By Iris Stone
For years, psychology has been one of the most popular choices for undergraduate majors. On the one hand, the chance to study the human brain and what motivates behavior is tempting to the majority of 20-somethings. At the same time, psychology is appealing because it’s broad enough to give graduates the space to pursue careers in business, marketing, law, education, social services, medicine, healthcare…the list goes on.
In other words, it’s hard to go wrong with a degree in psychology. If you’re in the market for a B.S. or B.A. in Psychology, you’re probably interested in two things: affordability and selectivity. Fortunately, this list considers both factors.
Methodology
First, we used College Navigator to search for any type of undergraduate, four-year psychology program, whether clinical, biophysical, cognitive, developmental, or educational, whether a bachelor’s of science or arts. We then filtered the results to show only selective institutions – in other words, colleges that admit 50% of students or fewer and require minimum SAT scores of 540 in each category.
At this point, we sorted the results by net price and chose the 50 least expensive schools. For reference, “net price” is different than tuition; it takes into account tuition, room and board, living expenses, educational fees, institutional scholarships, federal loans, and other monetary factors, offering a single annual cost that approximates how much the average student can expect to pay for a year of school at that university.
The results are below. They include Ivy League colleges, top national universities, renowned psychology programs, and some schools that don’t yet get enough credit for their caliber. But regardless of reputation, these 50 psychology programs are all affordable enough to put a great education within arm’s reach.
50. Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
B.A. in Psychology
Claremont McKenna College seeks to educate students for thoughtful and productive lives in business, government, and the professions. Its motto, Crescit cum commercio civitas, means “Civilization prospers with commerce.” Claremont students learn to apply psychology to various fields including law, education, and medicine. Majors receive a breadth of knowledge and use those theoretical tools to explore the science behind this field and how it can be applied professionally. Interdisciplinary sequences in neuroscience help students fold psychology into other academic areas and turn them into real-world success. This good college for psychology also grants expertise that will expand their career options. Claremont offers opportunities for applied research, including positions at several laboratories that offer paid research assistantships and internships.
Net Price: $23,982/yr
49. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
While there are many colleges with good psychology programs, the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania is the oldest continuously functioning psychology department in North America. Majors take lecture courses in various areas of the discipline: perception, learning, thinking, and the theory behind the human personality. Students also explore psychological pathology and its biological and environmental roots. Undergraduates must distribute core courses across three of these content areas to guarantee broad coverage and perform at least one semester of empirical research. The Undergraduate Psychology Society holds events that foster students’ growth in the community – both at Penn and the community at large.
Net Price: $22,694/yr
48. Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
B.A. in Psychology
The bachelor’s degree in psychology prepares students to understand diverse modes of psychological inquiry and approaches to various problems encountered in social and life sciences, as well as in the humanities. Swarthmore College offers a major and minor, honors major and minor, as well as special majors in neuroscience, psychology, and education. Students may even develop individualized special majors, and work as part-time research assistants in faculty laboratories or carry out independent projects under faculty supervision. Several students remain on campus each summer to conduct studies, and the program culminates with a mandatory research experience; students may choose a research project, a thesis, or a practicum in this field.
Net Price: $22,557/yr
47. Davidson College
Davidson, NC
B.A. in Psychology
The goal of the psychology program at Davidson College is to provide thorough, accurate, up-to-date knowledge of research methods, philosophical and ethical issues, principal subfields, and laboratory experience and field research. One of the hallmarks of the program is collaborative research between faculty and students. Many students work directly with department faculty as part of research teams, and students often co-author publications and present as co-authors at professional conferences. As a psychology major, students will learn a broad discipline incorporating the scientific approach with the study of human and animal behavior and the physiological and cognitive processes underlying that behavior.
Net Price: $22,457/yr
46. Haverford College
Haverford, PA
B.A. in Psychology
Haverford College provides students with an understanding of human behavior that will allow them to contribute to scientific research; assist community members; and become educated, informed professionals. Students master theoretical concepts and competence at this good school for psychology, as well as methodologies professionals use in day-to-day practice. Because majors must focus on research, they must think scientifically about psychological questions and understand empirical approaches to complex problems. Haverford offers real-world training and insight into unique research, as well as positions as research assistants on ongoing faculty research projects.
