2020 Best Online Colleges Badge

2020 Best Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs

By the GradReports team | Updated 2/21/2020

This list highlights the best 25 colleges with an online Bachelor's in Psychology, in order of highest median salary for graduates with this major one year after college. The school with the highest median salary for this degree is National University, at $37,300. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin has the lowest median student debt of all 25 schools ranked on the list, at $15,043. Students who graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from one of the top 25 schools had a median starting salary between $31,900 and $37,300.

Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.

Start Your Online College Search:
Salary and debt data reported by the U.S. Department of Education
Salary and debt data reported by the U.S. Department of Education
Rank School Location Annual Tuition Median Debt Median Salary
#1 #1 La Jolla (CA) La Jolla (CA) $13,320 $28,125 $37,300
#2 #2 Odessa (TX) Odessa (TX) $21,474 $15,043 $37,000
#3 #3 Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville (NJ) $37,200 $26,000 $37,000
#4 #4 Boston (MA) Boston (MA) $60,192 $26,500 $36,800
#5 #5 Minneapolis (MN) Minneapolis (MN) $14,328 $28,580 $36,700
#6 #6 Houston (TX) Houston (TX) $17,524 $21,201 $35,000
#7 #7 Adelphi (MD) Adelphi (MD) $12,336 $21,029 $34,900
#8 #8 Longmeadow (MA) (and 1 other) Longmeadow (MA) (and 1 other) $35,781 $25,000 $34,800
#10 #10 Beverly (MA) Beverly (MA) $37,776 $27,000 $34,700
#11 (tie) #11 (tie) Worcester (MA) Worcester (MA) $47,508 $27,000 $34,400
#11 (tie) #11 (tie) Philadelphia (PA) Philadelphia (PA) $49,610 $27,000 $34,400
#13 #13 Bridgeport (CT) Bridgeport (CT) $35,760 $29,168 $34,300
#14 #14 Saint Paul (MN) Saint Paul (MN) $46,616 $24,525 $34,100
#16 #16 Johnson (VT) Johnson (VT) $26,892 $25,000 $33,300
#17 #17 Amherst (MA) Amherst (MA) $38,171 $23,527 $33,200
#18 #18 Lakewood (CO) Lakewood (CO) $37,432 $32,667 $33,100
#19 #19 Bristol (RI) Bristol (RI) $40,962 $27,000 $32,600
#20 #20 Saint Mary of the Woods (IN) Saint Mary of the Woods (IN) $32,700 Not Reported $32,400
#23 #23 Denver (CO) Denver (CO) $26,818 $20,190 $31,900
#24 #24 Bemidji (MN) Bemidji (MN) $10,130 $22,366 $31,900

2020 Best Colleges Highlights

Learn more about the top colleges for a Bachelor's in Psychology degree. You can also read student reviews of each school by clicking on the stars. Although student reviews were not used as a ranking factor in this list, we provide ratings and reviews so students can consider the experience of alumni in their decision-making process.

#1
La Jolla (CA)
Median Salary $37,300
Median Debt $28,125
Annual Tuition $13,320
Graduation Rate 29%

National University's Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is offered through either 100% online or on-campus options to provide a comprehensive core study in psychology. The 180 quarter-unit program runs in four-week classes with monthly starts year round and includes theories and concepts in behavior, cognition, and emotion from multiple disciplines and cultures.

Students are exposed to problem-solving, analysis, and communication through a variety of methods and formats, including narrative, exposition, and APA style, and the use of current technologies for research and communication. Graduates will also learn to apply basic statistical procedures in the course of analysis.

Courses in Biological Psychology, History & Philosophy of Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Global Psychology, and Drugs, Values and Society prepare graduates for careers in personnel, vocational counseling, criminal justice, or journalism, as well as continued education in graduate programs in psychology. Employers include schools, state and federal government, colleges and universities, correctional facilities, and health and rehabilitation agencies.

Visit National University's website.

