2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Leading the list is University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, our #1 best value for psychology in Washington. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $17,426. Psychology graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $34,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,426 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #2. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,259. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $33,192. Set against $14,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Washington University earned it the #3 place for psychology. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. 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 psychology graduates is $19,935. Early-career psychology graduates make about $67,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #4 place for psychology. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,672 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $36,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Heritage University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,928 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,550. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Heritage University generally make around $67,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State University landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,500. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,216. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Central Washington University placed #7 among the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $36,964. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Washington University earned the #8 position for value in psychology this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,449 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $32,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,916. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $30,757. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The Evergreen State College landed the #10 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Olympia, The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,264, while out-of-state students pay about $31,905. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,850 in student loans. Psychology graduates of The Evergreen State College earn a median of $26,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #11 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $79,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seattle Pacific University admits about 83% of applicants.
Saint Martins University came in at #12 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Saint Martins University earn a median of $33,509 early in their careers. 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 #13 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,227 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Walla Walla University generally make around $56,616. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Northwest University landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,035. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northwest University generally make around $57,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Whitworth University landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,062. Psychology graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $29,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,652. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,000. Psychology graduates of Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies earn a median of $30,547 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,500. Psychology graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $80,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
City University Of Seattle earned the #18 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,929. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,000. Psychology graduates of City University Of Seattle earn a median of $55,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Whitman College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. In-state tuition and fees average $64,050. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,221. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Whitman College generally make around $32,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.
Gonzaga University came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $33,554 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 26 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