Net Price: $22,409/yr
45. Hamilton College
Clinton, NY
B.A. in Psychology
Hamilton College is a good psychology school for those interested in a broad-based knowledge of the field because the program includes each of the major branches of contemporary psychology: clinical, cognitive, developmental, educational, personality, physiological, sensory, and social psychology. Majors may choose from a variety of electives, such as Adult Psychopathology, Child Development, and Social Psychology. Lab work begins with the first course, and this hands-on approach to study confers an early grounding in the scientific method. Along the way, there are opportunities for research and fieldwork, such as a semester at the New England Center for Children. And ultimately, the Senior Project will require you to engage in extensive research, an oral presentation, and thesis.
Net Price: $22,392/yr
44. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
B.A. in Psychology
The psychology program at Vanderbilt University offers an undergraduate major and minor in the areas of clinical science, human cognition and cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and social psychology. Vanderbilt also offers a research-based honors program, which brings undergraduates together with the department’s faculty, research fellows, and graduate students to conduct a wide variety of research projects. This research ranges from simple tests of perception to state-of-the-art brain imaging studies. The department encourages majors to work with faculty in the department for pedagogical training and to gain valuable research experience.
Net Price: $22,173/yr
43. Barnard College
New York, NY
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Students in the psychology program at Barnard College will encounter many perspectives on psychological evidence and technique through classroom learning, courses in the field, and time in the laboratory. Barnard, ranked among the best colleges with psychology majors, exposes students to the science behind everyday emotions, including aggression, love, and even sexuality. You will have ample opportunities to conduct original research and delve into both tangible and theoretical concepts. What’s more, the Toddler Center and a course in Field Work in Psychological Services provide first-hand contact with the study of psychology. Psyched: The Barnard Psychological Society is a club open to all students interested in psychology (not just majors and minors).
Net Price: $21,791/yr
42. Duke University
Durham, NC
A.B. or B.S. in Psychology
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Trinity College at Duke features 33 core faculty, 12 allied faculty, and over 40 adjuncts. The sizeable program offers two majors (A.B. and B.S.) and a minor in Psychology. Students at this good psychology school focus on five topic areas: abnormal/health, cognitive psychology, biological bases of behavior, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and developmental psychology. The mission of the program is to provide you with a dynamic, interactive learning experience that confers a strong background in psychology as a science. You’ll spend time critically evaluating current topics and discussing real world applications in lectures, small group formats, and one-on-one independent study experiences.
Net Price: $21,764/yr
41. Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
The psychology program at Colgate University immerses students in courses that explore a wide range of topics in behavioral science. Majors at Colgate, a popular good school for psychology, may choose to participate in advanced seminars that cover the current issues in the field. However, Colgate encourages students to select those courses that assure breadth of exposure rather than specialization in only one area of interest. Additionally, each summer more than 150 undergraduates work with faculty on research projects, often co-author publications, and present as co-authors at professional conferences. The department is also the home of Colgate’s interdisciplinary neuroscience program, which is associated with the Center for Language and Brain.
Net Price: $21,649/yr
40. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Dartmouth College offers its students a major and minor in both psychology and neuroscience, providing two separate perspective on the brain, its function, and various pathologies. Dartmouth is also a best value among colleges with psychology programs, bringing reputable academics together with generous financial and scholarships. The psychology major includes courses in sensation and perception, the physiology associated with behavior, and cognition and cognitive neuroscience. You can conduct research in conjunction with prestigious faculty on various topics relating to the mind, brain, and behavior. Recent findings include the science behind “super recognizers” who can expertly remember faces, an “off switch” for bad habits, and how music and movement communicate emotion.
