The purpose of a psychology degree is to help you understand human behaviors. From mental health careers to HR, there is a wide range of psychology careers you can access after completing a degree.
If attending classes on-campus isn’t practical because of distance or other obligations, your best option is to sign up for an online program. A growing number of schools offer degrees that you can complete remotely, and distance learning gives you access to a larger selection of programs to choose from.
We’ve put together a list of the best online programs for psychology.
Table of Contents
Methodology
We’ve researched different schools with online psychology programs and selected the top ten best options based on tuition, admission rate, and graduation rate. We used data from the National Center for Education Statistics for tuition and fees.
We also looked at factors like the quality of the instruction, the reputation of the school, and any perks that make the school stand out, like student services or coursework in innovative areas.
We looked at the cost of out-of-state tuition to compare the different schools. One of the advantages of distance learning is that you can enroll in a school anywhere in the country. We took the cost of books and supplies into consideration but didn’t account for the cost of living accommodations since you can study from home with these online programs.
Here’s how we awarded points to the different programs:
Tuition and fees:
- Under $25,000: 3 points
- $26,000 to $30,000: 2 points
- Above $30,000: 1 point
Admission rate:
- Above 80%: 3 points
- 65 to 79%: 2 points
- Under 64%: 1 point
Graduation rate:
- Above 90%: 4 points
- 80 to 89%: 3 points
- 70 to 79%: 2 points
- 50 to 69%: 1 point
- Under 50%: 0 point
| School name | Out-of-state tuition + books and supplies | Admission rate | Graduation rate | Total points |
| Fort Hays State University | $16,000 | 91% | 71% | 8 |
| Rowan University | $24,000 | 74% | 70% | 7 |
| Arizona State University | $27,000 | 86% | 67% | 6 |
| University of Florida | $29,000 | 36% | 87% | 6 |
| Oregon State University | $32,000 | 82% | 62% | 5 |
| Loyola University | $46,000 | 67% | 74% | 5 |
| Eastern Washington University | $26,000 | 95% | 45% | 5 |
| Trine University | $34,000 | 81% | 54% | 5 |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | $31,000 | 97% | 43% | 5 |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | $22,000 | 79% | 43$ | 5 |
Top 10 Online Schools for Psychology
Here are the best options to study psychology online.
#10. University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, LA
Tuition and fees: $22,000
The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The emphasis on liberal arts prepares you for research and graduate studies, but you can also pursue this program if you want to work in a clinical setting or in a field like HR.
This program includes a total of 120 credit hours, with 36 credit hours to major in psychology. The University of Louisiana at Monroe stands out thanks to coursework that covers the latest research in the field of psychology. You can study evolutionary psychology or positive psychology to catch up on the latest trends in this field.
These innovative classes are interesting if you want to focus on research or are a professional who would like to continue their education.
#9. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR
Tuition and fees: $31,000
The Oregon Institute of Technology has developed a BS in Applied Psychology by following the standards of the American Psychology Association. You’ll study different areas with this online degree, including developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, counseling, research, and behavior modifications.
Obtaining a Bachelor of Science is a more practical and scientific approach to studying psychology. This applied program focuses on teaching you concepts you can use in real-world situations. There is a wide range of career options available after completing this degree, including therapist, teacher, research scientist, market researcher, and more.
You can choose different electives in fields in education, health, or business, depending on your professional goals.
It can be difficult to gain hands-on experience while studying online. This program includes an externship credit that you will have to earn to graduate. You can complete your externship anywhere in the country with a business or organization that will give you the opportunity to apply what you learned.
#8. Trine University
Angola, IN
Tuition and fees: $34,000
Trine University is a private school accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. You can apply for a Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology and complete this degree entirely online.
This program focuses on behavioral sciences. You’ll learn about ethical issues in psychology and develop the skills you need to analyze human behavior. Here are some areas you will study:
- Forensic psychology
- Abnormal psychology
- Addiction
- Counseling
- Human sexuality
- Family
If you would like to pursue a career in forensic psychology, Trine University offers a criminal justice program you can complete online. It’s possible to earn a BS with a double major in psychology and criminal justice online.
Trine University is a good option if you’re looking for flexibility. You can review the course materials on your own schedule, and there are start dates every two months.
#7. Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA
Tuition and fees: $26,000
You can earn a BS in Health Psychology at Eastern Washington University. There is also a BA in Addiction Studies that is worth considering if you would like to work as a counselor.
The Health Psychology degree prepares for a career in social services or research. You’ll learn about physical health and the psychological factors that affect it. It’s a hot topic in the field of healthcare, and more providers are developing programs to connect with patients and offer a more personalized approach to care.
This online degree emphasizes research methods and prepares you to conduct research on your own. You’ll study different topics related to psychology and healthcare, including communication, health and sexuality, drug addiction, and more.
This school has received accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. It’s a flexible option with four start dates each year and online and in-person options for your classes.
#6. Loyola University
Chicago, IL
Tuition and fees: $46,000
You can apply to Loyola University to complete a BA in Applied Psychology online. The scope of this online psychology program prepares you for the corporate world with coursework in business psychology.
You’ll also learn about social psychology, industrial psychology, and how to conduct studies. It’s an ideal online program if you would like to pursue a career in management, HR, training, coaching, and similar areas. It’s a flexible program where you can take all your classes online or decide to complete some of the courses on-campus.
