Looking for the best Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in Washington? You should consider these top-tier undergraduate programs and jobs in the psychology field.
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The best degrees in Washington for psychology can provide you with the tools you need to excel in your career and improve your quality of life. The knowledge that you gain may lead to a preferred position in your desired field. Bachelor's students are well-prepared to pursue diverse career paths by learning the skills required to move forward in their careers.
Those who graduate from a bachelor's program are more likely to be employed than those with only a high school diploma, who face a 6.2% unemployment rate.
Psychology Bachelor's Programs for You
Working and Living in Washington in the Psychology Profession
Psychology degree programs are designed to help you gain an understanding of human behavior and mental processes. As a psychology major, you’ll get a solid general education, a broad understanding of many aspects of the human condition, and the skills required to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. Classes in a psychology program may include an introduction to psychology, childhood development and socialization, and abnormal psychology.
In Washington, the median salary is $50,450 per year, or $24.25 an hour. This fact applies to all the 3,205,930 employees in Washington. In general, the lowest 10% of earners make $30,460 a year. The highest 10% make $127,470 per year. Below you will find a comparison of the wages for psychologists in Washington.
Key
Psychologists in Washington
Psychologists Nationally
All Occupations in Washington
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Psychologists in Washington and Nationwide
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Among 51 states (including Washington, D.C.), Washington is ranked number 40 on the cost of living index. A cost of living index measures the average cost of living in specific states of the U.S. Based on a U.S. average of 100, all locations within the country are either above (more expensive) or below (less expensive). The cost of living index for Washington is 113.9, which is 13.9% higher than the national average. Moving to Washington? Compare the cost of living here to see if it's the right decision for you.
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The psychologist occupation is expected to increase by 2% over the next decade. There is a projected change from 55,200 in 2020 to 56,300 in 2030, according to the BLS. Entry-level education required for these positions generally consists of a master's degree. There are a number of typical job titles, including:
Psychologists
Developmental Psychologist
Experimental Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Neuropsychologist
Psychometrist
Psychotherapist
Rehabilitation Psychologist
Social Psychologist
Sports Psychologist
Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology in Washington
#1 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Washington
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA
4 years
Online + Campus
A leader in hybrid education, Central Washington University supports 192 bachelor's degree programs, 25 of which are available online. Of these online programs, the bachelor's in psychology stands out as a wise option for students seeking flexible, industry-relevant study. Learners can apply their knowledge and skills to graduate-level studies in psychology.
The college supports students through institutional resources, including career services and academic advising. The college provides numerous funding opportunities to eligible students, including scholarships and fellowships. The institution reports that 90% of all enrollees receive aid, with an average financial aid package being $6,774.
Central Washington University at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Admission Rate: 85%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,318
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $21,999
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $38,900
Average Tuition
In-state
$6,475
Out-of-state
$22,551
Retention Rate
70%
Admission Rate
86%
Students Enrolled
11,174
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
97%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#2 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Washington
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA
4 years
Online + Campus
Eastern Washington University leads in hybrid education, supporting 84 bachelor's degree programs, 33 of which are available online. The school's bachelor of arts in psychology prepares students for the demands of the psychology field through rigorous study. Psychology students can pursue industry-relevant careers or go on to study at the graduate level.
Throughout their studies, undergraduates can access institutional resources geared towards student success. Learners can connect with the Office of Financial Aid to explore funding opportunities, such as scholarships, fellowships, and federal financial aid. The average financial aid package is $7,216, with 96% of all enrollees receiving some form of aid.
Eastern Washington University at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Admission Rate: 96%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,543
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $24,074
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $37,700
Average Tuition
In-state
$6,707
Out-of-state
$24,676
Retention Rate
71%
Admission Rate
79%
Students Enrolled
12,349
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#3 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Washington
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA
4 years
Campus
With its main campus in Kirkland, Northwest University facilitates in-person and online learning across 42 bachelor's degree programs. The school's bachelor's in psychology introduces students to foundational skills and knowledge while also building general skills such as communication and critical thinking. Students can apply their learnings to a psychology-specific career or towards a graduate degree.
The college connects students with institutional resources throughout their studies. Learners can connect with the Office of Financial Aid to explore funding opportunities, such as scholarships, fellowships, and federal financial aid.
