2026 Best Value Applied Psychology Master’s Degree Schools
[Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/applied-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied psychology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 113 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value applied psychology schools.
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2026 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
For return on investment in applied psychology, no school beat University Of South Florida Main Campus this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $21,829. Applied Psychology graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $65,597 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar University earned it the #2 place for applied psychology. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $61,726 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in applied psychology will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the applied psychology program here. Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in applied psychology will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $25,943. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $56,723. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned it the #5 place for applied psychology. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,202. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #7 position for value in applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $29,078. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $50,715. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Wichita State University landed the #8 spot for applied psychology value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Global Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,000. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $31,361. Applied Psychology graduates of Colorado State University Global Campus earn a median of $68,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Francis Marion University earned the #10 position for value in applied psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,170, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #11 for value in applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $40,687 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $62,987. That is a strong return on a $40,687 median debt.
George Mason University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $23,529. Applied Psychology graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $60,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $21,237. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $45,229. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Huntington University came in at #14 for value in applied psychology this year. Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $31,870 in tuition and fees. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Huntington University generally make around $49,079. That is a strong return on a $28,332 median debt. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University landed the #15 spot for applied psychology value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $45,531. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Touro University Worldwide ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,640. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $32,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Touro University Worldwide generally make around $61,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University earned the #17 position for value in applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $57,354. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide placed #18 among the best values for applied psychology. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $79,874 early in their careers. Set against $20,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College placed #19 among the best values for applied psychology. Set in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,366. Students borrow a median of $30,798 to complete the applied psychology program here. Applied Psychology graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $45,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Olive College admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #20 for value in applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,974 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $50,573. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #21 among the best values for applied psychology. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,797 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $62,903. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
Capella University placed #22 among the best values for applied psychology. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $35,998. Applied Psychology graduates of Capella University earn a median of $52,074 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #23 for value in applied psychology this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #24 among the best values for applied psychology. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $55,465. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Tarleton State University came in at #25 for value in applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $23,222. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $43,238. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Applied Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s applied psychology value ranking:
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), 2026 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 · 113 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