Net Price: $21,277/yr
39. Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
You have the chance to enter a rigorous, varied degree experience that explores the intricacies of human nature in Wellesley College’s psychology program. Wellesley guides students in investigation of the mind, how culture and environment affect humans, and social interaction, among other areas. Faculty at this good college for psychology urge students to craft productive questions in this field, as well as critically analyze the answers via data and appropriate methodology. Graduates leave equipped to pursue post-graduate education, as well as take their Wellesley education into real-world situations. Students may also work with the Child Study Center – for children aged two to five – or join the Psychology Club.
Net Price: $21,216/yr
38. Brown University
Providence, RI
Psychology Concentration
Brown University’s psychology degree program features close collaboration between students and faculty, with the opportunity to conduct independent research. Students will take courses in perception and cognition, personality, quantitative methods, and laboratory techniques, among other subjects. Qualified undergraduates can also work as teaching assistants, and some students can enter the Honors program to complete one-on-one research with a professor for a particular project. Honors students write a thesis and give an oral presentation on their project, securing a particularly impressive diploma that will serve them well in the job hunt. Brown offers both an A.B. and a Sc.B. degree. Brown also offers concentrations in cognitive neuroscience and linguistics and is highly rated among colleges with psychology majors.
Net Price: $21,193/yr
37. Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Understanding the way the mind works – and the reasons humans make every day decisions – is at the heart of Middlebury College’s undergraduate psychology program. These insights include emotional and cognitive effects on behavior, as well as the various effects that psychological conditions have on memory. Students also use data and statistics to find effective solutions to everyday problems in the field, to form new theories, and to help explain the science behind behavior. As such, Middlebury encourages students to explore their own research. Highly qualified students can also elect to complete an honors thesis in consultation with a faculty member.
Net Price: $20,903/yr
36. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Students seeking a psychology degree program that offers significant breadth and depth can turn to Columbia University. Not only does Columbia tailor its curriculum to reach students with a wide array of backgrounds, but it also prepares them for graduate work as well as jobs in law, education, and medicine. As a student at Columbia, you will delve into biochemistry, neuroscience and cognition, and abnormal psychology. Along the way, the university folds in practical opportunities for research, critical analysis, and the proper use of data and statistics. Furthermore, you’ll take time to learn about the ethical dilemmas in the field and how long-held tenets shape professional practice.
Net Price: $20,838/yr
35. Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology
At Washington and Lee University, the scientific aspect of psychology demands that students take an active role in their academic experience. Multiple courses require students to complete lab assignments, design experiments, and even run their own studies. Faculty regularly include undergraduates in their own research projects – a feature that distinguishes W&L as a good psychology school and provides a solid foundation for graduate-level work. In the classroom, coursework covers all the principles of the field, from abnormal behavior and social psychology to gender-role development and stereotyping. In addition, fourth-year students all complete a final tutorial and “directed individualized study,” which include advanced reading assignments, internships, seminars, and independent research projects.
Net Price: $20,700/yr
34. Rice University
Houston, TX
B.A. in Psychology
Certain aspects of Rice University’s program are no different than any of the other good colleges for psychology – 120 credit hours cover social psychology, cognitive psychology, human behavior, and research methods. Students can also participate in research or design their own experiments as part of a special “Supervised Research” course. But one of the more unique features at Rice is the GATEWAY Program, which helps students answer that age-old question, “What do I do with my degree?” You can get assistance finding internships or fellowships, applying to international programs, and landing research assistantships. Rice University also supports the Global Urban Lab, which gives students an avenue to take college courses and do research alongside faculty in other countries, including England and Turkey.
Net Price: $20,512/yr
33. Williams College
Williamstown, MA
B.A. in Psychology
Williams is a small liberal arts college that offers a different environment for focused psychology students. Unlike larger state schools, WC brings together an intimate group of faculty who can give undergrads plenty of individual attention. Professors act as mentors who teach students how to be critical thinkers and engaged researchers, whether they’re taking a class in social psychology or conducting a study on neuroscience. Williams College is also a huge fan of interdisciplinary programs and encourages students to either double major or find a way to bring multiple fields together. For example, you might combine Psychology with a program in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Legal Studies, or Teaching.
