2026 Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools in Pennsylvania

[Other Research & Experimental Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/research-and-experimental-psychology-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for other research & experimental psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other research & experimental psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Research & Experimental Psychology Schools
Swarthmore College tops our 2026 list of the best value other research & experimental psychology schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the other research & experimental psychology program here. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #2 place for other research & experimental psychology. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Haverford College one of the best values for other research & experimental psychology. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,966 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Temple University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value other research & experimental psychology schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the other research & experimental psychology program here. Soon after graduation, other research & experimental psychology degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,642. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other research & experimental psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for other research & experimental psychology graduates is $24,958. Early-career other research & experimental psychology graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for value in other research & experimental psychology this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $45,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value other research & experimental psychology schools. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Typical student debt for other research & experimental psychology graduates is $16,931. Other Research & Experimental Psychology graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $59,513 early in their careers. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value other research & experimental psychology schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lehigh University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value other research & experimental psychology schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Typical student debt for other research & experimental psychology graduates is $23,008. Early-career other research & experimental psychology graduates make about $70,321. That is a strong return on a $23,008 median debt. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #10 among the best values for other research & experimental psychology. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the other research & experimental psychology program here. Early-career other research & experimental psychology graduates make about $67,556. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.