The 20 Best Online Psychology Degree Programs

Grand Canyon University is a Baptist focused school that incorporates the use of faith, and religion into their courses. They are focused on making people more employable and producing well-rounded students into the workforce. They offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs with a psychology focus all totally online.

Their 120 credit hour bachelor’s program is a non-thesis degree geared toward relationships and communication in the workplace. Graduates are successful in careers in management and human relations. The program provides an excellent background for serving the public.

The Master of Science in Psychology online from GCU is a 36-credit hour program. There is no thesis requirement. Instead, online students complete a professional capstone and present their original research ideas. The master’s degree core curriculum includes courses in:

• Social and Cultural Psychology
• Learning, Cognition and Motivation
• Human Development

The average annual cost of attending this APA accredited university is a bit higher than the national average as it sits around $28,309. However, Graduates of Grand Canyon University can expect to earn salaries that are higher than the national average at roughly $45,200 starting salary. However, students who go on to earn their master’s or Ph.D. degrees can expect an even higher salary.

The rigor provided in this course is suitable to make online students more marketable in the workforce combined with the affordability, and projected earnings grants this institution the rank of 20th place, in our top twenty universities.

LeTourneau University has a strong Christian Faith emphasis in all of its programs including its online psychology program. They emphasize the use of faith in counseling and all other aspects of life.

Their 120-credit hour online bachelor’s programs are rigorous enough to prepare students for:

• graduate degrees
• missions
• the use of psychology in the workforce

LeTourneau offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

LeTourneau also offers one of the best online psychology graduate programs with their MA in psychology. This Christ-centered program includes required courses and electives that can help you meet your career goals. A practicum experience provides face-to-face learning opportunities in a counseling setting. All courses are offered 100% online to meet the needs of diverse learners.

LeTourneau provides students with a relatively affordable psychology education. Students report that they bring in hearty salaries with their degrees. Tuition costs are slightly above average, but online students are projected to enjoy an overall above-average salary in their careers after graduation.

This program is designed more for success in religious missions and human resources positions than counseling. This means that there is more breadth of the field, and slightly less rigor in their coursework, earning LeTourneau the 19th spot in this top twenty list.

Liberty University is one of the best online schools for psychology. Liberty offers an affordable, accredited, Christian emphasized online Bachelors of Science in Psychology degree. Students of Liberty University are trained in many counseling oriented mediums. All students must complete an internship before graduation can be granted making this an intense online degree program.

Tuition runs at $360 per credit hour for this low-cost psychology online degree, and students can expect to bring average home pay. Students report that they earn roughly $36,300 in their careers.

Liberty’s online master’s degree in applied psychology is a flexible program with eight-week courses. Online students can choose to specialize in either developmental psychology or industrial/organizational psychology. Faculty are dedicated to the development of their students. Graduates are well-prepared for a variety of psychology related careers.

Online students at Liberty University can expect a good solid education, at a relatively affordable rate.  There are many things to do with a psych degree. Once you have an understanding of how people think, you can be successful in diverse career paths including:

• business
• education
• government
• health

St. Leo University offers one of the top bachelor’s degree programs online in the country. Their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree includes the option of pursuing a focus in military psychology. This unique concentration focuses on interviewing and counseling.

St. Leo strongly encourage online students to branch out beyond the bounds of technological learning and explore the world of psychology in a hands-on approach via internships and practicums. However, internships and practicums are not required for graduation. Their online degree program offers a broad spectrum of education for students interested in a career in psychology.

Course offerings cover areas of psychological science including:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Interviewing and Counseling Skills
• Psychology of Criminal Behavior

Students can participate in a variety of different professional development opportunities. Research opportunities are available for credit or in addition to coursework. Students can attend professional conferences to network and present their research.

Saint Leo graduates are successful working in top organizations like:

• Adler Institute
• Community Hospital of New Port Richey, Florida
• United States Military

This best online psychology degree program has fairly low costs. Their courses tend to cost around $470 per credit hour. St Leo’s is a wonderful institution for those going into military service as discounts are provided on an already affordable school. However, the course is less intensive for those wishing to work in a psychology-based career which earns this school the 17th spot in our quest to find the top 20 online psychology degrees.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is one of the best online colleges for psychology. SNHU offers fully accredited, and fully online master’s and bachelor’s in psychology programs at a reasonable cost. Their low-cost online Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology is an average 120 credit hours long and delves deeply into many options of focuses. Their program is tough enough to prepare psychology majors for a variety of exciting careers. Graduates are also well prepared to continue their education and earn an advanced degree. An online bachelor’s degree in psychology can be the foundation of a career in such jobs as:

• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Public Relations
• Research
• Administration

SNHU also offers a great online master’s in psychology. Concentrations are offered in:

• Child and Adolescent Development Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Industrial Organizational Psychology

Master’s degree students can transfer in up to 12 graduate credits for previous coursework. Experiential learning opportunities allow online psychology degree students to gain valuable hands-on training. Courses are taught by experienced faculty who understand the demands of the field.

