2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools in Washington. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $17,426 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $34,660. Set against $17,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,932. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Heritage University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,928. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,550. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $67,426. Set against $22,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Washington University earned it the #4 place for general psychology. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $19,628. General Psychology graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $34,594 early in their careers. Set against $19,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,500. General Psychology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $36,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University placed #6 among the best values for general psychology. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $36,964. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Washington University placed #7 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,449 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific Lutheran University earned the #8 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Saint Martins University earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,510 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,125. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $33,509. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants.
Walla Walla University earned the #10 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,227. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Walla Walla University generally make around $56,616. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Pacific University placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $40,264. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest University landed the #12 spot for general psychology value this year. Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Kirkland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,035. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Whitworth University placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,880 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Whitworth University generally make around $29,005. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,652. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies generally make around $30,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $43,173. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Gonzaga University landed the #16 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $33,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Puget Sound came in at #17 for value in general psychology this year. University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $62,898. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $25,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 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.
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-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.
