2027 Best Value Applied Psychology Master’s Degree Schools

[Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/applied-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 57 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value applied psychology schools.
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 South Florida Main Campus the best value for a degree in applied psychology in the United States. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $65,597. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $26,988. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $61,726. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Marys University Of Minnesota one of 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $55,465. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in applied psychology will find it at North Carolina A And T State University, which ranked #4. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Buffalo earned it the #5 place for applied psychology. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Arizona State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. 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 $49,202 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University landed the #7 spot for applied psychology value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $45,531. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #8 spot for applied psychology value this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the applied psychology program here. Applied Psychology graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $74,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wichita State University landed the #9 spot for applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #10 for value in applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. 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%.
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. Students borrow a median of $40,687 to complete the applied psychology program here. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $62,987. Set against $40,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Francis Marion University earned the #12 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,577 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Global Campus placed #13 among the best values for applied psychology. Set in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $31,361 median debt. Colorado State University Global Campus admits about 98% of applicants.
George Mason University landed the #14 spot for applied psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. 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.
Bellevue University landed the #15 spot for applied psychology value this year. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,846 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $61,548. Set against $24,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $50,573 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Angelo State University earned the #17 position for value in applied psychology this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #18 for value in applied psychology this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,097. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $20,787. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $79,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Capella University came in at #19 for value in applied psychology this year. 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. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $52,074. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Regis University placed #20 among the best values for applied psychology. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Regis University earn a median of $49,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,773 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Touro University Worldwide came in at #21 for value in applied psychology this year. 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. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $32,289. 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.
Mount Olive College came in at #22 for value in applied psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,798 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $45,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Judson University earned the #23 position for value in applied psychology this year. Judson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,297. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $27,685. Applied Psychology graduates of Judson University earn a median of $45,486 early in their careers. Set against $27,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Loras College landed the #24 spot for applied psychology value this year. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,824. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Loras College earn a median of $43,117 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,528 median debt. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
Albright College earned the #25 position for value in applied psychology this year. 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. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Albright College generally make around $48,838. Set against $39,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% 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:
Other Applied Psychology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value applied psychology schools at other degree levels:
View All Applied Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.