Tuition costs are an extremely affordable $320 per credit hour. Graduated students can expect to earn salaries comfortably above the national average at roughly $41,800 annually.

Southern New Hampshire offers a less expensive education but will help students move forward in their careers, or explore further into their education. These features combined with their projected earnings after graduation land this great online psychology degree program the 16th place out of our top 20 schools.

The University of Massachusetts offers fully accredited, and entirely online Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. The 120-hour program focuses their courses on applied psychology to best prepare students for a variety of different psychology careers. U.S. News and World Report ranked UMass as a top school to earn a bachelor’s in psychology online.

Courses are taught by full-time faculty who provide students with real-world knowledge. The psychology core curriculum includes course offerings like:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Child and Adolescent Development
• Social Psychology

UMass Lowell offers a generous transfer policy. New students can transfer in up to 90 credit hours for approved courses. Depending on the number of transfer credits, students can complete their degree in just 12-36 months. A variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available.

UMass provides students with an excellent education. Tuition rates are right at the national average sitting at $16,531 a year which is well worth the investment. Students graduating from this fine institution can expect to bring home an average salary of $48,900 annually which is considerably above the national average salary.

This online psychology degree at UMass is offered at an affordable cost and has a decent projected annual salary. University of Massachusetts earns the 15th place on our list.

Purdue University offers several of the best online psychology degree programs in the country. Their online bachelor degree programs include:

• BS in Psychology in Addictions
• BS in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis
• BS in Psychology in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology

Each of these top online psychology degree programs will prepare students to pursue a masters of psychology which is also offered at Purdue. Students can also earn a graduate certificate in behavior analysis or addictions.

Purdue Global’s online master’s in psychology is another of the best online psychology programs. Students can choose from five different concentration areas including:

• addictions
• applied behavior analysis
• forensic psychology
• general psychology
• industrial and organizational psychology

Master’s courses are offered in convenient 10-week terms. Students can choose to complete a thesis or pass a comprehensive exam to complete their degree. Most students can complete their master’s in two years of full-time study.

Purdue works with students to help make their tuition as affordable as possible such as:

• a tuition cap
• military discounts
• in-state tuition savings
• transferring credits
• credit for experience

This top school for psychology degrees offers multiple start dates, which makes this flexible program one that is sure to fit your schedule.

Post University is assuredly a highly accredited school guaranteed to provide an intense and thorough education. Their bachelor’s degree in psychology online is an accelerated program and requires absolute dedication.

Post University requires all students to take and pass a senior seminar, and other intensive courses designed to prepare you for graduate school, or the professional world. Course offerings cover areas like:

• personality and psychopathology
• child and adolescent development
• societal and culture influence on human interaction
• relationship between psychology and the law

Students can customize their online psychology degree by choosing from three distinct concentration areas including:

• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Human Development, Education, and Health
• Industrial Organizational Psychology

This top psychology degree online program boasts small class sizes to ensure each student gets the support needed for success in the program. Students work with a personal academic success counselor throughout their time at Post.

Tuition rates at Post University are on average nearly twice the national average at around $37,460 per year. Graduates of Post University can expect an average starting salary that sits around $36,600 which is only slightly higher than the national average.This is an excellent program for those seeking more experience than just an online education. However, the pay increase after gaining the degree may not be enough to land this school a higher ranking. Thus, Post University is 13th in our top twenty available programs.

Penn State World Campus offers two of the best online psychology degree programs. Both offered degrees are shorter than average sitting at around 123 credit hours priced at around $590 per credit hour.

The two accelerated degrees offered are meant to help students into the fields they wish to enter into after graduation. Their BS degree in science and psychology practice is research-focused. Students can choose to customize their degree by choosing a concentration in either life sciences or business.

The BA degree provides students with a broad education in areas like humanities and social sciences. Students will gain the skills needed to work in human service agencies or laboratories.