Net Price: $20,315/yr
32. Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
B.A. in Psychology
Vassar may be a traditional liberal arts school, but it has plenty to offer in the way of scientific resources. Good psychology schools require stellar laboratories and facilities to support serious study, and Vassar is well on its way to blowing through this standard through the Integrated Science Center (under construction). But even without the completed ISC, psych students can access everything they need through state-of-the-art labs, sophisticated audio and video recording equipment, and testing suites. Vassar is also home to the Wimpfheimer Nursery School, which serves as a laboratory for research in child development, educational theory, and developmental psychology.
Net Price: $19,661/yr
31. Yale University
New Haven, CT
B.S. or B.A. in Psychology (Optional Neuroscience Track)
Ivy League schools are traditionally synonymous with academic excellence, and any one of them is likely a good college for psychology. For students at Yale, majoring in psychology means choosing to emphasize in either Neuroscience or Cognitive Science. The former is ideal for students who are interested in the structural components of the brain, while the latter attracts undergraduates who prefer the thought processes the brain supports, including problem-solving. And because of Yale’s big name, the university is rife with opportunities to connect with important professors who are conducting important research. You can even find job postings online; current openings are available in cancer treatment, social emotions, pain and pleasure, anxiety disorders, goal attainment, and more – the list goes on!
Net Price: $19,317/yr
30. Pomona College
Claremont, CA
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Pomona College is one of the top psychology programs in the nation, as far as PhDs go. Although we’re only interested in bachelor’s degrees in this article, the quality of a school’s graduate program is often an indication of its overall commitment to the discipline. The funding, resources, and commitment pouring into PC’s psychology department benefits students at all levels – including undergraduates. Classes within the B.A. program include Psychological Approaches to the Study of People, Memory and Language, Asian American Psychology, and The Social Brain. In addition, all seniors must complete a final capstone and thesis project; this requires them to develop a hypothesis and personally conduct a study, then present their findings to a group of faculty members.
Net Price: $19,205/yr
29. The College of New Jersey
Ewing Township, NJ
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (Various Specializations)
The College of New Jersey offers a highly organized degree path for motivated psychology students. Program members progress through a series of core and foundational courses, which include Methods and Tools of Psychology and Development Across the Lifespan, before tackling a group of specialized classes. Students can specialize in one of six different areas, enabling learners to pick the concentration that best suits their interests. These six areas – Biopsychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Counseling/Clinical Psychology – each prepare students for slightly different career paths. Finally, you’ll tackle a “Senior Experience,” a student-led class that combines field study and integrative seminars.
Net Price: $19,119/yr
28. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology with optional Research Concentration
If you’re looking for a broad-based study of human behavior, the University of Connecticut will be a good psychology school for you. UConn separates its major tracks into a few different categories; both B.A. and B.S. majors have the option to pursue a standard degree, add a research concentration, or graduate with honors. The research concentration is just what it sounds like – students must take additional courses in experimental/laboratory work, such as by designing a special topics class or completing independent study. Alternatively, the honors track is only available to psych majors who have been accepted to the separate University Honors Program.
Net Price: $19,049/yr
27. Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Psychology Concentration
As one of the oldest and most recognized names in American education, Princeton University has much to offer serious academic students. Princeton, like many of its Ivy League neighbors, refers to its majors as “concentrations,” and its students as “concentrators.” Psychology concentrators do much more than check off a list of coursework; they also participate in research studies, work as research assistants, and complete Independent Work in their junior and senior years. More specifically, the Independent Work Project asks students to develop a thesis question, conduct a literature review, and offer an independent analysis of the topic. The goal of this long-term project is to help concentrators become familiar with empirical research – a skill that will serve them well in graduate school.
Net Price: $18,885/yr
26. Silver Lake College of the Holy Family
Manitowoc, WI
B.A. in Psychology
Students at Silver Lake College can choose from two psychology tracks – the traditional option and an accelerated version for adult learners. Both options are comprehensive and will give you a solid foundation in the psychological sciences, but the latter track offers weekend and evening courses at multiple campuses to give you maximum flexibility. Many colleges with psychology majors try to provide ways for students to double major or pursue multiple interests at once; at Silver Lake, you can opt for an additional certificate in Social Work Training or a minor in Family Services.
