2026 Best Psychology Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Psychology doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1829 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Psychology program here. See the full Stanford University profile
The strong Psychology programs at Duke University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Duke University Psychology students take on a median of $12,152 in debt. Get the full Duke University report
A rank of #3 makes Princeton University one of the top choices in the United States. Located 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. More on Princeton University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $19,015 in student loans. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report
Yale University came in at #5 on this year's Psychology ranking in the United States. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their Psychology program here. Read the full report on Yale University
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Psychology program here. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Harvard University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. The median Psychology program debt is $16,616. Read more about Harvard University
Georgetown University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Georgetown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about Georgetown University
Palo Alto University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Palo Alto, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,604. Palo Alto University Psychology students take on a median of $20,334 in debt. More on Palo Alto University
Washington University In St Louis placed #10 among Psychology schools in the United States. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Cornell University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Typical Psychology student debt is $14,157. Read more about Cornell University
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles placed #13 among Psychology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $21,780. The median Psychology program debt is $40,645. Read the full report on The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles
Claremont Graduate University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
Northwestern University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. The median Psychology program debt is $13,065. Read the full report on Northwestern University
University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among Psychology schools in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. The median Psychology program debt is $18,125. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical Psychology student debt is $13,496. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Fielding Graduate University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, Fielding Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Fielding Graduate University
Brown University placed #19 among Psychology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Brown University Psychology students take on a median of $15,110 in debt. Read the full report on Brown University
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Get the full The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc report
Southern Methodist University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical Psychology student debt is $23,310. Read the full report on Southern Methodist University
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago did well this year, earning the #22 position. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,780. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago Psychology students take on a median of $40,645 in debt. Read more about The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. The median Psychology program debt is $14,000. Get the full University Of Southern California report
The Wright Institute placed #24 among Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Berkeley, CA, The Wright Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on The Wright Institute
Rice University placed #25 among Psychology schools in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical Psychology student debt is $12,505. Get the full Rice University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Psychology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Fuller Theological Seminary In California did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Pasadena, CA, Fuller Theological Seminary In California is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Fuller Theological Seminary In California profile
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. This public school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical Psychology student debt is $19,462. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
George Mason University placed #28 among Psychology schools in the United States. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. George Mason University Psychology students take on a median of $21,000 in debt. See the full George Mason University profile
Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology is a private not-for-profit school based in Newton, MA. Students from in state pay about $11,800 in tuition and fees. Read more about Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology
Boston College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Graduates carry a median of $17,363 in student loans. More on Boston College
Touro University Worldwide came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Alamitos, CA, Touro University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution. About 29% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,640. Typical Psychology student debt is $25,611. Read more about Touro University Worldwide
University Of St Thomas Minnesota did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,398. The median Psychology program debt is $27,000. Read more about University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More on Saint Louis University Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The median Psychology program debt is $19,750. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Irvine did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Anaheim, CA, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Irvine profile
Texas Christian University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $21,516 in student loans. More on Texas Christian University
Iowa State University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,121 in student loans. Read more about Iowa State University
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach did well this year, earning the #38 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Daytona Beach, FL. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach graduates 66% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Students borrow a median of $24,620 to complete their Psychology program here. Read more about Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Psychology schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical Psychology student debt is $19,500. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Endicott College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Beverly, MA, Endicott College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,650 in tuition and fees. Endicott College Psychology students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Endicott College
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #41 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Psychology students take on a median of $21,215 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Hofstra University placed #42 among Psychology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hempstead, NY. Hofstra University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. Typical Psychology student debt is $26,000. Get the full Hofstra University report
Vanderbilt University placed #43 among Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $11,209 in student loans. More on Vanderbilt University
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #44 position. This public school is set in College Station, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station Psychology students take on a median of $19,121 in debt. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Marquette University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,170. Students borrow a median of $24,891 to complete their Psychology program here. See the full Marquette University profile
Spalding University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in Louisville, KY, Spalding University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,000. Students borrow a median of $31,750 to complete their Psychology program here. More on Spalding University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Brandeis University placed #48 among Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,080. Graduates carry a median of $26,787 in student loans. Read more about Brandeis University
Northcentral University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,594. Northcentral University Psychology students take on a median of $42,500 in debt. Get the full Northcentral University report
Grand Canyon University came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,508. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete their Psychology program here. Read the full report on Grand Canyon University
Related Psychology Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Psychology Schools (All Levels)
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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