2026 Best General Psychology Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best General Psychology doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1653 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 General Psychology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #2 on this year's General Psychology ranking in the United States. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University General Psychology students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. More on Carnegie Mellon University
A rank of #3 makes Georgetown University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Typical General Psychology student debt is $17,500. More on Georgetown University
You'll be in good company at Claremont Graduate University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
Northwestern University came in at #5 on this year's General Psychology ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Northwestern University General Psychology students take on a median of $14,500 in debt. See the full Northwestern University profile
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best General Psychology schools. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school based in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. The median General Psychology program debt is $19,462. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Rice University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Rice University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Graduates carry a median of $12,505 in student loans. See the full Rice University profile
George Mason University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. The median General Psychology program debt is $21,000. Read the full report on George Mason University
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Austin General Psychology students take on a median of $19,750 in debt. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas Christian University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical General Psychology student debt is $23,412. Get the full Texas Christian University report
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #11 among General Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. The median General Psychology program debt is $19,500. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $21,215 in student loans. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical General Psychology student debt is $23,121. Get the full Iowa State University report
Vanderbilt University placed #14 among General Psychology schools in the United States. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Students borrow a median of $11,209 to complete their General Psychology program here. More on Vanderbilt University
Northcentral University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in San Diego, CA, Northcentral University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,594. Graduates carry a median of $42,500 in student loans. Read more about Northcentral University
Grand Canyon University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Grand Canyon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Grand Canyon University General Psychology students take on a median of $30,027 in debt. Read the full report on Grand Canyon University
Boston University did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full Boston University report
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #18 among General Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Typical General Psychology student debt is $26,774. See the full Illinois Institute Of Technology profile
Emory University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Typical General Psychology student debt is $20,500. Read more about Emory University
Seattle Pacific University placed #20 among General Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. The median General Psychology program debt is $26,000. Read the full report on Seattle Pacific University
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete their General Psychology program here. Get the full Michigan State University report
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #22 among General Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their General Psychology program here. Get the full University Of Colorado Boulder report
Loma Linda University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit school based in Loma Linda, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,960. Graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Get the full Loma Linda University report
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $20,500. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles placed #26 among General Psychology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Students from in state pay about $21,780 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $40,645 in student loans. Read the full report on The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Psychology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #27 among General Psychology schools in the United States. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University General Psychology students take on a median of $22,151 in debt. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of North Dakota landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. University Of North Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Graduates carry a median of $23,905 in student loans. Get the full University Of North Dakota report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best General Psychology schools. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $22,373. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in Athens, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. The median General Psychology program debt is $21,552. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Miami University Oxford landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Located in Oxford, OH, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. The median General Psychology program debt is $24,094. See the full Miami University Oxford profile
James Madison University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. James Madison University posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. James Madison University General Psychology students take on a median of $23,000 in debt. See the full James Madison University profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $23,147 to complete their General Psychology program here. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Tulane University Of Louisiana General Psychology students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. Read the full report on Tulane University Of Louisiana
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #36 position. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General Psychology program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Nebraska At Omaha did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete their General Psychology program here. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha report
University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #38 among General Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Anchorage, AK, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. Students from in state pay about $7,738 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,322 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $16,432. Get the full University Of Alaska Anchorage report
Washington State University placed #39 among General Psychology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical General Psychology student debt is $21,500. See the full Washington State University profile
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. University Of South Florida Main Campus General Psychology students take on a median of $21,267 in debt. Read the full report on University Of South Florida Main Campus
Arizona State University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. The median General Psychology program debt is $23,000. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of South Dakota landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. University Of South Dakota is a public school based in Vermillion, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,593 to complete their General Psychology program here. More on University Of South Dakota
Auburn University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their General Psychology program here. Read more about Auburn University
University Of California Irvine ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best General Psychology schools. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. The median General Psychology program debt is $14,883. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
University Of Miami placed #45 among General Psychology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Coral Gables, FL. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Miami profile
University Of Denver ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best General Psychology schools. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. University Of Denver General Psychology students take on a median of $21,083 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Denver
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best General Psychology schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school based in Richmond, VA. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete their General Psychology program here. See the full Virginia Commonwealth University profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $21,125. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Florida State University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Florida State University is a public school based in Tallahassee, FL. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More on Florida State University
Western New England University placed #50 among General Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Springfield, MA, Western New England University is a private not-for-profit institution. Western New England University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $47,820. Western New England University General Psychology students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. See the full Western New England University profile
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best General Psychology schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete their General Psychology program here. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Related General Psychology Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best General Psychology Schools (All Levels)
- Best General Psychology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Psychology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Psychology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best General Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1653 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).