Net Price: $18,681/yr
25. Reed College
Portland, OR
B.A. in Psychology
Reed College emphasizes “the science of the mind,” encouraging students to tackle the big questions in the form of research projects and independent study. Professors receive funding for topics ranging from addiction to motivation to neuroscience, and students often assist faculty on these thought-provoking projects. There are also several other lab initiatives on campus, including the Adolescent Health Research Program, the Children’s Motivation Project, the Cognitive Electrophysiology SCALP Lab, the Learning and Adaptive Behavior Laboratory, and many others. If research isn’t enough for you, check out the Psychology Colloquium Series (which features TED Talk authors!) or the Squier Retreat, at weekend trip that brings faculty and students together for fun discussion over serious ideas.
Net Price: $18,671/yr
24. Colby College
Waterville, ME
B.A. in Psychology
Delve into the inner-workings of human cognition, behavior, and emotion at Colby College. The curriculum includes all that you would expect from colleges with good psychology programs, including classes in the Biological Basis of Behavior, Research Methods and Statistics, Human Neuropsychology, and Theories of Learning. An optional concentration in Neuroscience steers psychology majors toward the anatomy and physical biology of mental processes as they study neural plasticity, evolution and diversity, and the cellular basis of life. As far as research is concerned, Colby sees it as a two-sided process: students can sign up to participate in studies through the Experimetrix online system, apply for independent study credit, or work as volunteers or paid lab assistants.
Net Price: $18,477/yr
23. Stanford University
Stanford, CA
B.A. in Psychology
Stanford is one of the highest-ranked universities in the country, and saying it’s a “good college for psychology” would be an understatement. The department carefully selects and cultivates the best possible classes for its curriculum, putting students in the position to find work in business, law, psychology, social work, education, or medicine after graduation. You can pursue honors in the subject or apply for the Coterminal M.A., a highly selective program that lets accomplished students accelerate their studies through graduate school. You can also partner with prestigious professors on research in Affective Science, Neuroscience, or Cognitive, Social, or Developmental Psychology. Other opportunities include research on childhood development at the Bing Nursery School and social events with the Black Psychology Students Association.
Net Price: $17,952/yr
22. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology
The University of Texas at Austin isn’t interested in just furthering the status quo in psychology – the school wants to push boundaries and encourage students at all levels to think outside the box. Undergraduate students gain a solid foundation of the basics as they learn about the cultural, gender, and behavioral influences on human society. The department, which hosts more than 1,500 psychology majors each year, also provides a space for students to develop their research, analytical, and critical thinking skills. With a broad base of information and a wide set of useful skills, psych graduates at UT Austin find success in a number of professions. More than half of students choose to attend graduate school, nearly a quarter go into business, and the rest opt for careers in the social services, law, and education.
Net Price: $16,832/yr
21. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
B.S. in Psychology
Enjoy and active and engaged academic experience at Cal Poly, a West Coast school that puts a premium on diversity, cultural opportunities, and hands-on learning. Most colleges with psychology majors provide the basic research and academic experiences, but the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo exerts a lot of energy to make sure you stay involved; between the Psi Chi Honors Society, the Psychology Club, and the Poly Child Development Club, there is no shortage of ways to socialize and network. Other unique opportunities include the Community Counseling Clinic, the Preschool Learning Lab, and the Bakari Mentoring Program, which assists under-served youth at local high schools in San Luis Obispo County.
Net Price: $16,783/yr
20. University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
UC Berkeley – one of just several California institutions on this list – has a reputation for excellence in myriad subjects. The university earns its stripes as a good school for psychology in more ways than one; from its stellar academics to world-renowned research capabilities. The department supports six main areas of research: Social-Personality, Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Clinical Science, Developmental Psychology, Cognition, and Cognitive Neuroscience. Furthermore, to support the deluge of undergraduates who become psychology majors (it’s the most popular discipline at Berkeley) this school offers exchange programs that allow students to attend summer sessions and secure work study positions within the department.