Penn State World Campus is a highly prestigious university and one of the best online schools for psychology degrees. Penn State’s program is ranked by U.S. News and World Report in the top 10 online bachelor’s degrees. Graduates from Penn State World Campus can expect to earn an average annual salary of $41,900 early in their careers after graduation.

The intensity of this degree makes it a great fit for students building upon an existing career. The expenses of tuition at this institution versus the pay increase expected earn this school the 12th place out of our top 20.

The University of Florida Online is an accredited online university. Students are required to complete 120 credit hours which is roughly an average amount for a psychology degree.

The University of Florida Online requires online learners to complete courses in:

• mathematics
• psychology
• statistics
• biology

Psychology majors can also choose from a variety of elective courses to complete their degree. Graduates are prepared for a variety of careers in areas like:

• personnel management
• education
• health care
• counseling

The bachelor’s in psychology prepares graduates to continue their education in psychology or pursue a professional degree in an area like law.

Tuition for this school is below the national average cost, and students graduating from this school can expect to earn a starting average of $51,300 annually, which is slightly above the national average.

As one of the most budget friendly online programs in psychology, UF Online provides students with a well-rounded online education with a decent projected annual salary. It is perfect for those with less previous education who want greater career opportunities. These features land this wonderful institution the 10th place out of our top 20 programs.

Oregon State University is an accredited public university that offers two of the best online psychology degrees including the BS and BA in psychology.

Each program option is about 180 credit hours long with intensive rigor which prepares students for careers that work heavily with the public. Courses are developed by world class faculty so you can feel confident that the curriculum is relevant and meets the needs of the field. Sample course topics inclde:

• Health psychology
• Human lifespan development
• Cognitive psychology
• Brain and behavior

Annual tuition costs hover around the national average at an affordable $17,420, and graduates can expect to earn an above-average salary in their careers. Average annual salaries are expected to be around $46,400.

This affordable psychology program allows students to focus on the desired career outcome, at an average salary cost with a little higher than average expected pay. This online psychology program is ranked as one of the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. These facts combined earn Oregon State University 10th place.

Drexel University features a research-focused bachelor’s degree in psychology online. Courses are delivered in a fully online format to accommodate the needs of diverse learners. The innovative curriculum emphasizes research methodology and statistics, giving students a strong foundation for a variety of career options. Course offerings include:

• Psychological Testing and Assessment
• Experimental Psychology
• Physiological Psychology
• Psychology of Learning

Drexel also offers a variety of programs at the master’s level including:

• EdS in School Psychology
• MS in Applied Behavior Analysis Online
• MS in Applied Behavior Analysis Hybrid

Their online undergraduate program costs roughly $543 per credit hour. Students may enroll on a full or part-time basis. This flexibility allows students to learn and pay for tuition at their own pace.

Graduates of Drexel University tend to have high incomes. The average annual salary of a Drexel University graduate runs around $61,000 on average. Recent graduates of Drexel’s psychology program have gone on to jobs at:

• GlaxoSmithKline
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Jefferson Health System
• Lihn Center for Psychology

Graduates are also successful in law and graduate programs. Not only is this school offering a solid education at a good price, but the projected salary is also high enough to earn this school 8th place out of our top twenty list.

The School of Professional Studies at the University of the Incarnate Word offers a comprehensive and accredited online bachelor’s in psychology at an incredibly affordable rate. Their tuition rates are just a bit above average at $495 per credit hour. They are committed to keep costs affordable through the “Brain Power” Program, which makes all school textbooks free and online for all currently enrolled students.

The core curriculum includes courses in:

• Quantitative Research Methods
• Biology and Behavior
• Developmental Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology

A psychology major will complete a capstone project and internship in psychology. A minor is strongly encouraged. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of areas including:

• education
• business
• social service

Students graduating from The University of the Incarnate Word can expect to earn annual salaries on average of $42,700 which is just slightly above the national average. Tuition costs and projected salaries for this school are already good, but the sheer amount of money saved in never having to purchase a textbook makes this school among the most affordable of all our listed programs. The affordability plus the fact that graduates of this best psychology bachelor’s program go on to strong careers and graduate programs put this respected school in 7th place.

Robert Morris University is a private institution offering one of the best psychology programs in the country. Their bachelor’s degree is 120 credit hours and requires students choose and earn a minor. Adding a minor helps students become well-rounded and more marketable. Its degree offers to train in core competencies needed to be a professional in the field such as:

• writing skills
• research
• critical thinking
• analytical skills

Robert Morris University prepares students for graduate school or the professional world with a career in human services. Therefore, their courses are designed to train you to become the best that you can be.

