by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of Southern Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in Idaho. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place for general psychology. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,342. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
North Idaho College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,396 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Idaho State University earned it the #5 place for general psychology. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,014. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $25,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Idaho earned the #6 position for value in general psychology this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis Clark State College came in at #7 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,600 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $44,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The College Of Idaho earned the #8 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, The College Of Idaho is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,845. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The College Of Idaho generally make around $34,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of Idaho admits about 49% of applicants.
Boise State University placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,559 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $30,865. Set against $22,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Nazarene University landed the #10 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,824 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,562 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Northwest Nazarene University earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Nazarene University admits about 65% of applicants.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.