Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

Evan Thompson
By
Updated on April 23, 2025
Edited by
Want to major in psychology? Discover the top online schools for psychology, along with job growth projections and salary data for the field.

Psychology is a popular major that can prepare you for rewarding careers in counseling, research, and human services. Psychology degrees are commonly available online and can provide a flexible, convenient way to pursue your career goals.

Explore the top online schools for psychology degree programs to find an option that fits your personal and professional needs. This guide covers information on online learning, degree requirements, tuition costs, and career possibilities.

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10 Best Online Schools for Psychology Bachelor’s Programs​

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

University of Florida-Online

  • Location-markerGainesville, FL
  • 4 year
  • Online

What You'll Like:

The bachelor's in psychology program at the University of Florida Online stands out for its competitive cost per credit of $129 for Florida residents. The school has expert faculty in five specializations: behavior analysis, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and social psychology. As an online student, you can save 40% on costs compared to on-campus students.

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 120

Things We Love:

  • Offers research opportunities that can help with entry to graduate school or other professional areas
  • Provides customizable course loads to help you manage your time commitment as you work through your degree
  • Allows you to pause enrollment for up to two terms in a row, giving you even greater flexibility

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • Tuition rates are almost four times higher for out-of-state students than Florida residents.
  • UF Online is moderately selective, admitting 64% of people who apply. 
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$3,358
  • Out-of-state$15,000
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate92%
  • Acceptance Rate65%
  • Students Enrolled5,356
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

Southern New Hampshire University

  • Location-markerManchester, NH
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

What You'll Like:

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online bachelor's in psychology with five concentrations: addiction studies, child and adolescent development, forensic psychology, industrial organizational psychology, and mental health. You can transfer up to 90 credits into your degree program, and save up to 70% on the cost of your tuition. 

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 120

Things We Love:

  • Includes an embedded certificate in data literacy in psychology, giving you a competitive edge in your field
  • Offers 24-7 online support, allowing you to work and receive assistance at any time of the day or night

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • Tuition rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state students at $330 per credit.  
  • SNHU has no GPA requirement for admissions. 
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$15,000
  • Out-of-state$15,000
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$18,900
  • Out-of-state$18,900
  • Retention Rate62%
  • Acceptance Rate96%
  • Students Enrolled164,091
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment97%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

Valdosta State University

  • Location-markerValdosta, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

What You'll Like:

Valdosta State University offers an online BS in psychology with unique courses in behavior modification and industrial and organizational psychology. All psychology majors can join and participate in the Psych Club, which offers guest lectures, research, and networking opportunities. Members can also present research at conferences.

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 120

Things We Love:

  • Offers credits for prior learning and allows you to transfer up to 90 total semester hours
  • Maintains flexible start dates, allowing you to start at any time throughout the year

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • Tuition rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state students at $299 per credit hour. 
  • ACT or SAT scores are required for admission unless your high school GPA is 3.2 or higher.
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,371
  • Out-of-state$15,426
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$4,572
  • Out-of-state$16,470
  • Retention Rate68%
  • Acceptance Rate83%
  • Students Enrolled10,180
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment69%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

The Pennsylvania State University

  • Location-markerUniversity Park, PA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

What You'll Like:

Online BA and BS in psychology programs with the option to focus on business or life sciences are available from The Pennsylvania State University. The programs also offer unique introductory courses in well-being and positive psychology, abnormal psychology, and the psychology of gender. 

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 123

Things We Love:

  • Offers the choice between a liberal arts or science-based education
  • Maintains a chapter of the World Campus Psychology Club, one of the first online psychology clubs

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • The tuition rates, $632-$678 per credit, are higher than those of most other schools on this list.
  • The life sciences and business options are only available for students in the BS in psychology program.
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$15,400
  • Out-of-state$25,084
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$23,189
  • Out-of-state$39,248
  • Retention Rate87%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled88,914
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment54%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

Charter Oak State College

  • Location-markerNew Britain, CT
  • 4 year
  • Online

What You'll Like:

Charter Oak State College offers an online BS in psychology. You can choose from four concentrations: life span, social/behavioral, cognitive and learning, and general psychology. Charter Oak offers six start dates throughout the year between January and October.

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 120

Things We Love:

  • Offers strong metrics for student success — program graduates who are residents of Connecticut earn an average annual salary of $105,643.
  • Provides five-, eight-, and 15-week terms to fit conveniently into your schedule

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • Charter Oak has an open admission policy, meaning all students who meet the basic requirements are accepted.
  • Only 50% of Charter Oak students receive some type of financial aid.
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,656
  • Out-of-state$10,056
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,288
  • Out-of-state$9,720
  • Retention Rate100%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled1,602
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

Arizona State University

  • Location-markerScottsdale, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Online

What You'll Like:

Arizona State University offers a BA and BS in psychology entirely online. You can specialize in forensic, industrial-organizational, or positive psychology. Moreover, you can combine the major with an accelerated master's program. This pathway allows you to earn a master's degree just one year after completing your undergraduate degree.