Loyola University is a private university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It launched its online program in 1998, and instructors have years of experience with designing and delivering course material online.
It’s a small online program with only seven different degrees offered. This university is an excellent option if you would prefer smaller class sizes since there are a little over 16,000 students enrolled and a student to faculty ratio of 14:1.
This school stands out thanks to the quality of the education offered, its faculty, and access to student services for remote students.
#5. Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR
Tuition and fees: $32,000
Oregon State University is a flexible option since you can complete your psychology degree online or opt for a mix of in-person and online instruction.
This online school is an excellent option if you’re looking to improve your written, oral, and scientific research skills. The instructors will help you develop your critical and creative thinking abilities, and a lot of the coursework focuses on problem-solving.
The OSU College of Liberal Arts has one of the best online programs to study liberal arts. This program stands out thanks to its faculty. The instructors are professionals who have completed research in the field they are teaching.
We also recommend OSU because of the virtual resources available to remote students. Opting for an online program often makes accessing on-campus resources difficult, but OSU has virtual career guidance resources, tutoring, and more.
#4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Tuition and fees: $29,000
The University of Florida offers an online program that explores the natural and social science aspects of psychology. You will earn a bachelor’s degree in Psychology after completing a total of 30 credit hours in psychology coursework.
You will take classes that cover a wide range of topics, including:
- General psychology
- Abnormal psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Behavior analysis
- Physiological psychology
- Lab methods
- Statistics
- Mathematics
- Biological sciences
The University of Florida is an interesting choice for your online psychology degree because this school puts an emphasis on preparing students for the workplace and for continuing their studies at a graduate level. It’s one of the best degree programs if you want a solid foundation you can use to continue studying psychology in the context of law at a graduate level.
The University of Florida is a leader in online education, with more than 200 degrees offered 100% online. You can complete this undergraduate psychology program entirely online with instructors who have plenty of experience with this format.
#3. Arizona State University
Phoenix, AZ
Tuition and fees: $27,000
Arizona State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree that you can complete online. It’s one of the top online programs for developing critical thinking and research skills. It will prepare you for working in a diverse workplace.
You’ll study different areas like clinical psychology, cognitive systems, social psychology, or cross-cultural psychology. You can also pursue coursework that will help you explore the connection between psychology and law.
It’s a program that prepares you for a wide range of careers by emphasizing research methods and teaching you about maths and statistics. The coursework on social and cross-cultural psychology adds value to this online degree since you will learn to take each individual’s unique background when applying what you’ve learned.
You can complete this degree entirely online, but there are opportunities to go further with internships and research if you’re near the campus.
#2. Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
Tuition and fees: $24,000
You can earn a BA in Psychology by studying remotely with Rowan University. This program uses the guidelines developed by the American Psychology Association, which is ideal if you want to work in a clinical setting.
This degree is also a good option if you want to work in social services, marketing, or the nonprofit sector. You can decide to pursue a graduate degree to find work in the mental health field after completing this program.
You’ll complete a total of 33 credit hours for your major in psychology. Here are a few of the courses you’ll have to take:
- Psychology of scientific thinking
- Psychology as a profession and practice
- Development psychopathology
- Research methods in psychology
- Health psychology
Rowan University is an interesting choice if you’re looking for a flexible option for online learning. You can complete the 33 credit hours for your psychology major online with Rowan University.
You can complete the remaining 27 hours for your BA through a program called Rowan Global. It’s a partnership with other campuses that offer lower tuition rates. You can decide to attend classes in person at different Rowan College locations or sign up for online classes through these colleges.
#1. Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS
Tuition and fees: $16,000
Fort Hays State University offers one of the top online science programs if you want to pursue a career in mental health or counseling. You can obtain a Bachelor’s in Psychology online that includes a mix of theory and practical skills.
You’ll complete 30 credit hours of psychology coursework and 12 credit hours for your elective. It’s a flexible program since you can choose to take more psychology classes for your elective or combine your PSYCH major with another area of study aligned with your professional goals.
The program includes coursework in the following areas:
- General psychology
- Cognitive psychology
- Abnormal psychology
- Child and developmental psychology
- Statistics
- Neuropsychology
Fort Hays State University has an award-winning learning program. This school focuses on offering quality education with more than 200 different online programs. It’s an excellent value for your money, and the online psychology program will prepare you for a career as a mental health professional or counselor.
You can decide to pursue a graduate degree on-campus with Fort Hays State University to access unique training opportunities thanks to the Psychological Screening Clinic, where graduate students can get some hands-on experience with diagnosis and treating patients.
Best Careers for Psychology Majors
What can you do with a degree in psychology? Here are some of the most popular career options for psychology majors.
Psychologist
Average salary: $66,000 to $160,000
A psychologist can practice in a clinical setting or as an independent mental health professional. It’s a profession with a high demand and a wide range of opportunities for specialization.
Human Resources
Average salary: $77,000 to $120,000
As an HR employee, your role is to oversee processes like recruiting and training. Your knowledge of psychology will help you create a positive workplace.
Guidance Counselor
Average salary: $39,000 to $84,000
Guidance counselors work with high school or college students to help them create a career plan. You can work with younger students to help them acquire the skills they need to succeed.
Market Research Analyst
Average salary: $35,000 to $81,000
Market research analysts use their research skills to extract actionable insights about a product or market. They play a crucial role when a brand launches a new product.
