Why This Matters

  • 47% OF PSYCHOLOGISTS NEED A MASTER’S

    O*NET data shows that almost half of industrial and organizational psychologists need a master’s degree for their positions, and this is true for most psychology specializations.

  • 6% GROWTH RATE PROJECTED THROUGH 2031

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6% growth rate in the psychology profession through 2031. This is around average compared to other professions.

  • EARN $81,040 WITH HIGHER EDUCATION

    Psychologists with proper education can expect to earn $81,040 per year or $38.96 per hour, roughly double the national median income.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online psychology programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.


Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online psychology programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 50 Online Psychology Programs

Best Psychology Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
University of Florida
01
Most Affordable
University of Central Florida
01
Best Public Institution
Oregon State University
01
Best Public Research School
Utah State University
01
Best Faith-based Institution
Regent University
01
Best Student Support Services
University of Arizona Psychology
01
Most Innovative Curriculum
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
01
Most Customizable Program
University of Missouri
01
Best for Transfer Students
University of West Florida
01
Best Faculty
UMass Lowell
01

Colorado State University
01

Central Michigan University
01

WSU Global Campus
01

Old Dominion University
01

Arizona State University
01

University of Louisville
01

Fayetteville State University
01

University of Memphis
01

The University of Utah
01

Eastern Kentucky University
01

University of North Dakota
01

Fort Hays State University
01

Eastern Oregon University
01

Oregon Institute of Technology
01

University of Illinois Springfield
01

Central Washington University
01

University of Houston
01

University of Minnesota-Duluth
01

University of Louisiana Monroe
01

University of Maine at Presque Isle
01

University of Nevada at Las Vegas
01

University of Alaska Fairbanks
01

University of Maine at Machias
01

Louisiana State University at Alexandria
01

University of Houston at Downtown
01

Northern Kentucky University
01

Brescia University
01

Kentucky State University
01

Bellevue University
01

Northeastern University
01

UIW School of Professional Studies
01

University of Wyoming
01

Drexel University
01

Northern Arizona University
01

Rowan University Global Learning and Partnerships
01

Indiana University East
01

Penn State World Campus

Discover More Options

What You Should Know About This Degree

Psychology degree programs possess many similarities to other programs in the social sciences, particularly social work. However, while social work programs place an emphasis on all forms of human services and well-being, psychology programs focus purely on the mind and mental health.

Before applying to study psychology, you should ensure your program is accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education as a legitimate accrediting authority for psychology training and education.

To have the title of psychologist, it’s necessary to acquire proper licensing. You’ll need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. The American Board of Professional Psychology awards certifications in 15 specialized areas of psychology. To keep your license, you’ll need to participate in continuing education courses.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online psychology programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? In many cases, it’s not possible to apply for online study in a bachelor’s degree program right out of high school. For example, the University of Central Florida requires that you transfer from another program or be a graduate student in order to study fully online.
  • How long does it take to complete this degree online? The length of time your degree program takes to complete online depends on the level of education and your own pace of learning. Most undergraduate degree programs require 120 credit hours, which takes roughly four years to complete if you study two semesters annually. If you’re pursuing a master’s degree, you’ll need roughly 60 credits depending on the program, which can typically be completed in two years.

Remember to stay organized and keep track of deadlines for applications and financial aid so that you can get started as quickly as possible.