Northwest University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private, nonprofit, four-year
Admission Rate: 93%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 11-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $32,500
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $32,500
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $39,900
Average Tuition
In-state
$33,500
Out-of-state
$33,500
Retention Rate
83%
Admission Rate
93%
Students Enrolled
1,184
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
27%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#4 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Washington
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA
4 years
Campus
Pacific Lutheran University operates a main campus in Tacoma, Washington, offering a total of 47 bachelor's programs in both face-to-face and online formats. The school's bachelor's in psychology stands out as a competitive option for students looking to succeed in the psychology field. After graduating, students can pursue careers or postgraduate study relevant to the psychology field.
Psychology students can access institutional support for the duration of the program. Students can meet with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities and determine their eligibility.
Pacific Lutheran University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private, nonprofit, four-year
Admission Rate: 86%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 11-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $43,264
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $43,264
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $39,200
Average Tuition
In-state
$45,440
Out-of-state
$45,440
Retention Rate
80%
Admission Rate
86%
Students Enrolled
2,907
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
98%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#5 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology in Washington
Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA
4 years
Campus
Saint Martin's University, located in Lacey, Washington, provides 28 bachelor's degree programs in dual modalities. For those interested in the psychology field, the school's bachelor's in psychology is a wise choice. The program prepares students for their postgraduate path, whether that be a psychology-specific career or graduate studies.
Psychology students benefit from institutional support throughout their studies. The financial aid office can assist students in connecting with funding opportunities and determine their eligibility.
Saint Martin's University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private, nonprofit, four-year
Admission Rate: 96%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 12-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $38,150
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $38,150
Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $41,000
Average Tuition
In-state
$39,500
Out-of-state
$39,500
Retention Rate
76%
Admission Rate
94%
Students Enrolled
1,638
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
43%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Financing a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
College can be financed in many ways through financial aid. Financial aid includes scholarships, grants, fellowships, and work-study programs. Many students are eligible to receive federal and private student loans as well as scholarships. The college's financial aid office works with applicants to find scholarships and grants for applicants.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Students should contact the school's financial aid department to learn about any scholarship, grant, work-study, and loan opportunities.
Average Cost of Attending College in Washington
The cost of education in Washington will vary based on the college or university you attend. The private sectors and the public sectors share a number of similarities. Review the information below to help determine whether attending a public institution is right for you.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Washington vs. National Average
Key
Washington
National Average
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What is it like to attend a private college or university? As a general rule, private colleges charge more. Find out more about private colleges in Washington by looking at the following graph:
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Washington vs. National Average
Key
Washington
National Average
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Federal Student Loan Information
Do you plan to take out student loans to fund your degree? Prior to obtaining a loan, it is important to take a few things into consideration.
When it comes time to repay the loan, you must ensure that you will be able to make all payments on time.
Think carefully about whether obtaining a degree from a particular university is going to help you meet your career objectives.
To avoid unnecessary hardship once you have entered the workforce, it is crucial to understand the type of repayment schedule applied to your loans.
You can review the data below to determine what students typically borrow.
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
A degree earned online and a degree completed in person may differ in regard to cost and class size. Advantages of an online degree program typically include flexibility, affordability, and convenience. The reason on-campus degrees are typically more expensive is due to student fees, which are generally optional for distance students. However, there are a number of advantages to attending in-person classes.
There are a number of differences between public colleges and private colleges. In general, private schools charge more in tuition than public schools. While public colleges may provide grants and scholarships to cover the cost of tuition, private schools often offer merit scholarships to students with high academic performance.
The size of private colleges is generally smaller, allowing students to connect with professors one-on-one. An overview of the pros and cons of attending a private institution versus a public institution is provided below.
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
In Washington, how much does a psychologist make?
There is a mean annual wage of $105,640 for psychologists in the state.
In today's environment, are psychology majors in high demand?
The total number of psychologists is expected to change by 2% from 2020 to 2030.
How do you get an online bachelor's degree in psychology?
How long does it take to successfully complete a bachelor's degree?
It typically takes full-time students four years to earn a bachelor's degree. While completion time will vary from student to student, it will take part-time students longer to complete the program.
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