2027 Best Value Applied Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/applied-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for applied psychology students.
What’s on this page:
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in applied psychology in the United States. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $20,115. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Farmingdale State College earned it the #2 place for applied psychology. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,175 median debt. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Granite State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,724 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,284. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $26,770. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Granite State College generally make around $54,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Suny College At Buffalo one of the best values for applied psychology. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned it the #5 place for applied psychology. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $27,081. 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%.
Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for applied psychology value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $69,344. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #7 spot for applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $40,687 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $41,118. That is a strong return on a $40,687 median debt.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $38,759 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $40,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton landed the #9 spot for applied psychology value this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,742 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $36,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Morrisville State College earned the #10 position for value in applied psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Morrisville, Morrisville State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $19,245 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,274 to complete the applied psychology program here. Applied Psychology graduates of Morrisville State College earn a median of $31,903 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon Institute Of Technology came in at #11 for value in applied psychology this year. Oregon Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Klamath Falls. Students from in state pay about $13,260 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,196. Students borrow a median of $38,546 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $26,591. That is a strong return on a $38,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Belhaven University earned the #12 position for value in applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $41,825 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Belhaven University generally make around $28,316. That is a strong return on a $41,825 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University landed the #13 spot for applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $72,053. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill placed #14 among the best values for applied psychology. Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cobleskill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earn a median of $31,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,490 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Albright College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $39,762. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Mount Olive College placed #16 among the best values for applied psychology. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,366. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $30,798. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Mount Olive College generally make around $45,131. That is a strong return on a $30,798 median debt. Mount Olive College admits about 76% of applicants.
Mount St Marys College landed the #17 spot for applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,564 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Mount St Marys College generally make around $21,473. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University College landed the #18 spot for applied psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Azusa Pacific University College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,360. Students borrow a median of $46,561 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $41,803.
Faulkner University landed the #19 spot for applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,920. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Faulkner University generally make around $26,988. Set against $27,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #20 for value in applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $25,000. Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $43,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Ottawa University Ottawa ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ottawa. Students from in state pay about $35,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $30,416. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $52,174. Set against $30,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Pace University New York placed #22 among the best values for applied psychology. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,510. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University placed #23 among the best values for applied psychology. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $36,092. Applied Psychology graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $44,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Biola University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. Students from in state pay about $48,984 in tuition and fees. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,568 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Biola University earn a median of $83,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,568 median debt. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
Southeastern University landed the #25 spot for applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,950. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,460 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $40,154. That is a strong return on a $23,460 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Applied Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for applied psychology this year:
Other Applied Psychology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Applied Psychology rankings across degree levels:
View All Applied Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