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 120

Things We Love:

  • ASU is a globally recognized school known for its innovation and research.
  • Offers competency-based admission pathways to make acceptance easier.

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • Sixty-eight percent of students receive some type of financial aid.
  • Tuition costs are slightly higher for full-time out-of-state students, about $2,000 more per year, on average. 
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,978
  • Out-of-state$13,248
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,972
  • Out-of-state$9,972
  • Retention Rate74%
  • Acceptance Rate64%
  • Students Enrolled62,551
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment98%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

University of Kansas

  • Location-markerLawrence, KS
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

What You'll Like:

The University of Kansas offers two types of fully online bachelor's in psychology degrees: a BA in psychology and a bachelor's of general studies in psychology. Both degrees feature fully asynchronous courses, meaning you complete your classes on your own time.

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 

Things We Love:

  • Provides extracurricular opportunities like research assistantships, faculty lab volunteering, and Psi Chi, a research-focused honors program
  • Offers flat-rate tuition of $445 per credit for all online students, regardless of where you live

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • This is a degree completion program; you need at least 24 credit hours, preferably 40, from KU, a community college, or another university to enroll.
  • KU reports that the estimated annual salary for program alumni is around $50,000.
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,294
  • Out-of-state$27,500
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,989
  • Out-of-state$23,951
  • Retention Rate85%
  • Acceptance Rate88%
  • Students Enrolled28,406
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment46%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

Florida International University

  • Location-markerMiami, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

What You'll Like:

Florida International University offers an online BA in psychology with a competitive tuition rate of $236 per credit for in-state students. The program includes a track in applied behavior analysis, paving the way to a board certified assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA) certificate.

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 120

Things We Love:

  • Offers multiple program start dates in the fall, spring, and summer, giving you options to begin your degree program when it's convenient for you
  • Provides a personal academic success coach who provides one-on-one guidance to ensure you stay on track to graduate on time

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • The cost per credit is significantly higher for out-of-state students than in-state students: $649 vs. $236. 
  • FIU requires all applicants to submit official SAT, ACT, and/or CLT scores.
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,168
  • Out-of-state$18,566
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$911
  • Out-of-state$2,003
  • Retention Rate92%
  • Acceptance Rate59%
  • Students Enrolled54,085
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment67%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

University of Arizona

  • Location-markerTucson, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

What You'll Like:

You can pursue an online BA in psychology and a BS in psychological science at The University of Arizona. You can also double major in psychology and law or psychological science and neuroscience and cognitive science. These options enhance your education and skills, opening more career opportunities.

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 120

Things We Love:

  • Features an optional Buddies Program that connects you with other online students in the program, fostering a more collaborative distance learning environment
  • Ranks #1 in alumni earnings potential among Arizona's public universities, according to 2022 Payscale data

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • The BA program requires a minor or double major, which can lengthen your time in school.
  • The BS program may be the better choice if you're aiming for a Ph.D. in psychology.
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$11,210
  • Out-of-state$35,628
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$12,348
  • Out-of-state$32,290
  • Retention Rate88%
  • Acceptance Rate86%
  • Students Enrolled53,187
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment60%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best Online Schools for Psychology in 2025

New Mexico State University

  • Location-markerLas Cruces, NM
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online

What You'll Like:

New Mexico State University offers an online BA in psychology and a BS in counseling and community psychology. The BS program makes it easy to incorporate the coursework needed for licensure as a substance abuse associate. It is also designed to allow students to double major seamlessly.

  • Credits Needed to Graduate: 120

Things We Love:

  • Covers up to 100% of tuition for New Mexico residents returning to college with the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship
  • Offer a significantly lower cost per credit for active military than the regular resident tuition rate: $250 vs. $395, respectively

What to Know Before You Apply:

  • NMSU's graduation rate is 52%, lower than the national average of 62%.
  • Almost all NMSU students receive some type of financial aid. 
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,728
  • Out-of-state$25,055
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,184
  • Out-of-state$18,023
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance Rate76%
  • Students Enrolled14,779
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment70%
  • AccreditationYes

Are online degrees really cheaper?

In many cases, yes. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition for an online bachelor’s degree is $11,698 compared to $16,929 for a traditional, on-campus bachelor’s degree.

Why Get an Online Psychology Degree?

