2026 Best Psychology Schools
Looking for the best Psychology programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 1829 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Psychology Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Williams College to be the best Psychology school in the United States. Based in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Typical Psychology student debt is $13,416. Read more about Williams College
Out of the 1829 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Duke University landed the #2 spot. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $12,152 to complete their Psychology program here. Get the full Duke University report
The strong Psychology programs at Stanford University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University Psychology students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. More on Stanford University
You'll be in good company at Bates College, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lewiston, ME. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. More on Bates College
You'll be in good company at Dartmouth College, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $18,194 in student loans. Get the full Dartmouth College report
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical Psychology student debt is $19,015. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Princeton University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. Based in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete their Psychology program here. Read the full report on Princeton University
Colgate University placed #8 among Psychology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hamilton, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Colgate University Psychology students take on a median of $16,000 in debt. Read the full report on Colgate University
Kenyon College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Gambier, OH, Kenyon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Kenyon College graduates 82% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. The median Psychology program debt is $19,000. Read more about Kenyon College
Haverford College placed #10 among Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,398. More on Haverford College
Elon University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Elon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Elon, NC. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Psychology program here. Get the full Elon University report
Virginia Military Institute landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lexington, VA, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Virginia Military Institute graduates 76% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete their Psychology program here. See the full Virginia Military Institute profile
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. The median Psychology program debt is $23,529. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Bucknell University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewisburg, PA. Bucknell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. Bucknell University Psychology students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Bucknell University
Yale University placed #15 among Psychology schools in the United States. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their Psychology program here. More on Yale University
Harvard University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Harvard University Psychology students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Get the full Harvard University report
Georgetown University placed #17 among Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Typical Psychology student debt is $17,500. See the full Georgetown University profile
Gettysburg College placed #18 among Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Gettysburg, PA, Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,640. Typical Psychology student debt is $27,000. More on Gettysburg College
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. The median Psychology program debt is $14,157. Read more about Cornell University
Hamilton College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. Located in Clinton, NY, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. Hamilton College Psychology students take on a median of $17,450 in debt. Read more about Hamilton College
College Of The Holy Cross placed #21 among Psychology schools in the United States. College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. Typical Psychology student debt is $27,000. Read more about College Of The Holy Cross
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,450 to complete their Psychology program here. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
Amherst College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Amherst, MA, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Amherst College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Amherst College Psychology students take on a median of $10,800 in debt. Read the full report on Amherst College
College Of Saint Benedict ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Joseph, MN. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $55,756 in tuition and fees. Typical Psychology student debt is $27,000. More on College Of Saint Benedict
Santa Clara University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. The median Psychology program debt is $17,667. Read more about Santa Clara University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Psychology Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Excelsior College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Albany, NY. The median Psychology program debt is $28,914. Read more about Excelsior College
Southern Methodist University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dallas, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. The median Psychology program debt is $23,310. Get the full Southern Methodist University report
Brown University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Brown University Psychology students take on a median of $15,110 in debt. More on Brown University
Fielding Graduate University placed #29 among Psychology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. Read the full report on Fielding Graduate University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. The median Psychology program debt is $19,462. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Villanova University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,211 in student loans. See the full Villanova University profile
Somerset Christian College did well this year, earning the #32 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Newark, NJ. Somerset Christian College graduates 30% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,900. Typical Psychology student debt is $35,853. More on Somerset Christian College
University Of Chicago came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical Psychology student debt is $13,496. See the full University Of Chicago profile
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #34 in this year's ranking. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. The median Psychology program debt is $18,125. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Palo Alto University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Based in Palo Alto, CA, Palo Alto University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,604. The median Psychology program debt is $20,334. Read the full report on Palo Alto University
Dickinson College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Carlisle, PA, Dickinson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dickinson College graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their Psychology program here. Read the full report on Dickinson College
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #37 among Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Saint Peter, MN, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. The median Psychology program debt is $25,914. Read the full report on Gustavus Adolphus College
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago placed #38 among Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,780. Typical Psychology student debt is $40,645. More on The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago
Trinity University placed #39 among Psychology schools in the United States. Set in San Antonio, TX, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,676. Students borrow a median of $25,892 to complete their Psychology program here. Read the full report on Trinity University
Bethel University Minnesota placed #40 among Psychology schools in the United States. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. The median Psychology program debt is $21,500. More on Bethel University Minnesota
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Angola, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,176. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus
Rice University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. The median Psychology program debt is $12,505. More on Rice University
Randolph Macon College did well this year, earning the #43 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ashland, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $49,466. Typical Psychology student debt is $27,000. Get the full Randolph Macon College report
Northwestern University placed #44 among Psychology schools in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $13,065 in student loans. See the full Northwestern University profile
Washington And Jefferson College did well this year, earning the #45 position. Located in Washington, PA, Washington And Jefferson College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,392. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Washington And Jefferson College
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Based in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,540. Typical Psychology student debt is $26,703. Get the full Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System report
Bemidji State University placed #47 among Psychology schools in the United States. Located in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Psychology program here. More on Bemidji State University
Wartburg College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit school based in Waverly, IA. Wartburg College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. Typical Psychology student debt is $27,000. See the full Wartburg College profile
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Marshall, MN, Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,361. The median Psychology program debt is $26,500. See the full Southwest Minnesota State University profile
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. Located in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide graduates 23% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,097. Graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. More on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
Best Psychology Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Psychology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Psychology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Psychology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Psychology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Psychology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 1829 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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