Net Price: $16,655/yr
19. University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience
In addition to the traditional psychology degree, U of M offers a rare alternative in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. This program even goes beyond a typical concentration in Neuroscience, building an entire undergraduate degree on the study of cognitive psychology, behavioral ecology, biochemistry, perception, mental processes, and even the philosophy of cognition. An honors program is also available to qualified students. In addition to simply earning a special credential on your diploma, this path puts you in the position to do one-on-one research with faculty, attend professional conferences, and complete two semesters of independent study courses with a mentor.
Net Price: $15,850/yr
18. University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology
Get involved in your major from day one at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, an inarguably good college for psychology. Research experiences come in all shapes and sizes, from working as an undergraduate lab assistant to enrolling in a special summer program. Community engagement is another area of interest for many students, such as participating in an internship or fieldwork, volunteering with an organization off-site, or even applying to the YMCA Community Leadership Intern Program (CLIP). And still, there’s more. Student organizations like the Psychology Club and Psi Chi Honors Society give you a forum to meet like-minded, while the Sentience Journal will give you a great opportunity to publish early research.
Net Price: $15,589/yr
17. SUNY at Binghamton
Binghamton, NY
B.S. in Psychology
Binghamton’s psychology department enjoys an “exceptional national reputation” in the field. Ranked well inside the Top 100 programs from year to year, SUNY at Binghamton provides a platter of benefits to serious students, including small class sizes, intensive research experiences, collaborative projects, and one-on-one support from advisors. An in the off-chance that you’re interested in graduate study, you can continue on at one of Binghamton’s quality programs in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Clinical Psychology. Students who prefer to proceed right to industry can join Binghamton’s other psychology graduates in industries such as business, law, public affairs, healthcare, and education.
Net Price: $15,572/yr
16. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Psychology Concentration
To many, Harvard University represents one of the top colleges in the nation, characterized by a rich academic history and a long-standing commitment to nurturing the best and brightest. Colleges with good psychology programs combine an informative curriculum with extracurricular opportunities that keep students learning outside the classroom, and Harvard checks all the boxes. Both coursework and research tackle the big questions, melding psychology and philosophy as you study memory, emotion, decision-making, social relationships, and even people’s perception of reality. “Concentrators” in psychology complete rigorous tutorials and seminars, finally choosing an emphasis in either Cognitive Science or Cognitive Neuroscience and Evolutionary Psychology, as well as potentially earning an honors credential and completing a thesis project.
Net Price: $15,095/yr
15. University of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology
Become a “PSYCH Terp” at the University of Maryland, home of the Terrapins. UMD is overflowing with options for curious and inquisitive psychology majors, including research and teaching assistantships. The university supports other experiential learning opportunities as well, and you will have significant freedom to gain credit outside the classroom, whether through internships or service learning ventures. This last option encompasses social justice activities, alternative Spring Break trips, and other volunteer projects related to social services. Students at this good psychology school can also enjoy some interesting campus organizations, such as “Active Minds,” a club that focuses on raising awareness about mental health on college campuses.
Net Price: $14,833/yr
14. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
B.S. in Psychology
Although a professional career in psychology requires a graduate degree, a B.S. in the field will still get you far in business, marketing, communications, education, and select mental health fields. That’s why the University of Florida keeps its program intentionally broad, offering up a list of general courses that will let you pursue a variety of careers. On the other hand, the program also includes a specialization in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience – a track that leans more heavily on the biological and laboratory sciences than the general alternative. UF also favors experiential learning opportunities in the form of research, teaching, and community service; working as an undergrad teaching assistant or boning up on your social skills training with a local organization will more than keep you busy between classes.
Net Price: $14,786/yr
13. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
B.S. in Psychology
Colleges with psychology majors come in all shapes and sizes, but few beat the University of Central Florida in scope. In terms of student enrollment, UCF has the largest psychology department in the entire Western hemisphere, with more than 3,400 undergraduates alone. The psychology department also hosts nearly 200 graduate students and is one of the best-funded programs at the university. Millions of dollars each year support research in social and cross-cultural behaviors, human factors, industrial psychology, and clinical matters, as well as many other areas of interest. Undergraduate students can participate in this research (as assistants or participants, or both) or can spend their time outside of class networking; campus organizations include the Psi Chi Honors Society, the Multicultural Psychology Student Association, and the Western Region Psychology Club.