Median Salary $37,000
Median Debt $15,043
Annual Tuition $21,474
Graduation Rate 40%

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Online degree through University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a completely online program accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and designed to prepare students to become qualified Clinical Psychologists, Forensic Psychiatrists, Market Researchers, Family Therapists, and other mental health professionals. Graduates gain knowledge in theory and empirical data through research topics and fundamental psychological methods as a solid foundation across a variety of careers, including counseling, marketing, real estate, and law enforcement.

The 120-credit program includes courses in Social Psychology, Child/Adolescent Psychology, Physiological Psychology, History and Systems of Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Principles of Learning.

A campus-based BA in Psychology program is also offered through UTPB, with the same academic standards for either program, as well as a Master of Arts in Psychology for those students interested in pursuing additional education and credentials.

Visit the University of Texas of the Permian Basin's website.

#3
Lawrenceville (NJ)
Median Salary $37,000
Median Debt $26,000
Annual Tuition $37,200
Graduation Rate 67%

A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree through Rider University enables students to develop a strong foundation in psychology principles and critical-thinking skills in a student-first environment with small classes and support services. Flexible online learning provides working professionals with a chance to earn a degree without disrupting their schedules, while still benefiting from the one-on-one teaching that distinguishes Rider University's academic standard.

Graduates are prepared for new careers in fields like social work and counseling, or primed for new opportunities in their existing fields with theory and practices of understanding human behavior to aid in analysis and problem-solving. Whether in a new career or in an existing one, graduates are able to communicate and collaborate more effectively with a better understanding of human behavior.

The program can be completed fully online in 121 credit hours through a focused curriculum that includes courses in Cognitive Development, Drugs and Human Behavior, Positive Psychology, Developmental Psychopathology, Cyberpsychology, and Death, Dying and Suicide.

Visit Rider University's website.

#4
Boston (MA)
Median Salary $36,800
Median Debt $26,500
Annual Tuition $60,192
Graduation Rate 91%

Students learn fundamental skills in social and abnormal psychology, sensory function, memory, and human development through the BS in Psychology program at Northeastern University. The program can be completed entirely online in 120 semester hours, including major-required courses in Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Cognition and Language, Development across the Life Span, Research in Psychology, and a capstone project.

Faculty are experienced professionals in their field, and they provide real-world, industry-relevant experience and knowledge of current practices and standards. Students may take advantage of this expertise through online, on-ground, or hybrid learning methods to customize their learning to best match their learning style.

The BS in Psychology program emphasizes professional development through its Experiential Network (XN) that allows students to pair with a sponsoring organization for a six-week project. Additionally, students are able to take advantage of full-time co-op positions to receive direct job learning in their field – including marketing and scientific research, counseling, management, social work, advertising, and labor relations.

Visit Northeastern University's website.

#5
Minneapolis (MN)
Median Salary $36,700
Median Debt $28,580
Annual Tuition $14,328
Graduation Rate N/A

Capella University's online Bachelor of Science in Psychology program includes both General and Applied Behavior Analysis concentrations through fully-online study. The program is 180 total credits and can be tailored to be more structured (GuidedPath) or self-directed (FlexPath) without sacrificing instruction quality.

The Applied Behavior Analysis concentration meets standards set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and prepares graduates for behavior assessment and data analysis to properly develop solutions and interventions for those suffering from intellectual disabilities. Courses include Applied Behavior Analysis Assessment, Developing Psychology Thinking, and Capstone courses in Behavior Analysis.

Capella's General Psychology concentration provides a foundation for studying human behavior to prepare for case manager, research assistant, psychiatric technician, and mental health technician careers in settings like hospitals, colleges, and outpatient care centers.

Students interested in learning more about Capella can explore a free FlexPath Trial Course to experience programs firsthand. Capella also offers credit for prior learning, transfer credits from many regionally accredited schools, and employer discounts for those who are eligible.

Visit Capella University's website.