by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send general psychology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Virginia Military Institute the top school for general psychology graduate earnings in Virginia. Virginia Military Institute is a public school located in the town of Lexington. Early-career general psychology graduates from Virginia Military Institute make a median of around $72,223 per year.
University Of Virginia Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,873.
Marymount University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Marymount University typically earn about $67,909 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at College Of William And Mary earned it the #4 place for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. General Psychology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of about $59,796 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the highest-paying schools for general psychology. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. General Psychology graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $56,653 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. General Psychology graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of about $58,977 a year early in their careers.
Shenandoah University landed the #7 spot for general psychology salaries this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Psychology graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of about $56,584 a year early in their careers.
Mary Baldwin College came in at #8 for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Psychology graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of about $42,462 a year early in their careers.
Christopher Newport University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general psychology schools. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. Early-career general psychology graduates from Christopher Newport University make a median of around $52,834 per year.
Randolph Macon College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Randolph Macon College typically earn about $51,332 annually.
Lynchburg College earned the #11 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Lynchburg College typically earn about $42,091 annually.
James Madison University came in at #12 for general psychology graduate earnings this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $57,124 annually.
Old Dominion University landed the #13 spot for general psychology salaries this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Early-career general psychology graduates from Old Dominion University make a median of around $50,828 per year.
Hampton University earned the #14 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Hampton University typically earn about $57,372 annually.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #15 spot for general psychology salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. Early-career general psychology graduates from University Of Mary Washington make a median of around $56,177 per year.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #16 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. General Psychology graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $54,210 a year early in their careers.
Roanoke College placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general psychology graduates from Roanoke College make a median of around $48,535 per year.
Radford University earned the #18 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Radford University is a public school located in the town of Radford. General Psychology graduates of Radford University earn a median of about $47,112 a year early in their careers.
Virginia State University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Virginia State University is a public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. General Psychology graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of about $50,956 a year early in their careers.
Bridgewater College placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,009.
Liberty University earned the #21 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Psychology graduates of Liberty University earn a median of about $40,346 a year early in their careers.
Regent University landed the #22 spot for general psychology salaries this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from Regent University typically earn about $44,449 annually.
Virginia Wesleyan College came in at #23 for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Virginia Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. General Psychology graduates of Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of about $42,412 a year early in their careers.
South Universityvirginia Beach earned the #24 position for general psychology graduate earnings this year. South Universityvirginia Beach is a private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. After graduating, general psychology degree recipients from South Universityvirginia Beach typically earn about $38,844 annually.
Longwood University came in at #25 for general psychology graduate earnings this year. Longwood University is a public school located in the town of Farmville. General Psychology graduates of Longwood University earn a median of about $46,337 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid general psychology ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general psychology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 27 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.