by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
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.
Truman State University earned the #1 spot for value among psychology schools in Missouri. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,748. Early-career psychology graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $19,748 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,000. Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri Southern State University earned it the #3 place for psychology. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,609 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $34,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $24,860. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,810 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $43,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Harris Stowe State University earned the #7 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $32,394 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,173. Set against $32,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #8 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,977. Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $56,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,977 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Cottey College came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,562. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,000. Median earnings reach $35,422 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Missouri Western State University placed #10 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,862. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $30,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,188 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $57,316. Set against $23,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #12 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $34,095. That is a strong return on a $27,937 median debt.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Students borrow a median of $25,230 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $36,917. That is a strong return on a $25,230 median debt. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. That is a strong return on a $24,900 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $25,529 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $35,541. Set against $25,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
William Jewell College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,610. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,232. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,200. Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Avila University generally make around $56,844. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,875. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $55,888. Set against $25,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $46,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Lindenwood University earned the #20 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,131. Psychology graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $28,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Missouri Valley College placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,700 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,892 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Missouri Valley College generally make around $44,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Evangel University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,500. Psychology graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $50,075 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington University In St Louis placed #24 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Students borrow a median of $15,450 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,377. Set against $15,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Park University landed the #25 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,717. Psychology graduates of Park University earn a median of $40,249 early in their careers. Set against $22,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
The ranking above is published 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.
