by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
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.
Northern Virginia Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools in Virginia. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,413. Early-career psychology graduates make about $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Old Dominion University earned it the #2 place for psychology. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $34,303. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes Radford University one of the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,233 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $39,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mary Baldwin College earned it the #4 place for psychology. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $29,562. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $60,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Military Institute landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,250. Psychology graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $44,163 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
George Mason University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $60,303 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University landed the #8 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Early-career psychology graduates make about $54,971. The acceptance rate is 88%.
College Of William And Mary came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,379. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $36,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Virginia State University earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $28,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Virginia Union University earned the #11 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,830. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Virginia Union University generally make around $21,626. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Union University admits about 98% of applicants.
Longwood University placed #12 among the best values for psychology. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $22,656. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
Bridgewater College landed the #13 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,090. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,733 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,102. Set against $26,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Emory And Henry College placed #14 among the best values for psychology. Set in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,000. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $25,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emory And Henry College admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $53,903 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #16 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,989. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $28,887. That is a strong return on a $22,989 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #17 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,500. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $31,123. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Regent University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Psychology graduates carry a median of $33,625 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Regent University earn a median of $77,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,625 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Lynchburg College placed #19 among the best values for psychology. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $36,750. Early-career psychology graduates make about $107,159. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Christopher Newport University landed the #20 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $35,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southern Virginia University earned the #21 position for value in psychology this year. Southern Virginia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buena Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,030. Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Southern Virginia University earn a median of $22,024 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Hollins University earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,798. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.
James Madison University came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $31,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Averett University came in at #24 for value in psychology this year. Averett University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,550. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Averett University generally make around $53,876. Set against $28,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #25 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $65,999 early in their careers. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.