by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Bunker Hill Community College the best value for a degree in psychology in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,256. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #2 place for psychology. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,394 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $38,169 early in their careers. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salem State University earned it the #3 place for psychology. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,435 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $56,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Fitchburg State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,125. Psychology graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $37,545 early in their careers. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bay Path College earned it the #5 place for psychology. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $29,399. Early-career psychology graduates make about $61,738. Set against $29,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Massasoit Community College came in at #6 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,833 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,938. Set against $10,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bridgewater State University landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $35,718. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Holyoke Community College came in at #8 for value in psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $9,763. Psychology graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Framingham State University came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,810 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $55,809 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,925 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $52,068. That is a strong return on a $25,925 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University placed #11 among the best values for psychology. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,501. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $54,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Williams College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $53,652. That is a strong return on a $13,416 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public school located in the town of North Adams. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,436, compared with $21,381 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts generally make around $32,855. Set against $25,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cape Cod Community College earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,000, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,669. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College generally make around $47,939. That is a strong return on a $14,669 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #16 for value in psychology this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,004. Psychology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $57,905 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #17 spot for psychology value this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a large public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,596. Early-career psychology graduates make about $46,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #18 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $32,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Amherst College earned the #19 position for value in psychology this year. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,800 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $45,786 early in their careers. Set against $10,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #20 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $49,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,997 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $51,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Simmons College landed the #22 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,678 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $68,173 early in their careers. Set against $26,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
American International College came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of American International College earn a median of $51,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Wellesley College landed the #24 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,283. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Gordon College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. Students from in state pay about $30,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,623 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,097. Set against $25,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychology value ranking:
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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
