Looking for the best Associate Degree in Psychology in Pennsylvania? You should consider these top-tier programs and jobs in the psychology field.
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Earning a degree in Pennsylvania in psychology can give you the edge you need in today's economy. With an associate degree, graduates are well-equipped to pursue diverse career paths with the skills needed to move forward in their field.
As a result, individuals who hold an associate degree earn an average of $963 per week, or $3,852 per month and $50,076 per year. Those with an associate degree face 4.6% unemployment, while those with a high school diploma have an unemployment rate of 6.2%.
Psychology Associate Programs for You
Working and Living in Pennsylvania in the Psychology Profession
Completing a psychology degree can open many doors to a range of professions, including counseling, social work, and consulting. Psychology is a diverse field with many different specialties, so your options are endless. You can work in schools, hospitals, or clinics as a therapist or counselor. You could also work for law enforcement agencies as an investigator and help solve crimes. If you’re interested in research, there are also many jobs available at universities or private companies that focus on studying human behavior and cognition.
According to Pennsylvania's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for all occupations is $44,900, or $21.59 an hour. All 5,583,410 employees in Pennsylvania are part of this statistic. According to the BLS, the lowest earners in the state take home $23,120 per year, and the highest earners take home $99,330 per year. For psychologists, the following is a good comparison.
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Psychologists in Pennsylvania
Psychologists Nationally
All Occupations in Pennsylvania
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Psychologists in Pennsylvania and Nationwide
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In terms of cost of living, Pennsylvania is ranked number 27 among 51 states (including Washington, D.C.). A cost of living index measures the average cost of living in the United States against the cost of living in specific regions of the country. Based on a U.S. average of 100, all locations within the country are either above (more expensive) or below (less expensive). In Pennsylvania, the cost of living index currently stands at 97.9, which is 2.1% lower than the national average. See how your cost of living will change if you move to Pennsylvania.
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In the coming decade, the psychology profession is projected to grow at a rate of 2%. The BLS projects that the total employment for the occupation will change from 55,200 in 2020 to 56,300 in 2030. The typical entry-level education for these positions is an associate degree. These are some of the typical job titles of the industry:
Psychologists
Developmental Psychologist
Experimental Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Neuropsychologist
Psychometrist
Psychotherapist
Rehabilitation Psychologist
Social Psychologist
Sports Psychologist
Associate Degrees in Psychology in Pennsylvania
#1 Associate Degrees in Psychology in Pennsylvania
Butler County Community College
Butler, PA
2 years
Online + Campus
Enrollees at Butler County Community College gain foundational knowledge and skills relevant to the psychology field through coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Graduates of the associate in psychology program can apply their earned credits towards a bachelor's degree, certificates, and other educational credentials.
Enrollees benefit from career services, academic advising, and other institutional resources throughout their studies. Online students can receive further guidance through virtual library services and academic tutoring. Campus facilities and lectures are more readily accessible to students who attend the school on campus.
The average financial aid award, the college reports, is $5,195. Students can expect to receive financial aid or loans, as 73% of enrollees are awarded aid and 21% receive loans.
Butler County Community College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Butler, Pennsylvania
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,570
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $9,570
Average Tuition
In-state
$6,690
Out-of-state
$9,690
Retention Rate
63%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
2,984
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
37%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 Associate Degrees in Psychology in Pennsylvania
Community College of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA
2 years
Online + Campus
Students looking for a flexible online associate in psychology should consider Community College of Allegheny County. Students in the psychology program gain industry-relevant knowledge and skills, preparing them for the demands of a psychology career. Upon completion of the associate degree, students can apply their credits towards a bachelor's degree or other educational endeavors.
The college connects students with resources such as academic advising and career resources. Distance learners can access other resources such as virtual library services and academic tutoring. Students who attend the school on campus have easier access to campus amenities and faculty offices.
Online students can expect to receive an average of $5,253 in financial aid awards. Typically, 63% of all degree-seekers receive financial aid, with 16% receiving loans.
Community College of Allegheny County at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,960
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $10,440
Average Tuition
In-state
$7,080
Out-of-state
$10,620
Retention Rate
57%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
13,217
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
48%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#3 Associate Degrees in Psychology in Pennsylvania
Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA
2 years
Online + Campus
Bucks County Community College's associate of arts in psychology is one of 18 associate degree programs offered remotely. Students in the psychology program benefit from industry-relevant coursework, preparing them for future careers in psychology. Upon completion, students can apply their credits towards a bachelor's degree or other educational endeavors.
The college connects psychology students with career services, academic advising, and other success-geared resources. The institution also provides online enrollees with virtual library services and academic tutoring resources, including writing tutoring. Those who attend the school on campus can more easily access campus facilities and professors' offices.
