Looking for the best Doctorate Degree in Psychology in Washington? You should consider these top-tier PhD programs and jobs in the psychology field.
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Graduates of the best degrees in Washington for psychology have both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Graduates with a doctoral degree can work in diverse fields. There are many opportunities for individuals who wish to move forward in their careers after earning a doctorate.
With a doctoral degree, individuals earn approximately $1,909 per week on average, which translates to approximately $7,636 per month and $99,268 annually. With a doctoral degree, unemployment is 1.5%, versus 6.2% for those with a high school diploma.
Psychology PhD Programs for You
Working and Living in Washington in the Psychology Profession
A psychology degree can be very useful in a number of different careers. The most common jobs for someone with a psychology degree are counselor and therapist. Other common positions include caseworker, research assistant, and human resources manager. There are a number of courses that are typically included in a psychology degree program. These courses can cover topics such as human development, abnormal psychology, and research methods. Students will also typically take courses in statistics and data analysis.
The average annual salary in Washington is $50,450, or $24.25 per hour. All 3,205,930 employees in Washington are included in this statistic. Typically, the lowest 10% of earners make $30,460 annually, while the highest 10% earn $127,470. The following shows the earnings 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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A report by MERIC ranked Washington number 40 out of 51 states (including Washington D.C.) on the cost of living index. The index measures the national average cost of living against specific states. The U.S. average is measured as 100, and all locations in the U.S. are either above (more expensive) or below (less expensive) that average. The cost of living index for Washington is 113.9, which is 13.9% higher than the national average. Determine whether Washington is the right state for you by comparing the cost of living to that of other states.
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A 2% growth in psychologists is projected for the next ten years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment to grow from 55,200 in 2020 to 56,300 in 2030. Master's degrees are typically required for entry-level positions in this field. Typical job titles include the following:
Psychologists
Developmental Psychologist
Experimental Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Neuropsychologist
Psychometrist
Psychotherapist
Rehabilitation Psychologist
Social Psychologist
Sports Psychologist
Doctoral Degrees in Psychology in Washington
#1 Doctoral Degrees in Psychology in Washington
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA
4 years
Online + Campus
The University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers a top-ranked, online PhD in psychology program. With flexible enrollment options, the public school helps degree-seekers earn a doctorate. Doctoral students receive library access, research support, and career services.
The psychology program requires a minimum of credits of doctoral coursework. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates conduct research for their dissertations. As the highest degree in Psychology, the doctorate trains graduates for academic, research, and leadership careers.
Doctoral students who enroll at the accredited institution qualify for fellowships, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid. Reach out to the psychology program to learn more about admission requirements.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 3,931
Online Master's Programs: 10
Online Doctoral Programs: Data not available
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $18,198
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$10,629
Out-of-state
$37,998
Retention Rate
93%
Admission Rate
56%
Students Enrolled
48,149
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
11%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#2 Doctoral Degrees in Psychology in Washington
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
4 years
Online + Campus
Washington State University offers a doctor of philosophy in psychology program through an online learning format. At the public university, degree-seekers engage in online classes to earn a doctorate. Doctoral students also receive research support throughout the program.
Learners complete credits of doctoral coursework in the psychology program. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates choose a dissertation topic and conduct research in their specialty area. With a psychology doctorate, graduates work in academia, research positions, and leadership roles.
At the accredited institution, doctoral students qualify for several forms of financial aid. Contact the Psychology program to learn more about doctoral admission requirements.
Washington State University at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 6,592
Online Master's Programs: 12
Online Doctoral Programs: Data not available
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $11,493
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$10,202
Out-of-state
$25,145
Retention Rate
81%
Admission Rate
80%
Students Enrolled
31,159
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
28%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#3 Doctoral Degrees in Psychology in Washington
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA
4 years
Campus
The PhD in clinical psychology program at Seattle Pacific University enrolls online learners. Thanks to a flexible format, the private institution makes it easier to complete a doctorate. Doctoral students also benefit from support services like career advising.
In the psychology program, graduate learners complete credits of advanced classes. Doctoral candidates move through the program by passing exams and researching a dissertation project. As the terminal degree in psychology, the program prepares graduates for academic, research, and industry positions.
At the accredited institution, online doctoral students qualify for scholarships, federal loans, and other forms of financial aid. Reach out to the program to learn more about transfer credit policies, research support, and admission requirements.
Seattle Pacific University at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 337
Online Master's Programs: Data not available
Online Doctoral Programs: Data not available
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $30,636
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$46,728
Out-of-state
$46,728
Retention Rate
77%
Admission Rate
91%
Students Enrolled
3,601
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
94%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Financing a Doctoral Degree in Psychology
There are many opportunities for financial aid to help pay for college. Many opportunities for financial aid help students cover college costs. Some degree-seekers qualify for federal and private student loans to pay for school. There are some colleges that offer scholarships and financial aid.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
The FAFSA allows degree-seekers to use federal student aid to cover costs.
You can find more information about scholarships by clicking on the following link: Collegeboard Scholarships
Please ask your school's financial aid department about scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loan options.
Average Cost of Attending College in Washington
Washington colleges charge varying tuition rates. The public and private sectors do, however, share a number of similarities. Please review the information below to determine whether attending a public institution is the right choice for you.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Washington vs. National Average
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National Average
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Have you ever considered attending a private college? Tuition at private schools is often more expensive. Please refer to the following graph to learn more about the private colleges in Washington.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Washington vs. National Average
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Washington
National Average
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Federal Student Loan Information
Have you considered borrowing student loans to pay for your education? If you are thinking about taking out a loan, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
As long as you can make all the payments on time, then you can be confident that you will be able to repay the loan.
The educational path you are considering should be in alignment with your career goals.
You should ensure that you understand the type of repayment schedule that will apply to your loan after you graduate.
Take a look at the following data to determine how much 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
The major differences between an online degree and a degree completed on campus are the cost and the class sizes. Online degree programs have the advantage of being flexible, affordable, and convenient. The reason on-campus degrees are typically more expensive is that student fees are optional for distance students. There are a number of benefits that can be gained from attending classes in person.
There are a number of differences between public colleges and private colleges. Private colleges tend to be more expensive than public schools. You can use research grants and scholarships to help cover the cost of attending a public college. Students at private schools are often able to obtain merit scholarships based on their academic performance.
It is common for private colleges to have smaller class sizes, allowing students to connect with professors directly. Consider the pros and cons of attending a private institution versus a public one.
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 Washington make?
In-state psychologists make a mean annual salary of $105,640.
What is demand like for psychology majors?
The total number of psychologists is expected to increase by 2% from 2020 to 2030.
Are there any options for earning a doctoral degree in psychology online?
There are many options for earning an online doctoral degree in psychology. As part of their offerings, most schools deliver at least some online courses.
How long does it usually take to complete a doctoral degree?
An average doctorate takes 4-6 years to complete for full-time students. The completion time will be longer for part-time students.
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