Applied Psychology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their applied psychology programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for applied psychology students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for applied psychology can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Applied Psychology Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Applied Psychology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than Boston College this year for applied psychology. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 116 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Applied Psychology graduates of Boston College earn a median of $42,384 early in their careers. Boston College graduates carry a median of $17,361 in student loans.
Read more about the applied psychology program at Boston College
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 96 applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $71,497 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from University Of Southern California
University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 51 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $52,641 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
See the full applied psychology program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Students looking for a strong applied psychology program will find one at Northeastern University, which ranked #4. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Applied Psychology graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $58,377 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete this degree.
See the full applied psychology program report for Northeastern University
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 167 applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #6 for applied psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $53,209. Typical student debt for the program is $25,120.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #7 spot for applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 21 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $43,495 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full applied psychology program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pace University New York landed the #8 spot for applied psychology this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 35 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Pace University New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $40,671 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full applied psychology program report for Pace University New York
Arizona State University landed the #9 spot for applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 35 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Applied Psychology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $69,344 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree.
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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide landed the #10 spot for applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 23%. About 66 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $79,874. Students borrow a median of $20,787 to complete this degree.
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Pacific University earned the #11 position for applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Forest Grove, Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Pacific University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Pacific University earn around $65,065 in the first couple years of their career. Pacific University graduates carry a median of $26,170 in student loans.
See the full applied psychology program report for Pacific University
Loyola University Chicago landed the #12 spot for applied psychology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 11 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $67,469. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Loyola University Chicago
Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine placed #13 among the best applied psychology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine awarded about 11 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $67,635 in their early career.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #14 spot for applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 69 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $60,665 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,620.
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Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #15 for 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. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global awarded about 40 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn around $40,706 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $38,759.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Rider University placed #16 among the best applied psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Rider University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Rider University earn around $55,303 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete this degree.
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Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best applied psychology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Winona. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. About 10 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn around $67,111 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,081.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot for applied psychology this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. About 28 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Applied Psychology graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $46,912 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,307.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Farmingdale State College earned the #19 position for applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Farmingdale State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Farmingdale State College earn around $28,904 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,175.
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Arizona State University Skysong earned the #20 position for applied psychology this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 188 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $69,344 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,870.
See the full applied psychology program report for Arizona State University Skysong
Loras College landed the #21 spot for applied psychology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dubuque. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 10 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Loras College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $43,117. Typical student debt for the program is $26,528.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Loras College
Colorado State University Global Campus landed the #22 spot for applied psychology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Denver. There were roughly 18 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Global Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $68,936 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,361 to complete this degree.
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Florida Institute Of Technology placed #23 among the best applied psychology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Melbourne. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 51 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Florida Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Florida Institute Of Technology earn around $64,385 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,000.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Florida Institute Of Technology
Mount St Marys College earned the #24 position for applied psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 48% of students finish within six years. Mount St Marys College awarded about 10 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Mount St Marys College earn around $41,408 in the first couple years of their career. Mount St Marys College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Touro University Worldwide placed #25 among the best applied psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Touro University Worldwide graduates 29% of students within six years. Touro University Worldwide awarded about 28 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Psychology graduates of Touro University Worldwide earn a median of $61,331 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $32,289.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Touro University Worldwide
Rest of the Top 50 Applied Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s applied psychology ranking:
Applied Psychology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 51 schools evaluated.
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).
