by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 82 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.
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools in Texas. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,531. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,557. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #3 place for psychology. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,537 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $44,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $7,743. Early-career psychology graduates make about $19,552. Set against $7,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at El Paso Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $5,400. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $20,644. That is a strong return on a $5,400 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $60,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,058. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #8 among the best values for psychology. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Del Mar College placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #10 for value in psychology this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $13,956 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,930. Set against $13,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #11 among the best values for psychology. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College earned the #12 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,503 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $25,076 early in their careers. Set against $18,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University earned the #13 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,134. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $61,714. That is a strong return on a $25,134 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,359 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $48,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Odessa College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $9,087. Psychology graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $8,600. Early-career psychology graduates make about $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #18 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $27,627. That is a strong return on a $18,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #19 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,751 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $60,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $12,505 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Rice University earn a median of $41,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #21 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $35,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $17,897. Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $32,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Texas Womans University came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $53,420. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Midwestern State University placed #24 among the best values for psychology. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $29,096. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Paris Junior College earned the #25 position for value in psychology this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. In-state tuition and fees average $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $8,846. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.