2026 Best Value General Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Psychology graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Minnesota State University Mankato this year in the United States. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical General Psychology student debt is $24,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato has an acceptance rate of 88%. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fitchburg State University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Fitchburg State University is a public school based in Fitchburg, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $26,125. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,874. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read more about Fitchburg State University
You'll get strong value at Liberty University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $31,933 to complete their General Psychology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,813 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $31,933 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Liberty University
A rank of #4 makes Angelo State University one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in San Angelo, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,116 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted. See the full Angelo State University profile
A rank of #5 makes Walden University one of the best values in the United States. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,067. Walden University General Psychology students take on a median of $52,781 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Walden University report
University Of South Dakota offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $24,593 to complete their General Psychology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,926. That is a strong return on a $24,593 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of South Dakota
Northcentral University offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Located in San Diego, CA, Northcentral University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,594. Typical General Psychology student debt is $42,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,414 ten years after entry. Set against $42,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Northcentral University
Iowa State University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Ames, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $23,121. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Iowa State University report
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. The median General Psychology program debt is $22,415. Median earnings reach $61,945 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,415 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. More on University Of Kansas
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical General Psychology student debt is $20,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,403 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Roosevelt University placed #11 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Roosevelt University General Psychology students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,712. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%. Read the full report on Roosevelt University
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #12 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Based in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $18,195 to complete their General Psychology program here. Median earnings reach $50,923 ten years out. Set against $18,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The University Of Texas At El Paso report
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte General Psychology students take on a median of $24,250 in debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte alumni report median earnings of $57,289 a decade after entry. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. See the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte profile
Claremont Graduate University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,372 ten years after entry. Read more about Claremont Graduate University
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Lowell, MA, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,925 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,874 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell has an acceptance rate of 83%. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Lowell
University Of Central Florida came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $19,432 to complete their General Psychology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,308 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,432 median debt. University Of Central Florida has an acceptance rate of 40%. Read more about University Of Central Florida
University Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical General Psychology student debt is $16,897. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%. See the full University Of Florida profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. The median General Psychology program debt is $23,258. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
New York University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. New York University General Psychology students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,509. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University has an acceptance rate of 9%. See the full New York University profile
Brenau University placed #20 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Read more about Brenau University
Cornerstone University came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cornerstone University report
Lawrence University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. See the full Lawrence University profile
Norfolk State University placed #23 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. Get the full Norfolk State University report
Oakland City University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Oakland City University report
Saint Johns University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Saint Johns University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of South Carolina Aiken placed #26 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. More on University Of South Carolina Aiken
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Southern Indiana report
Utah State University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Utah State University
Wheeling Jesuit University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Wheeling Jesuit University
Xavier University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Get the full Xavier University report
Dickinson State University came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Dickinson State University profile
Flagler College St Augustine offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full Flagler College St Augustine profile
Los Medanos College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Los Medanos College report
Rhode Island College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. More on Rhode Island College
University At Buffalo came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. See the full University At Buffalo profile
University Of Hawaii At Hilo offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full University Of Hawaii At Hilo report
University Of Idaho landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Idaho profile
Warren Wilson College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Warren Wilson College
Azusa Pacific University placed #39 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. More on Azusa Pacific University
Dodge City Community College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Read the full report on Dodge City Community College
Folsom Lake College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Get the full Folsom Lake College report
Lasell College
Lasell College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Lasell College
Louisiana College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Psychology schools. Read the full report on Louisiana College
Neumann University placed #44 among the best-value General Psychology schools in the United States. More on Neumann University
Northern Kentucky University offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Northern Kentucky University
Sierra College
Sierra College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on Sierra College
University Of Southern Mississippi offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full University Of Southern Mississippi profile
West Virginia Wesleyan College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about West Virginia Wesleyan College
Diablo Valley College landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Diablo Valley College report
Excelsior College landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Excelsior College
Related General Psychology Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at 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 Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Psychology Bachelor’s 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. Rankings consider 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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