Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor’s of Psychology Programs

Badge for FASTEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN PSYCHOLOGY

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Jenn Finley

Updated: Oct 3, 2024

Key Takeaways

An online accelerated bachelor’s in psychology allows students to complete a degree more quickly than a traditional bachelor’s program.
A psychology major pursuing an online psychology degree can expect to be qualified for entry-level positions in fields like career counseling, human services, or social work.
An online bachelor’s in psychology degree can be a great stepping stone into a graduate program in psychology.

Table of Contents

Fastest Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs in 2025

Drexel University
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Southern New Hampshire University
Franklin University
Arcadia University
Wilmington University
University of Maryland Global Campus
+1
Maryville University
–1
Notre Dame College
Crown College

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

The top 10 fastest online bachelor’s degree programs in psychology didn’t have a significant amount of movement between 2024 and 2025. The University of Maryland Global Campus gained one position, moving into the 7th spot.

Psychology is one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. A bachelor’s is the minimum academic requirement for an entry-level psychology career path.

While the traditional path to earn a bachelor’s in psychology degree takes four years, those eager to enter the job market quickly can pursue an accelerated psychology degree. These higher education degrees in psychology allow students to cut study times to under two years.

Different techniques are used by accelerated psychology degree programs to shorten their duration. These programs enable students to finish specific courses more quickly.

By allowing and using transfer credits, degree completion programs provide expedited routes to graduation. Additionally, institutions may grant transfer credit for life and professional experience, which can shorten training periods and save costs.

Bottom Line: A bachelor’s in psychology degree online can be intense. Students must be sure that they are organized and are adept at time management. Juggling work, family life, and an online degree can be a challenge.

Male psychologist counseling a female client

Methodology

An online psychology degree will only help you achieve your goals if earned from accredited institutions. This ranking only includes accelerated psychology programs with regional and programmatic accreditation.

We’ve also considered other factors, including financial aid opportunities, student satisfaction, potential salary, tuition cost, and reputation. These factors will ensure you’ll receive a degree valued by future employers.

Each of the colleges or universities in this ranking has also been regionally accredited by one of the six accrediting bodies recognized by the United States Department of Education. They include:

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Bottom Line: While the speed of the fastest online psychology degree programs is important, finding an online program that is regionally accredited will ensure that you will receive a quality education.

Female psychologist counseling a young female client

The Fastest Online Acclerated Psychology Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Psychology Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Psychology

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,429
Avg. Expenses*: $17,504
Avg. Starting Salary*: $31,232
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $41,564
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 13 years
Job Growth: 6.09%
Number of Jobs: 1,513,100
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	5.81%	$147,420
Managers, All Other	5.75%	$133,560
Psychologists, All Other	4.95%	$117,750
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	13.28%	$96,100
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	4.89%	$82,140
Social Science Research Assistants	6.40%	$56,400

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	$147,420
Managers, All Other	$133,560
Psychologists, All Other	$117,750
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$96,100
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	$82,140
Social Science Research Assistants	$56,400

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Accelerated Online Psychology Bachelors Programs

Accredited by a reputable organization, an accelerated online bachelor’s degree program in psychology presents a highly efficient pathway to earn your degree quickly so that you can enter the workforce as soon as possible. These psychology programs offer time and cost savings and the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s in psychology degree in a shorter duration than a traditional four-year degree program.

Moreover, online psychology degree courses provide a convenient means of participating in college and university academic programs from a distance. With internet access, you can access online programs from anywhere and at anytime.

This mode of learning also reduces transportation expenses associated with traditional on-campus courses.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that an accelerated program requires a great amount of dedication, effort, and time management skills. This can present challenges for individuals who are employed or who have family commitments.

Managing the intensified course load, completing assignments and exams promptly, and staying on top of coursework can be demanding. It may seem overwhelming, especially for students who lack motivation or are unable to focus on achieving success.

Prospective students should carefully consider their circumstances, their ability to handle a rigorous workload, and their level of motivation before beginning an accelerated program.

Are online psychology degree programs worth it?

Whether earned online or on-campus, a degree in psychology is worth it. A bachelor’s in psychology degree holds significant value, whether you enter the workforce immediately or pursue further education at the graduate level. There are many high paying jobs in the field of psychology, and a bachelor’s degree can set you up to pursue one of these careers.

