[Community Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/community-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for community psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in community psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Arizona State University the best value for a degree in community psychology in the United States. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in community psychology will find it at University Of South Carolina Aiken, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $27,011. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $42,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for community psychology. 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. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Clayton State University one of the best values for community psychology. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Students borrow a median of $35,448 to complete the community psychology program here. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $27,532. That is a strong return on a $35,448 median debt. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in community psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $21,439. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $35,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #6 position for value in community psychology this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $57,888. Set against $24,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University earned the #7 position for value in community psychology this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans. Community Psychology graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,204 early in their careers. Set against $20,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for community psychology value this year. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #9 for value in community psychology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the community psychology program here. Community Psychology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #10 for value in community psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $29,242. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo earned the #11 position for value in community psychology this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. 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. Set against $24,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Alverno College came in at #12 for value in community psychology this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $34,425. Community Psychology graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $54,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,425 median debt. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
Martin University earned the #13 position for value in community psychology this year. Martin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,200. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $46,037.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value community psychology schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the community psychology program here. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #15 among the best values for community psychology. 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. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $26,824. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $22,888. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Avila University came in at #16 for value in community psychology this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,200. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #17 among the best values for community psychology. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the community psychology program here. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #18 spot for community psychology value this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $23,742. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $55,793. Set against $23,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Prescott College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value community psychology schools. Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,490. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $27,230. Community Psychology graduates of Prescott College earn a median of $42,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,230 median debt. Prescott College admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #20 for value in community psychology this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $19,000. Community Psychology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $55,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value community psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value community psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $24,701. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $50,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham admits about 95% of applicants.
Point Park University earned the #23 position for value in community psychology this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,570 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,323 to complete the community psychology program here. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $40,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #24 spot for community psychology value this year. 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. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $46,778. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern University placed #25 among the best values for community psychology. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $78,551. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in community psychology:
Explore the best-value community psychology schools at other degree levels:
View All Community Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