Net Price: $14,745/yr
12. Amherst College
Amherst, MA
B.A. in Psychology
One of the most difficult aspects of psychological research is that despite the fact that good experiments consider just a few variables, human behavior is actually inextricably complex and nuanced. Amherst College takes this seeming contradiction into consideration, developing a program that is focused on experimental design but covers a wide base of topics. Students can take classes in Stereotypes and Prejudice, Memory, Psychology and the Law, Personality and Political Leadership, and plenty of other interesting topics. Amherst also ushers students straight into the realm of research and houses four on-campus laboratories specific to psych experiments: Social/Personality Laboratory, Cognitive Laboratory, Child Learning and Development Laboratory, and the Physiological Psychology/Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory.
Net Price: $14,687/yr
11. College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology
Unlike many of the other traditionally good schools for psychology, the College of the Ozarks offers academic instruction “from a Biblically informed Christian worldview.” Many students at the college choose psychology as a major because they want to serve their communities and provide religious counseling, and thus integrated religious study is appropriate for this group. Within the core psych courses students can choose from one or more of four elective categories – Directed, Applied, Developmental, or Theory. These options will give you the flexibility to target your experience based on your career objectives, whether you’re interested in counseling, clinical research, or social services.
Net Price: $14,152/yr
10. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
B.A. in Psychology
UVA is one of the top public schools and hosts one of the best psychology programs in the nation. In fact, psychology is one of the most popular majors at the University of Virginia, attracting a horde of undergraduate and graduate students every year. For B.A. students, course options include the Neural Basis of Behavior, Research Methods and Data Analysis, Child Psychopathology, and Brain Systems Involved in Memory. The best students can also apply for The Distinguished Majors Program, which turns their fourth year of study into a two-semester, research-intensive project that culminates in a thesis.
Net Price: $14,069/yr
9. University of California San Diego
San Diego, CA
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology
UC San Diego goes beyond just offering B.A. and B.S. options in psychology. Here, B.S. students can choose to specialize in one of six concentrations: Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, Human Health, Developmental Psychology, Sensation and Perception, or Cognitive Psychology. Regardless of concentration, psych students can explore learning opportunities in undergrad research, internships, or even apprentice teaching. The latter option turns highly capable students into learning assistants for classes in which they have excelled, letting them solidify their knowledge and help others in the process. The UCSD Psychology Department also supports study abroad opportunities and can help you make sure your international credits will transfer back to San Diego.
Net Price: $13,693/yr
8. Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology
Stony Brook’s two psychology degrees provide a broad foundation across a multitude of subjects, and both will adequately prepare you for graduate school. The relevant coursework spans the five essential areas of study: clinical and abnormal psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, cognition and perception, and biopsychology. SBU also emphasizes experiential learning outside the classroom, and students can both network and socialize through the Psi Chi National Honors Society, the Psychology Student Alliance, and the Neuroscience Axis group. Faculty members are also available to help you find psychology-related community service opportunities or internships for credit.
Net Price: $13,352/yr
7. University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
B.A. in Psychology
UCLA attracts students for a variety of reasons, only one of them being the beautiful weather in Southern California. For psychology students, UCLA is a top choice for its selection of degree paths; undergrads can get a B.A. in Psychology, a B.S. in Psychobiology, or a B.S. in Cognitive Science. Plus, extracurricular opportunities abound at UCLA, from the Cognitive Science Student Association to the Undergraduate Research Journal of Psychology. Students can also participate in the annual Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference or even sign up to volunteer as participants in on-campus experiments. The curriculum also creates space for students to complete fieldwork, internships, and assistantships in the surrounding community.