The tuition rates at Robert Morris University run around $21,819 on average per year which is higher than the national average. However, graduates of Robert Morris University can expect to earn an average salary of $44,900 which is above the national average compensating for the slightly higher tuition rates.

The program combined with its affordability and good projected pay earns Robert Morris University the rank of 6th place on our top 20 list.​

Arizona State University is a public research institution committed to excellence in education. ASU has one of the most respected online psychology programs in the state. They offer an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology taught by expert instructors. Their psychology program is not only accredited but also highly respected.

Courses are offered in short, seven-and-a-half week sessions, allowing students to complete their degree quickly. Psychology major course offerings include:

• Research Methods
• Statistical Methods
• Careers in Psychology

Arizona State University also offers an online MS in psychology. Courses are taught by tenured and tenure track faculty. Elective course offerings allow students to focus on areas of interest. The program does not prepare online students to work in clinical psychology, but it does prepare graduates to pursue a doctoral degree or career advancement opportunities.

Cost per credit hour is a very low $480, and graduates can expect to earn an above-average $54,200 average annual salary. Arizona State is more affordable than many other institutions without sacrificing rigor or projected annual salary. Accreditation is high for this school as well which makes Arizona State our number 5 of the top 20 online psych programs.

Northeastern University offers an accredited online BS in psychology through the College of Professional Studies. Students can choose from three distinct professional tracks including:

• Clinical Track
• Applied Behavioral Analysis Track
• MAT (Education) Track

Open electives allow students to further tailor the program to meet their educational goals. Students complete two advanced practicum experiences that provide the opportunity for hands on training. The program prepares students for a career in human services or further education in graduate studies.

The tuition costs for education at Northeastern University are quite high. However, 45% of students receive financial aid. The investment is well worth the upfront cost as graduate students bring home an average of $60,100 per year. Incredible pay projection is offered at this top university for a psychology degree, making this excellent institution our third-place choice.

Bellevue University offers a fully accredited, and highly rigorous online Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree. This online psychology bachelor’s degree is designed to prepare students for careers in management or counseling. Students are also well prepared for graduate studies in psychology or other behavioral sciences.

The intensive program requires students to conduct their own empirical research. Students create two empirical manuscripts that they can submit for publication or present at an industry conference.

Bellevue is committed to removing barriers to education. Prospective students don’t need to submit SAT or ACT scores. They also have four different start dates each year to choose from. Students can transfer in their associate degree or receive credit for military experience. Online students can complete assignments and online classes any time of day, making this a great choice for working professionals.

You won’t have to worry about being bogged down with cookie cutter course offerings. Bellevue provides plenty of choices so psychology degree online students can study topics of interest. Course offerings include:

• Experimental Psychology
• Culture and Psychology
• Human Development

Bellevue provides online students with a highly prestigious, respected, and well-rounded education. Students must demonstrate discipline and dedication to earn a degree from this institution.

This school’s tuition rates are a bit above the national average, however, students who receive their degree can earn significantly above average annual salaries. On average Bellevue, graduates can earn $52,200 in their careers. Graduates of this best online bachelor’s in psychology walk away with a phenomenal education and much higher than average salaries that outweigh the cost of tuition.

Capella University’s online psychology degrees are for those seeking either master’s or Ph.D. degrees. Their online psychology degree programs are rigorous.

Master’s degree students complete four courses and five specialization courses. An integrative project allows students to demonstrate their skills in a professional environment. All courses are delivered online.

Capella also offers a PhD in Psychology. This robust program includes:

• seven core courses
• four specialized courses
• five electives
• three Doctoral Project Development Seminars
• comprehensive exam
• dissertation

PhD students engage in face-to-face residencies to complement their online coursework. Students also have the opportunity to participate in research alongside faculty.

Their cost per credit hour has a broad range. Master’s students pay between $440 and $815/credit. PhD students pay between $545 and $810/credit. Though their programs do run on the pricey side, the returns are well worth the upfront cost. Students graduating from Capella University with their psychology degree online are expected to make an average salary of $69,500 annually which is significantly higher than the national average.

Graduates from this best online school for psychology receive a fantastic education from a highly respected, and accredited institution. They are projected to make, on average, more money than any other university on our list. These qualities make Capella University our best online university for psychology.