Earning a psychology degree online has some major benefits, like the opportunity to learn from anywhere on your schedule. Plus, online psychology degrees cost less, on average, than traditional psychology degrees. Key benefits of earning a psychology degree online include:

  • Flexibility: With asynchronous delivery, you can study on your schedule from anywhere you can access the internet.
  • Affordability: Save money on tuition with more affordable online programs that avoid campus fees and commuting expenses.
  • Work-School Balance: Online programs usually allow you to more easily balance school and full-time employment.
  • Support Services: The best online psychology programs often provide similar support services, like academic advising and tutoring, that you’d receive with an in-person degree.

Choosing an Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Program: 3 Key Factors

The best online schools for psychology offer academic advising, online tutoring, and various student support services. Consider factors like a school’s reputation, cost, and available specializations to find the right online program for your needs. For example, if you’re planning to earn a graduate psychology degree, prioritize programs with a strong reputation for graduate placements.

1. Cost

Online degrees from public schools with in-state tuition rates typically offer the most affordable options. However, many out-of-state public schools offer in-state or flat-rate tuition for online learners. Transfer credits can also save you time and money on your online psychology degree, especially if you attend community college.

2. Specializations and Degree Outcomes

Research each program’s available specializations and prioritize schools with options that appeal to your personal and professional interests. Commons psychology concentrations include abnormal psychology, social psychology, and school psychology. Many psychology careers require a graduate degree.

After completing an undergraduate psychology program, many graduates pursue master’s-level psychology programs to open up more career opportunities. Aspiring counselors or social workers can also earn master’s degrees in social work.

3. Accreditation

Accreditation matters for online psychology degrees. Without it, you may not receive financial aid, transfer credits to other accredited schools, or meet certain licensing requirements. Many graduate programs only accept degrees from institutionally accredited schools.

Schools earn accreditation, through voluntary review by approved agencies. These accreditors check faculty, graduation requirements, and student outcomes, among other criteria. While bachelor’s- and master’s-level psychology programs are not individually accredited, the American Psychological Association accredits doctoral programs in the United States.

What to Expect from an Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Program

A bachelor’s in psychology provides a solid overview of human and animal behavior, focusing on the latest research and theories. As a psychology major, you can develop strong scientific and statistical skills to help you evaluate data, claims, and theories.

Bachelor’s in psychology programs typically require 120 credits and take four years of full-time to complete. However, earning your psychology degree online can offer greater flexibility as you work through your degree requirements.

Accessing Your Psychology Courses Online​

Some programs let you access course material anytime, while others use live virtual lectures and workshops at set times. You can expect to interact with professors and classmates through discussion boards and emails in asynchronous programs, for example.

Like you would for an in-person psychology degree, expect to conduct research and get hands-on experience with fieldwork.

In-Person Requirements for Online Psychology Degrees

Even if you’re pursuing your degree online, you may have some in-person requirements to fulfill. Psychology bachelor’s degrees often require you to attend in person for things like internships and supervised hours. Some programs may allow you to complete residency or fieldwork requirements at local labs and other facilities.

Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s in Psychology Degree

Graduates can apply their psychology degrees in many industries, including business, social work, and education. With a solid understanding of psychology, research, and statistics, they can excel in various fields. Note that some of the following positions may require a master’s degree.

Psychology Careers
CareerMedian Annual Salary (May 2024)Projected Job Growth (2023-2033)
Substance Use Counselors$59,190+19%
Market Research Analysts$76,950+8%
Public Relations Specialists$69,780+6%
Social and Community Service Managers$78,240+8%
Training and Development Specialists$65,850+12%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Degrees

What can I do with a bachelor’s in psychology degree?

You can pursue many types of jobs with a bachelor’s in psychology, including careers in social services, human resources, marketing, and healthcare. Potential roles include substance use counselor, marketing or advertising specialist, social services assistant, and training specialist.

Is psychology a difficult major?

Psychology programs typically involve significant reading and research but rank among the most commonly conferred undergraduate degrees, according to NCES. Regardless, you may find it challenging if you struggle with heavier reading loads and complex theories.

Is a BA in psychology worth it?

A BA in psychology can pay off. Psych majors strengthen in-demand research and communication skills. With a psychology degree, you can qualify for entry-level marketing, public relations, and social services roles. You’ll need a master’s in psychology or a doctoral degree if you’re interested in counseling, therapy, or psychology licensure, however.

What is the highest-paying job with a psychology degree?

The highest-paying job for psychology graduates depends on the degree level. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $161,030 for marketing managers as of May 2024. These professionals must possess work experience or degrees in business, communications, or other related fields.

Is it hard to find a job with a psychology degree?

Psychology degrees can provide applicable training and skills in many fields. BLS data indicates that more than 3 million psychology graduates work nationwide as of 2022.