Typically, enrollees receive $5,170 in financial aid awards. The college notes that 50% of all students receive financial aid awards, with 11% receiving loans.
Bucks County Community College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Newtown, Pennsylvania
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $7,920
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $11,880
Average Tuition
In-state
$7,920
Out-of-state
$11,880
Retention Rate
67%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
6,988
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
57%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 Associate Degrees in Psychology in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Johnstown, PA
2 years
Online + Campus
Distance learners looking for a flexible online associate degree program in psychology should consider Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Students in the psychology program gain industry-relevant knowledge and skills, preparing them for the demands of a psychology career. Graduates can also transfer their credits toward a bachelor's degree at a four-year college.
While enrolled, psychology students can access college resources geared towards student success. Other resources available for distance learners include academic tutoring and virtual library services. Those who attend the school on campus can more easily access campus facilities and professors' offices.
The average financial aid award, the college reports, is $5,535. Approximately 87% of all incoming students receive financial aid, with 21% receiving student loans.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Student-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,210
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $9,540
Average Tuition
In-state
$6,540
Out-of-state
$9,960
Retention Rate
57%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
2,456
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
36%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#5 Associate Degrees in Psychology in Pennsylvania
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
2 years
Online + Campus
Distance learners looking for a flexible online associate degree program in psychology should consider Community College of Philadelphia. Students in the psychology program prepare for the demands of the psychology field through instructive study and industry-relevant coursework. Upon completion, students can apply their credits towards a bachelor's degree or other educational endeavors.
While enrolled, students can benefit from career services, academic advising, and other success-centered resources. The institution also provides online enrollees with virtual library services and academic tutoring resources, including writing tutoring. Students who attend the school on campus have easier access to campus amenities and faculty offices.
Online students can expect to receive an average of $6,351 in financial aid awards. Of its enrollees, the college reports that 80% receive financial aid and 34% receive loans.
Community College of Philadelphia at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $7,632
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $11,448
Average Tuition
In-state
$7,632
Out-of-state
$11,448
Retention Rate
54%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
13,672
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Financing an Associate Degree in Psychology
Financial aid is available to help students lower the cost of college. In addition to scholarships and grants, work-study programs are available as financial aid. Some students qualify to receive federal and private student loans to pay for their college education. There are a number of colleges that offer scholarships and financial aid to their students.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
The FAFSA allows degree-seekers to use federal student aid to pay for their degree.
You can find more information about scholarships by clicking on the following link: Collegeboard Scholarships
The school's financial aid department should contact students for scholarship, grant, work-study, and loan opportunities.
Average Cost of Attending College in Pennsylvania
Depending on the institution, tuition and other costs in Pennsylvania may vary. For both the public and private sectors, there are some similarities. Find out whether a public institution is right for you by reviewing the information below.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Pennsylvania vs. National Average
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Pennsylvania
National Average
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How about attending a private college or university? Private colleges often cost students more overall. Here is a graph that will help you learn more about private colleges in Pennsylvania.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Pennsylvania vs. National Average
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Pennsylvania
National Average
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Federal Student Loan Information
Would borrowing student loans help you pay for your education? Before you take out a loan, there are a few things you should consider.
To successfully repay the loan on time, you must ensure that you will be able to make all individual payments on time.
You should think about whether obtaining a degree from a particular school is going to help you in your career goals.
In order to avoid undue hardship once you enter the workforce, it is crucial that you understand the type of repayment schedule that will apply to your loan.
Find out what students typically borrow by reviewing the following data.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
The main difference between an online degree and a degree completed on campus is the amount of money that students pay and the class size. Some of the benefits of online degree programs include their flexibility and affordability. On average, on-campus degrees are more expensive due to student fees. For many students, however, the advantages of attending classes outweigh the disadvantages.
Private and public colleges differ primarily in terms of their academic prestige and value. The cost of education at public and private schools is generally different. The costs of education at public universities tend to be offset by grants and scholarships, while students at private schools are often able to obtain merit scholarships based on their academic performance.
Private colleges are generally smaller, which allows for more one-on-one time with professors. Here are some pros and cons of attending a private versus a public institution.
Pros and Cons
Private
Unique program offerings
Cultural or religious options
Local prestige
Higher costs
Less regulatory oversight
Public
Government-issued tuition costs
Government funding, benefits, and regulation
Oftentimes large classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do psychologists in Pennsylvania make?
The mean annual wage for in-state psychologists is $100,290.
In general, are psychology majors in high demand?
The total number of psychologists is expected to change by 2% from 2020 to 2030.
Can you get an online associate degree in psychology?
You can get an online associate degree in psychology. At least some courses are offered online in today's environment.
What is the timeline for completing an associate degree?
Full-time students typically take two years to complete an associate degree on campus. In general, the completion time of students varies.
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