Psychology as a science offers a captivating exploration of the human mind, encompassing the study of cognition, information processing, and behavioral patterns. Psychology ranks among the most sought-after academic majors, as the National Center for Education Statistics reports.

Online psychology degree courses offer various specializations, including:

Addictions
Forensic Psychology
Health Psychology
Healthcare
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Social Services
Social Psychology

While certain careers within psychology necessitate advanced degrees, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, a bachelor’s in psychology alone can still provide numerous opportunities. The versatility of a psychology background opens doors to various career paths, with approximately 57% of psychology graduates entering the workforce directly without pursuing further education at the master’s or doctoral level.

Moreover, the benefits of a bachelor’s in psychology degree extend beyond immediate employment prospects. Graduates possess a diverse skill set highly valued in numerous industries and sectors.

The workforce offers various career options for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Graduates can pursue roles in human resources, social services, market research, counseling and rehabilitation centers, healthcare, education, and many other sectors. These positions allow individuals to apply their understanding of human behavior and psychological principles in practical settings, helping individuals and organizations thrive.

Bottom Line:

The knowledge acquired in an online program in psychology equips individuals with a deep understanding of human behavior, critical thinking skills, research proficiency, and effective communication abilities. These skills are transferable and applicable in various professions, making psych graduates desirable candidates across multiple career fields.

Career Outlook for Graduates of Accelerated Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Degrees

So what can you accomplish with a psychology bachelor’s degree without going on to graduate school? Any employment involving social contact can greatly benefit from learning how and why people think the way they do through a bachelor’s degree program.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is a good fit for people seeking jobs that are focused on benefiting people, such as career counseling, human services, social work, or teaching.

Some of the more popular fields where bachelor’s in psychology graduates can find work include:

Counseling

One of the top careers for psychology majors is counseling. Graduates can apply as counselors in large corporations, colleges, hospitals, and mental health centers.

Forensic psychology

Psychology delves into the mind, while forensics focuses on behavior and patterns. Forensic psychologists work in law enforcement, universities, mental health facilities, and legal offices. Many psychology students choose to major in forensic psychology since it’s one of the field’s most intriguing and exciting roles.

Human resources

Human resources personnel regularly engage with employees, ensuring they receive comprehensive benefits and necessary support for their job responsibilities. They play a pivotal role in the hiring process, matching new candidates with suitable positions within the company.

If you are interested in business, you can use your understanding of how the human mind functions to analyze consumer or market trends. Working in one of these areas can position you for successful entrepreneurship, long-term corporate employment, and substantial consulting income.

Bottom Line: While there are a number of excellent career opportunities with a bachelor’s in psychology degree online, many students continue their education with a master’s or doctorate degree in psychology to expand their career opportunities and earn high-than-average salaries.

Continuing Education

A bachelor’s degree in psychology can be the foundation for further academic pursuits, whether you pursue a career in a psychology-related field or explore opportunities in other industries.

You may be able to work in industrial-organizational psychology, for instance, with a master’s degree. You can work as a clinical psychologist’s assistant while pursuing graduate programs and impact actual cases while earning a stable salary. Additionally, you can obtain employment helping a psychologist, therapist, or counselor in their profession.

You can get your license to practice psychology at the doctoral level. As a result, you can help patients deal with issues including addiction, abandonment, stress, and developmental problems. You can carry out independent research for which you might be eligible for funding from medical, non-profit, or private organizations.

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Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor’s of Psychology Programs

Key Takeaways

Fastest Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs in 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Methodology

The Fastest Online Acclerated Psychology Degree Programs

Last Year’s Ranking:

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Drexel University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell

Most Influential Alumni

University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Southern New Hampshire University

Most Influential Alumni

Southern New Hampshire University’s Online Degrees

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Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Franklin University

Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Arcadia University

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Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Wilmington University

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Wilmington University’s Online Degrees

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Career Outlook for Psychology degree at University of Maryland Global Campus

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Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Maryville University

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Maryville University’s Online Degrees

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Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Notre Dame College

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Notre Dame College’s Online Degrees

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Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Crown College

Career Outlook for Students with Psychology Degree

Psychology

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Career Salaries

Top Industries

Benefits and Drawbacks of Accelerated Online Psychology Bachelors Programs

Are online psychology degree programs worth it?

Career Outlook for Graduates of Accelerated Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Degrees

Counseling

Forensic psychology

Human resources

Continuing Education