2026 Best Value General Psychology Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Psychology associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1653 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value General Psychology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found Amarillo College to be the best-value General Psychology school in the United States. Amarillo College is a public school based in Amarillo, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. The median General Psychology program debt is $18,503. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,302. Set against $18,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Amarillo College
Out of the 1653 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fayette, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Typical General Psychology student debt is $25,230. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,991 ten years after entry. Set against $25,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Merced College came in at #3 on this year's best-value General Psychology ranking in the United States. Set in Merced, CA, Merced College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. The median General Psychology program debt is $6,849. Median earnings reach $37,815 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Merced College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #4 place in the United States. El Paso Community College is a public school based in El Paso, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. El Paso Community College General Psychology students take on a median of $5,400 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,212 ten years after entry. Set against $5,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about El Paso Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $13,956 to complete their General Psychology program here. Median earnings reach $43,177 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,956 median debt. Read more about Austin Community College District
South Texas College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in McAllen, TX, South Texas College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. South Texas College General Psychology students take on a median of $7,743 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about South Texas College
College Of The Canyons placed #7 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Santa Clarita, CA, College Of The Canyons is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $7,177. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,022 ten years after entry. Set against $7,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full College Of The Canyons profile
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Long Island City, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. The median General Psychology program debt is $8,272. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,653 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,272 median debt. More on Cuny Laguardia Community College
Oklahoma City Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Oklahoma City, OK, Oklahoma City Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $12,319. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,146 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,319 median debt. See the full Oklahoma City Community College profile
Tyler Junior College placed #10 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Tyler, TX, Tyler Junior College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $17,239 to complete their General Psychology program here. Tyler Junior College alumni report median earnings of $38,140 a decade after entry. Set against $17,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Tyler Junior College profile
Georgia Military College Milledgeville offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Milledgeville, GA, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,605. The median General Psychology program debt is $11,198. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,257 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,198 median debt. Read the full report on Georgia Military College Milledgeville
Sinclair Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Sinclair Community College is a public school based in Dayton, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical General Psychology student debt is $13,661. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,558. That is a strong return on a $13,661 median debt. More on Sinclair Community College
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical General Psychology student debt is $8,858. Central New Mexico Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,869 a decade after entry. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Central New Mexico Community College report
Salt Lake Community College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Lake Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $8,432. Median earnings reach $47,867 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,432 median debt. See the full Salt Lake Community College profile
Mt San Antonio College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Based in Walnut, CA, Mt San Antonio College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their General Psychology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,283. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Mt San Antonio College profile
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Williamsburg, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,875. Graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,036 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 99% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of The Cumberlands report
College Of The Desert placed #17 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Palm Desert, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,326, with out-of-state students paying around $10,174. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. College Of The Desert alumni report median earnings of $39,020 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Read more about College Of The Desert
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies placed #18 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Springfield, MO, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,054. Graduates carry a median of $27,937 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies report
Ferris State University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical General Psychology student debt is $27,125. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,735 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,125 median debt. Ferris State University has an acceptance rate of 91%. Get the full Ferris State University report
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Portales, NM, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. The median General Psychology program debt is $20,050. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%. Get the full Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus report
San Diego Mesa College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego Mesa College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical General Psychology student debt is $7,597. San Diego Mesa College alumni report median earnings of $45,120 a decade after entry. Set against $7,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about San Diego Mesa College
Fresno City College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Fresno City College is a public school based in Fresno, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical General Psychology student debt is $7,802. Median earnings reach $37,361 ten years out. Set against $7,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Fresno City College
Liberty University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lynchburg, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $31,933 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,813. That is a strong return on a $31,933 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Liberty University
Community College Of Philadelphia placed #24 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Community College Of Philadelphia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,838 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,852. Set against $13,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Community College Of Philadelphia
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Set in Las Vegas, NV, College Of Southern Nevada is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. The median General Psychology program debt is $6,450. College Of Southern Nevada alumni report median earnings of $38,087 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full College Of Southern Nevada profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Psychology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Owens Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Perrysburg, OH, Owens Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Owens Community College General Psychology students take on a median of $23,441 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Owens Community College
Wright State University Lake Campus landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Celina, OH, Wright State University Lake Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,372, while out-of-state students pay about $17,072. Graduates carry a median of $27,700 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,500 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Wright State University Lake Campus
Atlanta Christian College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Atlanta Christian College is a private not-for-profit school based in West Point, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,950. Students borrow a median of $35,131 to complete their General Psychology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,740 ten years after entry. Set against $35,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Atlanta Christian College admits about 44% of applicants. Read more about Atlanta Christian College
College Of The Sequoias placed #29 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Visalia, CA, College Of The Sequoias is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. The median General Psychology program debt is $10,288. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,092. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on College Of The Sequoias
Waldorf College landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Typical General Psychology student debt is $27,198. Median earnings reach $51,165 ten years out. Set against $27,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Waldorf College has an acceptance rate of 77%. Read more about Waldorf College
Northwest Vista College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Based in San Antonio, TX, Northwest Vista College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Northwest Vista College General Psychology students take on a median of $9,047 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,490 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,047 median debt. Read the full report on Northwest Vista College
Utah Valley University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Utah Valley University is a public school based in Orem, UT. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. The median General Psychology program debt is $12,500. Median earnings reach $55,486 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. More on Utah Valley University
Upper Iowa University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fayette, IA. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical General Psychology student debt is $38,594. Upper Iowa University alumni report median earnings of $52,766 a decade after entry. Set against $38,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants. See the full Upper Iowa University profile
San Antonio College landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in San Antonio, TX, San Antonio College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. The median General Psychology program debt is $11,839. Median earnings reach $39,711 ten years out. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full San Antonio College profile
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences placed #35 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Fayette, MO, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,620 in tuition and fees. The median General Psychology program debt is $25,230. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences alumni report median earnings of $48,991 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,230 median debt. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences admits about 57% of applicants. More on Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences
Regent University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Regent University General Psychology students take on a median of $33,625 in debt. Regent University alumni report median earnings of $44,498 a decade after entry. Set against $33,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University has an acceptance rate of 38%. Get the full Regent University report
Colorado Christian University placed #37 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Lakewood, CO, Colorado Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $39,919 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,416. Set against $39,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Colorado Christian University
Siena Heights University placed #39 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Adrian, MI, Siena Heights University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,778. Graduates carry a median of $27,475 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Siena Heights University profile
Fisher College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Set in Boston, MA, Fisher College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,689. Fisher College General Psychology students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Fisher College alumni report median earnings of $49,669 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fisher College admits about 71% of applicants. Read more about Fisher College
Dean College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Located in Franklin, MA, Dean College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,526. Typical General Psychology student debt is $27,000. Median earnings reach $38,109 ten years out. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%. Get the full Dean College report
Anna Maria College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Anna Maria College
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full California State Polytechnic University Pomona report
Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. See the full Eastern Connecticut State University profile
Finger Lakes Community College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Finger Lakes Community College
Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Read the full report on Illinois Wesleyan University
Jacksonville University offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Jacksonville University
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania report
Los Angeles City College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Los Angeles City College
Mount Mercy University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Mount Mercy University
Saint Francis University placed #50 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. See the full Saint Francis University profile
Related General Psychology Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value General Psychology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value General Psychology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Psychology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Psychology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Psychology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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).
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