Net Price: $12,510/yr
6. College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, VA
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology
The interdisciplinary psychology degree at William and Mary gives students the option to combine multiple areas of interest under the umbrella of cognition and human behavior. For example, B.S. students might lean heavily on coursework in biology or kinesiology, while B.S. students might sample a great deal of coursework from sociology or anthropology. Regardless of the path you take, the college will give you plenty of opportunities to participate in research with faculty, even at the undergraduate level. Professors have a reputation for both their excellence in research and their attention to students – just two ways William and Mary has earned its position as a college with a good psychology program.
Net Price: $12,406/yr
5. Brigham Young University at Provo
Provo, UT
B.S. in Psychology
Good psychology schools often emphasize research as an important aspect of academics; at BYU, busy labs and active faculty provide plenty of evidence for quality in this regard. Programs are available from the undergraduate to doctoral level and include both general and clinical options. Curious students are regularly involved in projects on family relationships, physical health, neuropsychology, clinical assessment, cognitive development, and more. Undergraduates can participate through the SONA Research System, get help finding internships in the social services sector, or talk to an advisor about graduate school. B.S. students can also join the Psi Chi Honors Society, network with classmates through the Psych Association, or potentially get research published in Intuition, the on-campus academic journal.
Net Price: $12,335/yr
4. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
B.S. in Psychology
The B.S. in Psychology at Georgia Tech offers a versatile program that can launch students’ careers in a variety of industries. Graduates may attend law or medical school, choose another graduate program, or find a job in business, advertising, or computer science. Uniquely, GT incorporates an “International Plan” into its psychology coursework that allows students to develop “global competence” during their studies. In addition to all the typical psych requirements, International Plan members must also take three specified international courses, demonstrate language proficiency, and complete a capstone class that focuses on a global experience. Alternatively, the “Research Option” gives psychology students more targeted training in experimental design – an ideal choice for those who see grad school in their futures.
Net Price: $12,187/yr
3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM
B.S. in Psychology
This tech school has a reputation for programs in science and engineering, but it has plenty to offer outside the “hard sciences” as well. NMIMT is a good school for psychology majors who prefer the B.S. to the B.A. approach. The curriculum requires multiple biology and mathematics courses in addition to a long sequence of psych requirements. You should also note that New Mexico Tech’s general curriculum mandates that all students complete coursework in computer science, chemistry, and physics, so psychology majors will need to be just as good with numbers as words. The psych courses emphasize research and techniques for testing variables, and they typically include lab experiences. The university even has an animal care facility for students who want to conduct independent projects.
Net Price: $11,789/yr
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
B.A. or B.S. in Psychology
The University of North Carolina is well known for touting top academic programs, and its Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is no exception. Students have the option to earn either a B.A. or B.S. in the subject, or tack on a Cognitive Science minor to another academic interest. UNC’s department is rife with extra options for ambitious students; in addition to an Honors Program, psychology majors can also strive for the prestigious (and paid) Karen M. Gil Internship, which offers extensive hands-on training to the school’s brightest future psychologists. Less exclusive – but still fun – activities include the Minority Psychology Student Association, the Neuroscience Club, and the Psi Chi National Honor Society.
Net Price: $10,936/yr
1. CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College
New York, NY
B.A. in Psychology or Industrial/Organizational Psychology
For one of the most affordable psychology programs in the country, choose CUNY Bernard M Baruch College. A net price of just $8,000 a year will keep your student debt low, freeing you to focus on more important matters – like psychology! The university has two options for students interested in human behavior, including a general track and a focused track in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. The latter trades coursework in abnormal and developmental behavior for classes in personality theory, occupational health, and diversity in the workplace. And like all good psychology schools, CUNY supports an almost overwhelming list of elective courses that cater to every interest, including the Psychology of Religion, Political Psychology, and Sexuality.
Net Price: $8,151/yr
Sources:
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About the Author:
Iris Stone began her writing career when she started working as a freelance writer and researcher in 2011. Her freelance business soon took off and she now owns and operates a writing and editing firm that works with clients all across the country. Despite the time it takes to run a business she still does much of the writing herself, and her work has included a variety of content related to education policy, colleges and universities, academic programs, and graduates’ careers. Her interests actually span far beyond writing, and she is currently studying to be a physicist! Check out her Google+ Profile