Best Online Psychology Programs
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Should you earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology? The answer could be yes if you’re interested in developing broad skills that you can apply in many fields.
Our rankings list of the best schools for psychology helps you choose an online program for your schedule and academic goals. Explore career options, factors to consider when selecting a school, and what you’ll learn in an online psychology program.
Best Online Psychology Programs
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$28,500
- Out-of-state$28,500
- In-State$18,540
- Out-of-state$18,540
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled4,510
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
- Marion, IN
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$8,453
- Out-of-state$8,453
- In-State$11,083
- Out-of-state$11,083
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled11,410
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Prescott College
- Prescott, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,888
- Out-of-state$30,888
- In-State$21,696
- Out-of-state$21,696
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled993
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Tiffin University
- Tiffin, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$25,710
- Out-of-state$25,710
- In-State$12,600
- Out-of-state$12,600
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled2,926
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
- Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,950
- Out-of-state$29,950
- In-State$12,780
- Out-of-state$12,780
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled1,094
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Buena Vista University
- Storm Lake, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,194
- Out-of-state$35,194
- In-State$9,594
- Out-of-state$9,594
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled1,815
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern Kentucky University
- Richmond, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,266
- Out-of-state$19,338
- In-State$9,900
- Out-of-state$13,950
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled14,980
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Colorado Christian University
- Lakewood, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$23,502
- Out-of-state$23,502
- In-State$13,045
- Out-of-state$13,045
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,587
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Belhaven University
- Jackson, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$25,826
- Out-of-state$25,826
- In-State$10,170
- Out-of-state$10,170
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled4,574
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Brescia University
- Owensboro, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$22,900
- Out-of-state$22,900
- In-State$550
- Out-of-state$550
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate42%
- Students Enrolled1,014
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Upper Iowa University
- Fayette, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,810
- Out-of-state$30,810
- In-State$21,060
- Out-of-state$21,060
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled4,279
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Kentucky State University
- Frankfort, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,700
- Out-of-state$11,550
- In-State$7,560
- Out-of-state$11,550
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled2,171
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
National Louis University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,200
- Out-of-state$13,200
- In-State$11,646
- Out-of-state$11,646
- Retention Rate58%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled7,005
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Western New Mexico University
- Silver City, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,167
- Out-of-state$11,400
- In-State$3,356
- Out-of-state$8,730
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,193
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Concordia University-Wisconsin
- Mequon, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,060
- Out-of-state$30,060
- In-State$11,052
- Out-of-state$11,052
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled5,777
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
Bay Path University
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,081
- Out-of-state$35,081
- In-State$14,670
- Out-of-state$14,670
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled3,324
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
Dominican College of Blauvelt
- Orangeburg, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$28,984
- Out-of-state$28,984
- In-State$17,208
- Out-of-state$17,208
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled1,868
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Utah State University
- Logan, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,549
- Out-of-state$21,087
- In-State$5,996
- Out-of-state$20,327
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled27,810
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Washington State University
- Pullman, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,953
- Out-of-state$24,531
- In-State$11,493
- Out-of-state$25,248
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled31,607
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Washburn University
- Topeka, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,594
- Out-of-state$19,346
- In-State$9,306
- Out-of-state$18,788
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled6,285
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
Did You Know…
Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate majors, with 140,711 bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023.
Careers with an Online Psychology Degree
The best schools for psychology can prepare you for numerous psychology-related careers. The roles described below may require a graduate degree for entry or career advancement, and an online psychology bachelor’s can gain you admission to these programs.
Substance Use Counselors
These counselors help individuals and groups overcome addictions to alcohol and drugs. They evaluate clients and formulate treatment plans, help clients form healthy coping skills, educate clients’ family members, and refer clients to other resources and health professionals. Substance use counselors work in outpatient centers, individual and family services, and health practitioners’ offices.
- Projected New Jobs Between 2023-2033: 85,500
- Median Annual Salary: $53,710
Social and Community Service Managers
These professionals manage organizations, coordinate programs, and supervise staff, such as social workers and counselors, who provide direct services to clients. Their jobs include identifying needed services, evaluating programmatic effectiveness, and securing funding. Workplaces include clinics, community rehabilitation services, hospitals, residential care facilities, and shelters.
- Projected New Jobs Between 2023-2033: 16,400
- Median Annual Salary: $77,030
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work with prison inmates and clients on probation and parole. They assess clients’ progress and determine rehabilitation strategies; testify in court or parole board hearings on behalf of their clients; and connect clients with resources, such as job training and mental health counseling.
- Projected New Jobs Between 2023-2033: 3,200
- Median Annual Salary: $61,800
Human Resources Specialists
HR specialists work with employers to hire staff. They recruit, screen, and interview job applicants. They also handle new employee orientation, compensation and benefit details, and staff training. Work environments include employment services; professional, scientific, and technical services; and healthcare and social assistance employers.
- Projected New Jobs Between 2023-2033: 74,200
- Median Annual Salary: $67,650
Training and Development Specialists
These specialists focus on staff training and development. Their methods include consulting with managers, surveying employers, and evaluating training programs. They design employee manuals, create online learning modules, and select outside training materials. Training and development specialists work in educational services and support various industries. They often travel to training locations.
- Projected New Jobs Between 2023-2033: 48,500
- Median Annual Salary: $64,340
Public Relations Specialist
PR specialists work for advertising and public relations firms, schools, and professional associations to create positive public images. They write press releases and social media content, draft speeches for executive staff, and evaluate public opinion of their organizational clients.
- Projected New Jobs Between 2023-2033: 19,200
- Median Annual Salary: $66,750
What to Look for in an Online Psychology Program
Online psychology program evaluation considers key academic quality metrics, including accreditation. You’ll want to ensure that the program’s curriculum and format will help you achieve your goals and that you’ll qualify for admission.
- Accreditation: Students must attend an institutionally accredited school to receive financial aid, earn a valid degree respected by employers, and have the option to transfer credits between accredited schools. Psychology bachelor’s programs do not receive programmatic accreditation, but if you continue to graduate school, you’ll want to look for APA or NASP accreditation.
- Curriculum: Psychology bachelor’s students start with foundational courses, including introduction to psychology, lifespan development, and research methods. Learners then take electives or concentration classes in addictions, clinical psychology, development psychology, and neuroscience. These specialization topics help guide future study and career paths.
- Internship Requirements: Internships offer students opportunities to job shadow and gain supervised hands-on experience at an agency or organization. Internships typically combine online training with related coursework. Distance learners can often complete internships or externships in their local communities but may have to arrange their own internship sites.
- Admissions Requirements: Depending on the selectiveness of the program, admission requirements, such as minimum GPAs and test scores, can vary. Applicants can expect to submit high school transcripts and admission essays. Programs may also list specific prerequisite coursework that students complete before or shortly after admission.
- Program Format: Online study may include asynchronous classes accessible 24/7, which learners complete on their schedules; synchronous classes offered at set times via streaming or video conferencing platforms; hybrid delivery with some online and some on-campus courses; or a combination of formats. Students should evaluate their self-direction, organization, and time-management skills to determine their best online program type.
- Program Length: Bachelor’s degree programs usually take four years, but online programs may offer different timelines. Self-paced asynchronous study may accelerate learning time, and cohort-based formats typically follow a group schedule that students move through. Full-time or part-time enrollment can also impact how long it takes to graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Program
Next Steps
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed April 26, 2024.
