[Community Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/community-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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for community psychology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the community psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of South Carolina Aiken the best value for a degree in community psychology in the United States. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. In-state tuition and fees average $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $27,011. Community Psychology graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $42,220 early in their careers. Set against $27,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.
Clayton State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value community psychology schools. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $35,448. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $27,532. Set against $35,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in community psychology will find it at University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,673 in student loans. Community Psychology graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Set against $5,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
National Louis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in community psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Community Psychology graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $48,351 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in community psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $24,948. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $57,888. That is a strong return on a $24,948 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Louisiana Tech University placed #6 among the best values for community psychology. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $49,261. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #7 for value in community psychology this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Arizona State University earned the #8 position for value in community psychology this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $21,842. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #9 for value in community psychology this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value community psychology schools. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $20,795. Community Psychology graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,204 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value community psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $25,836. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value community psychology schools. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $22,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
University Of Toledo came in at #13 for value in community psychology this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Community Psychology graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #14 spot for community psychology value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $20,031. Community Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University placed #15 among the best values for community psychology. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $29,750. Community Psychology graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Clemson University landed the #16 spot for community psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the community psychology program here. Community Psychology graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #17 among the best values for community psychology. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Community Psychology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value community psychology schools. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,870 to complete the community psychology program here. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $55,394. Set against $22,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Alverno College came in at #19 for value in community psychology this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,086. Students borrow a median of $34,425 to complete the community psychology program here. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $54,165. That is a strong return on a $34,425 median debt. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham came in at #20 for value in community psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,468 in tuition and fees. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Community Psychology graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of $53,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,701 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value community psychology schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $55,052. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value community psychology schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Students borrow a median of $25,969 to complete the community psychology program here. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $60,149. Set against $25,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University came in at #23 for value in community psychology this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Students borrow a median of $28,323 to complete the community psychology program here. Community Psychology graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $40,759 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #24 among the best values for community psychology. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Community Psychology graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $46,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value community psychology schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
These schools also delivered strong value for community psychology this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Community Psychology rankings across degree levels:
View All Community Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
