselor
- Psychosocial Specialist
- Vocational Rehabilitation Provider
- Parole Officer
- Social Service Manager
- Rehabilitation Counselor
In addition, graduates with a degree in psychology may pursue an applied psychology career. In this field, applied psychologists utilize their knowledge of research methods and psychology to solve real-world problems and improve people’s lives. Individuals working in these fields may begin their careers with a master’s degree, but positions tend to be more plentiful with a doctorate. Some job titles in the area of applied psychology include:
- Human Factors Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
As you can see, career options with a graduate degree in psychology are vast and incredibly diverse. The best way to determine your path is to evaluate your own interests, needs, and professional goals.
How Much Can You Earn in This Field?
There is a tremendous diversity among psychology professions, and yearly earnings are just as varied. In a struggling economy, many prospective students have expressed interest in pursuing some of the highest-paying careers in psychology. These professions average from $60,000 to $250,000 per year, with sports psychology being one of the lower-paying ones and psychiatry ranking on the higher end. While a number of careers report a higher-than-average yearly salary, it is important to remember that actual income depends on several factors, including:
- years of experience
- educational background
- sector of employment
- geographic location
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following are the top-paying professions in the field of psychology.
- Psychiatrist: $249,760 per year
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: $113,320
- Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologist: $82,770
The BLS does not keep track of every specialization, other high-paying areas in the field of psychology include:
- neuropsychology
- engineering psychology
- forensic psychology
What is the Difference Between a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Psychology?
Although some students may enter the field of psychology with only a bachelor’s degree, to become a practicing psychologist, students need to have a master’s degree. For those looking to climb the ladder even higher, a doctorate will help them get there. Both degrees are considered “graduate studies.” The master’s degree typically requires two to three years of study, and students can choose from a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. If you are planning to focus on the applied side of psychology, you may also need to complete an internship or prepare a thesis prior to earning your master’s.
In terms of the doctorate, students may choose from either a Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy degree. The Ph.D. is more geared toward research, while the Psy.D. is more focused on the clinical and practical aspects of the field. Depending on a student’s schedule and the specific program, a Ph.D. can take between four and eight years to complete. Most doctoral programs require several years of coursework, research, and a final doctoral dissertation. Others require students to complete a one-year internship which formally marks the end of the program.
Is Accreditation Important in a Graduate Psychology Degree?
Accreditation is a type of recognition that a degree program or school earns by meeting a specific set of criteria. It is an integral component of the U.S. higher education system as it is one of the few mechanisms by which independent organizations can evaluate an institution or program and ensure that students are receiving a high-quality education.
Each specialized, regional, or national accreditation board has its own standards to evaluate schools in order to grant accreditation. In general, however, a program must provide students with appropriate resources through its faculty members and libraries. It must cover certain topics in its curriculum, and potentially provide certain non-academic services
The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation as being the main accrediting agency for graduate degrees in psychology in the U.S. However, there are other accrediting agencies that provide institutional accreditation to schools that offer psychology programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
It’s critical for students to make that the schools in which they are interested are accredited. Accreditation ensures students are receiving a high-quality education. Only accredited schools are entitled to use federal money. In other words, only accredited universities and colleges can provide students with:
- federal grants
- work-study programs
- federal student loans
Many post-secondary students depend on these resources to further their education. It is also important for students who are looking to pursue graduate studies. Accreditation ensures their previously earned credits will transfer. Finally, most, if not all, employers require applicants to show evidence of a degree earned from an accredited U.S. college or university.
As competition in the field increases, it is more important than ever for students to choose a graduate degree in psychology that provides them with an edge in the workforce. Regardless of whether you are pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree for a career in academia, research, or applied psychology, it may be in your best interest to check out one of the above top graduate degree programs in psychology.
This concludes our ranking of the Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Psychology.