25 Best Psychology Schools and Universities in the U.S.

Located in New York City, Columbia University makes the top of the list with its award-winning Department of Psychology. The department features several psychology options including a psychology minor, psychology major, neuroscience and behavior major, and PhD and post-bachelor’s programs. Along with its rigorous instruction featuring a low student/faculty ratio, these programs offer students many applied research opportunities. Graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York can expect to earn an average income of $82,000.

University of California in Los Angeles is a large public college with over 44,537 students. The college gives students a choice of earning several psychology degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology, and a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science. There are also minors in Applied Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Science available. In addition, students can choose to participate in the school’s PhD program, which features emphasis in health psychology, behavioral neurosciences, and many more. Students who graduate from this college often earn an average salary of $82,000.

Based in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan offers many different pathways to earning a psychology degree. The school features an undergraduate program in psychology that focuses on a variety of areas including developmental, clinical, personality, and social. The college’s Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience majors are perfect for students who would like a more specific psychology major. There is also an accelerated master’s degree program for highly accomplished students who have the potential to succeed in a Master of Psychology program. Students enrolled in an undergraduate psychology program have access to student organizations, internships, and study abroad opportunities. The college also provides a PhD program in social psychology, clinical science, biopsychology, and developmental psychology. University of Michigan in Ann Arbor produces graduates who earn a yearly salary of $79,000.

Washington and Lee University, which is located in Lexington, Virginia, is home to only 2,223 students, but the college still boasts an incredible psychology department despite its small size. Students who pursue the school’s cognitive and behavior science major will gain a deep understanding of mental processes and behaviors. The program can lead to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Salaries for Washington and Lee graduates average about $76,000 a year.

In San Diego, University of California presents its 37,887 students with over 100 degrees and programs. The college’s Department of Psychology offers a minor in psychology as well as a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Students who are interested in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology can choose one of the following specializations: human health, clinical psychology, social psychology, sensation and perception, cognitive psychology, or developmental psychology. The college also offers a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. There is even a PhD psychology program where students will participate in a year-long research project. Students who graduate from this university will earn about $78,0000 starting off.

Harvard University, located in Cambridge Massachusetts, is the oldest college in the country, so naturally it features an incredible psychology department. Students can earn an undergraduate degree in psychology, focusing on program options such as social and cognitive neurosciences or mind, brain, and behavior. Students enrolled in the college’s graduate program will be trained in four research areas including social, clinical science, developmental, and cognitive. The school accepts roughly 65 students into its prestigious graduate program each year, which leads to a PhD degree. Most students who graduate from Harvard start off making about $74,800 a year.

University of Illinois in Champaign is an extremely large public college that serves more than 49,702 students. At this award-winning institution, students can study a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Science in Psychological Science, or a PhD in Psychology. Students who pursue a PhD in Psychology can choose one of the following program areas: cognitive neuroscience, social personality, industrial-organizational, or attention & perception. Many of the college’s psychology programs feature a few online classes, which is a perfect option for students during winters and summer breaks. Graduates of this university often earn an average yearly income of $76,000.

Set in Charlottesville, University of Virginia strives to produce the next generation of psychology leaders. The school has a wide variety of options including a minor in psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master’s in Psychology Research Methods. The master’s program enables current University of Virginia undergraduate students to earn the degree after one additional year. Students may also earn a PhD in Psychology with a concentration in quantitative psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, community psychology, developmental psychology, or community psychology. Students who graduate from the University of Virginia can expect an early salary of about $77,000.

University of California in Berkeley is recognized as a leading institution for psychological research. The college provides undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology that covers the following areas of research: clinical science, developmental, behavioral and systems neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, and social/personality psychology. The bachelor’s degree in psychology can prepare students for a wide variety of careers such as a clinical researcher, teacher, counselor, psychiatrist, and many more. Graduates of this college often earn an annual income of approximately $86,000.

Situated in the middle of Los Angeles, the University of Southern California touts one of the most diverse student populations in the country. The school’s psychology department provides students the opportunity to enroll in an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral psychology program. The Master of Science in Applied Psychology can be completed on-campus or online. The master’s program even offers a summer internship experience in Ireland. Students who would like to enroll in the doctoral psychology program can specialize in the following areas: clinical science, developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive science, and quantitative methods/computational psychology. University of Southern California graduates typically earn about $83,000 a year.

Home to roughly 12,824 students, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The psychological sciences at Vanderbilt presents students with an undergraduate major and minor in psychology as well as a doctoral program. The doctoral program enables students to earn a degree in the following areas: clinical science, neuroscience, quantitative methods, developmental science, and cognitive neuroscience. Students who are considering the doctoral program are strongly encouraged to gain research experience before applying to the college. Vanderbilt University produces graduates who earn an annual salary of about $80,000.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill makes our list of top psychology colleges because of the variety of degree that its Department of Psychology and Neuroscience offers. Students can earn a minor in cognitive science, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, or a PhD in Psychology. The college’s PhD program prepares students for careers as policy makers, clinical researchers, academic instructors, and many more positions. Students obtaining an undergraduate degree in psychology will have access to the Psychology Club, the Undergraduate Research Society, and the Carolina Neuroscience Club. Graduates of the school earn around $69,000 a year.

