College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in California

42 Colleges in the United States
7,177 Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Degrees Awarded
$60,817 Avg Early-Career Salary

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 73 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology

1

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology. 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 113 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $71,497. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for University Of Southern California

2

California State University Long Beach is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, ranking #2. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 54 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $81,000 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for California State University Long Beach

3
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 122 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $65,541 early in their careers. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Santa Clara University

4

San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, ranking #4. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 15 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for San Jose State University

5
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Students looking for a strong clinical, counseling & applied psychology program will find one at University Of San Francisco, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 204 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,358. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University Of San Francisco

6

Chapman University earned the #6 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 27 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $90,639 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Chapman University

7

Loyola Marymount University landed the #7 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 63 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $84,853 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Loyola Marymount University

8

San Diego State University earned the #8 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 35 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $84,055. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at San Diego State University

9

University Of California San Diego came in at #9 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 202 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $26,953 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at University Of California San Diego

10

California State University Sacramento came in at #10 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 30 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $49,907 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at California State University Sacramento

11

University Of Redlands ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. About 14 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Redlands in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $57,218. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at University Of Redlands

12

Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #12 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from Point Loma Nazarene University earn around $56,660 in the first couple years of their career. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Point Loma Nazarene University

13

Saint Marys College Of California landed the #13 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 64 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $59,760. Typical student debt for the program is $25,041. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Saint Marys College Of California

14

University Of The Pacific ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of The Pacific awarded about 54 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $79,628 early in their careers. University Of The Pacific graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for University Of The Pacific

15

Pepperdine University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 885 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from Pepperdine University earn around $67,205 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,645. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for Pepperdine University

16

California Lutheran University came in at #16 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California Lutheran University awarded about 24 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $72,291 in their early career. California Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from California Lutheran University

17

California State University Monterey Bay earned the #17 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. California State University Monterey Bay graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $84,012 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from California State University Monterey Bay

18

California State University San Bernardino came in at #18 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $47,204 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,958. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for California State University San Bernardino

19

Azusa Pacific University placed #19 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Azusa Pacific University

20

California State University Fresno came in at #20 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 97 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $49,502 in their early career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for California State University Fresno

21
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 1,111 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $57,834 in their early career. National University graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at National University

22

California State University Northridge came in at #22 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 22 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $81,871 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at California State University Northridge

23

Alliant International University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Alliant International University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. There were roughly 377 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Alliant International University in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Alliant International University earn a median of $72,803 early in their careers. Alliant International University graduates carry a median of $21,234 in student loans. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for Alliant International University

24

University Of La Verne earned the #24 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from University Of La Verne earn around $35,364 in the first couple years of their career. University Of La Verne graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University Of La Verne

25

Fresno Pacific University placed #25 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fresno Pacific University awarded about 65 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from Fresno Pacific University earn around $60,890 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Fresno Pacific University

Rest of the Top 50 Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools

These schools also placed among the best for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year:

26
27
Palo Alto University crest
Palo Alto University
Palo Alto, CA
28
29
30
31
Mount St Marys College crest
Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA
32
Simpson University crest
Simpson University
Redding, CA
33
34
35
36
37
Touro University Worldwide crest
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA
38
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
39
40
41
42
43
La Sierra University crest
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

View All Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 73 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options