by our College Data Analytics Team
[Experimental Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/experimental-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong experimental psychology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for experimental psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study experimental psychology affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Experimental Psychology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Experimental Psychology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in experimental psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in experimental psychology, no school beat Princeton University this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for experimental psychology graduates is $10,888. Early-career experimental psychology graduates make about $47,050. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for experimental psychology. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Experimental Psychology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $23,420 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in experimental psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,708 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Experimental Psychology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $52,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,708 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in experimental psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,384 in student loans. Experimental Psychology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $23,981 early in their careers. Set against $18,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in experimental psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, experimental psychology degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in experimental psychology this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, experimental psychology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $31,172. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value experimental psychology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for experimental psychology graduates is $17,500. Early-career experimental psychology graduates make about $31,986. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Murray State University earned the #8 position for value in experimental psychology this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, experimental psychology degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $23,674. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value experimental psychology schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Early-career experimental psychology graduates make about $34,431. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value experimental psychology schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Early-career experimental psychology graduates make about $91,275. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Ohio State University Newark Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value experimental psychology schools. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Students borrow a median of $22,056 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Early-career experimental psychology graduates make about $35,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #12 position for value in experimental psychology this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, experimental psychology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $32,031. Set against $20,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Arizona ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value experimental psychology schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for experimental psychology graduates is $21,325. Experimental Psychology graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $28,494 early in their careers. Set against $21,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value experimental psychology schools. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Typical student debt for experimental psychology graduates is $12,615. Early-career experimental psychology graduates make about $53,652. Set against $12,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #15 for value in experimental psychology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Early-career experimental psychology graduates make about $59,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #16 spot for experimental psychology value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for experimental psychology graduates is $14,507. Soon after graduation, experimental psychology degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $49,035. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #17 for value in experimental psychology this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Experimental Psychology graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $41,789 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #18 for value in experimental psychology this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Experimental Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $43,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Harvard University placed #19 among the best values for experimental psychology. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Soon after graduation, experimental psychology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $41,501. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value experimental psychology schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for experimental psychology graduates is $21,275. Soon after graduation, experimental psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #21 position for value in experimental psychology this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Experimental Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value experimental psychology schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $15,450 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Soon after graduation, experimental psychology degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $37,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Centenary College placed #23 among the best values for experimental psychology. Set in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,732. Students borrow a median of $25,358 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Experimental Psychology graduates of Centenary College earn a median of $27,933 early in their careers. Set against $25,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Centenary College admits about 83% of applicants.
Yale University earned the #24 position for value in experimental psychology this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Experimental Psychology graduates of Yale University earn a median of $47,874 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value experimental psychology schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the experimental psychology program here. Early-career experimental psychology graduates make about $29,350. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s experimental psychology value ranking:
Experimental Psychology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.