Stanford University’s Department of Psychology is one of the oldest departments in the school. The department offers a psychology major and minor as well as a PhD program. The college even offers PhD students the option to minor in psychology and/or receive a Master of Arts in Psychology. Students enrolled in the undergraduate psychology program will be able to join the Stanford University Psychology Association. Graduates of this university usually earn an average income of $106,000 a year.

At Boston University, more than 34,657 students have access to several hundred world-class programs. Such programs include undergraduate majors and minors in psychology, where students will have the chance to participate in classroom learning and practical research. The school’s Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences also offers a Master of Arts in Psychology, featuring an extensive array of specializations including brain, behavior and cognition, clinical psychology, and developmental psychology. Students enrolled in the undergraduate psychology program can join an International Honor Society in Psychology known as Psi Chi. Boston University prides itself on producing graduates who earn about $76,000 every year.

Located in Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania boasts four undergraduate and twelve graduate schools. Through the Department of Psychology, students can earn a minor and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The department also offers an Honors Program in Psychology, enabling students to participate in a year-long independent research project. For those who already have a bachelor’s degree, there is a PhD psychology program for students. Graduates from the University of Pennsylvania can expect to earn about $82,000 annually.

University of Georgia in Athens is nationally recognized for its award-winning professors in the Department of Psychology. In this department, students can choose to pursue a psychology major, a Professional Master’s Program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, a Behavior and Brain Science Program, or a Clinical Graduate Doctoral Program. The Behavior and Brain Science Program offers specializations in developmental science, health psychology, vision science, social-personality, and neuroscience. Graduates of this college typically make about $65,000 a year.

Since the early 1900s, the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois has been providing many top-notch psychology programs. These programs include an undergraduate major and minor in psychology, featuring courses like cognitive psychology and neuroscience as well as personality, clinical, and social psychology. The undergraduate psychology programs enable students to perform research for course credit. Students can also choose to enroll in a graduate study in psychology, leading to a specialized PhD degree. Northwestern University’s graduates leave the college making roughly $81,000.

Located in Miami, Carlos Albizu University has a small enrollment of 746 students, so instructors know their students by name. The college features a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, preparing students to pursue careers as social workers, child life specialists, case managers, and many more professional positions. The school also offers a Master of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. The master’s programs include afternoon and evening classes, which is perfect for working professionals. Graduates of this college should expect to earn about $56,000 a year.

Blacksburg is home to a large public college known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Here, students can obtain a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. The school also offers a Master of Science in Psychology, which leads to a PhD degree in one of the following concentrations: developmental science, clinical science, biological psychology, or industrial/organizational psychology. Most graduates of this university earn an average of $74,000 a year.

Just 45 minutes east of Syracuse lies Hamilton College, the third oldest college founded in New York. Students enrolled at Hamilton College can pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, which offers coursework in neuroscience, developmental, social, and cognitive topics. The college also prides itself in teaching students the scientific method. Majoring in psychology at this school can prepare students for careers as a neuroscientist, clinical social worker, school psychologist, and many more. Graduates can expect to earn roughly $72,000 a year.

A large private university boasting more than 50,000 students, New York University in New York City features over 400 programs. One of the most popular undergraduate majors at the college is psychology. The major in psychology enables students to enroll in the Honors Program and participate in laboratory research.

The Department of Psychology also offers two master’s programs: Psychology and Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Motivated students can also choose to pursue a PhD in Social Psychology or Cognition & Perception. The PhD in Social Psychology Program offers students the opportunity to visit the NYU Abu Dhabi to conduct collaborative research. New York University graduates typically make approximately $75,000 a year.

University of Minnesota in Twin Cities is proud of its 300+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Students who want to understand themselves and others better are invited to major in psychology. The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology requires students to complete four semesters of foreign language study. The college’s PhD in Psychology program is recommended for students who would like to specialize in a wide range of areas including social psychology, counseling psychology, clinical science, and many more. The expected salary for graduates of this college is about $72,000.

At Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, students can earn a wide variety of degrees in the school’s Department of Psychology & Neuroscience. Students can choose from a minor in psychology or neuroscience, Bachelor of Arts/Science in Neuroscience, and a Bachelor of Arts/Science in Psychology. The PhD in Psychology option is typically a five or six-year program, where students can focus on clinical psychology, social psychology, systems/integrative neuroscience, developmental psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. Graduates of Duke University usually make about $84,000 a year.

Ohio State University in Columbus is home to over 60,000 students. Students can choose to major in a wide variety of studies, but psychology continues to be a top choice. Pursuing a degree in psychology enables students to gain instruction from world-renowned faculty and participate in a wide range of research. The college proudly offers a psychology major and minor as well as a graduate study in psychology. Students who graduate from this school will make about $70,000 a year.

Since the late 1960s, the Department of Psychology at Georgetown University has consisted of top-notch scholars who teach undergraduate and graduate courses while conducting cutting-edge research in psychology. The college’s undergraduate program includes a major and minor in psychology, and students will have the opportunity to volunteer in faculty labs, enroll in the honors program, and/or join psychology clubs. There is also a PhD in Psychology available for motivated students who are interested in learning about human development/public policy or lifespan cognitive neuroscience. Students who graduate from Georgetown University usually earn an average yearly income of $78,000 a year.