2027 Best Value Applied Psychology Schools
[Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/applied-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 69 schools to find the best return on investment for applied psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Applied Psychology School for You
Where you study applied psychology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Applied Psychology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Applied Psychology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Applied Psychology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Applied Psychology Schools
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among applied psychology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $65,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $61,726. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Farmingdale State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,175 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $28,904 early in their careers. Set against $20,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Nevada earned it the #5 place for applied psychology. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Granite State College came in at #6 for value in applied psychology this year. Granite State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $7,724, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $26,770. Applied Psychology graduates of Granite State College earn a median of $54,169 early in their careers. Set against $26,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #7 spot for applied psychology value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $23,146. Applied Psychology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the applied psychology program here. Applied Psychology graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $67,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #9 position for value in applied psychology this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $39,412. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #10 spot for applied psychology value this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $29,078. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University placed #12 among the best values for applied psychology. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the applied psychology program here. Applied Psychology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $69,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #13 spot for applied psychology value this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $40,687. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $62,987. That is a strong return on a $40,687 median debt.
Georgia Southern University placed #14 among the best values for applied psychology. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wichita State University placed #15 among the best values for applied psychology. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #16 for value in applied psychology this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $56,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #17 for value in applied psychology this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $25,187. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $74,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Francis Marion University placed #18 among the best values for applied psychology. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Francis Marion University admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Global Campus landed the #19 spot for applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,000. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $31,361. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Colorado State University Global Campus generally make around $68,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #20 position for value in applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $60,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #21 position for value in applied psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $38,759 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $40,706. That is a strong return on a $38,759 median debt.
Bellevue University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Students borrow a median of $24,846 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $61,548. Set against $24,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton placed #23 among the best values for applied psychology. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,742, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $26,000. Applied Psychology graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Canton earn a median of $36,254 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Morrisville State College landed the #24 spot for applied psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Morrisville, Morrisville State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $19,245. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $28,274. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Morrisville State College generally make around $31,903. Set against $28,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Angelo State University came in at #25 for value in applied psychology this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $45,229. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Applied Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s applied psychology value ranking:
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Applied Psychology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
