Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees

Badge for BEST FOR PSYCHOLOGY LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

The best psychology liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best psychology degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding psychology faculty.

Top 10 Undergraduate Psychology Programs at Liberal Arts Colleges

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  1. Swarthmore College
  2. Wesleyan University
  3. Amherst College
  4. Pomona College
  5. Wellesley College
  6. Claremont McKenna College
  7. Bowdoin College
  8. Williams College
  9. Barnard College
  10. Vassar College
  1. Wesleyan University
  2. Amherst College
  3. United States Military Academy
  4. Oberlin College
  5. Williams College
  6. Swarthmore College
  7. Smith College
  8. Wellesley College
  9. Bryn Mawr College
  10. Vassar College
  1. San Francisco State University 94%
  2. Oberlin College 35%
  3. Kenyon College 34%
  4. Reed College 31%
  5. Bryn Mawr College 31%
  6. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 30%
  7. Smith College 23%
  8. Vassar College 19%
  9. Pitzer College 18%
  10. Carleton College 17%
  1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 20 to 1
  2. San Francisco State University 19 to 1
  3. Pitzer College 10 to 1
  4. Barnard College 10 to 1
  5. Bowdoin College 9 to 1
  6. Colgate University 9 to 1
  7. Middlebury College 9 to 1
  8. Davidson College 9 to 1
  9. Kenyon College 9 to 1
  10. Oberlin College 9 to 1
  1. Kenyon College $66,490
  2. Vassar College $64,800
  3. Reed College $64,760
  4. Wesleyan University $64,322
  5. Colgate University $64,290
  6. Amherst College $64,100
  7. Haverford College $63,628
  8. Carleton College $62,634
  9. Barnard College $62,525
  10. Middlebury College $62,460
  1. Claremont McKenna College $65,574
  2. Colgate University $63,904
  3. Vassar College $63,840
  4. Wesleyan University $63,722
  5. Williams College $61,775
  6. Smith College $58,480
  7. Bryn Mawr College $50,730
  8. Oberlin College $29,692
  9. Middlebury College $14,550
  10. San Francisco State University $7,176
  1. San Francisco State University
  2. Haverford College
  3. Bryn Mawr College
  4. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  5. Pitzer College
  6. United States Air Force Academy
  7. Kenyon College
  8. Smith College
  9. Colgate University
  10. Davidson College
  1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  2. Pitzer College
  3. Claremont McKenna College
  4. Davidson College
  5. Kenyon College
  6. United States Air Force Academy
  7. Carleton College
  8. Middlebury College
  9. Colgate University
  10. Pomona College
  1. Pomona College 7%
  2. Swarthmore College 7%
  3. Amherst College 7%
  4. Williams College 8%
  5. Bowdoin College 9%
  6. Barnard College 9%
  7. Claremont McKenna College 10%
  8. United States Military Academy 12%
  9. Colgate University 12%
  10. Middlebury College 13%
  1. Williams College 6 to 1
  2. Vassar College 7 to 1
  3. Wellesley College 7 to 1
  4. United States Air Force Academy 7 to 1
  5. Amherst College 7 to 1
  6. United States Military Academy 7 to 1
  7. Wesleyan University 7 to 1
  8. Pomona College 7 to 1
  9. Smith College 8 to 1
  10. Claremont McKenna College 8 to 1
  1. San Francisco State University $5,742
  2. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $5,742
  3. Davidson College $57,340
  4. Smith College $58,768
  5. Pomona College $59,238
  6. Swarthmore College $59,328
  7. Bryn Mawr College $59,330
  8. Pitzer College $60,578
  9. Claremont McKenna College $60,715
  10. Bowdoin College $61,528
  1. San Francisco State University $7,176
  2. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $7,176
  3. Middlebury College $14,550
  4. Oberlin College $29,692
  5. Bryn Mawr College $50,730
  6. Smith College $58,480
  7. Williams College $61,775
  8. Wesleyan University $63,722
  9. Vassar College $63,840
  10. Colgate University $63,904

Key Takeaways

  • Psychology degrees are very broad. There are several types of degrees and numerous concentrations under the umbrella of psychology.
  • Psychology degrees are offered both on campus and online. While many still believe the traditional brick-and-mortar learning mode is the most amenable, online programs offer the same quality education and follow the same course curriculum as their on-campus counterparts.
  • A liberal arts college is a great choice if you are looking for smaller class sizes, more engagement with professors, and the opportunity to take a wide range of different types of classes.

Featured Programs

Psychology: Vital Liberal Arts Major

A student with a psychology major studies human behavior and mental processes, including studying the brain, the mind, and human and animal social interactions.

When looking for the best colleges for a degree in psychology, you need to go through the right steps in assessing multiple programs and schools so you can compare available concentrations, minimum graduation requirements, program and school accreditations, and the cost of attendance.

To find the best psychology program for you, students should also be aware of how many people a school admits into a program each term, whether the programs are offered online, the average time it takes for students to finish the program, and any possible internship opportunities.

This guide helps you answer these questions and provides you with an idea of the factors that need to be addressed when you start to scout for psychology degree programs.

Program Delivery

On-Campus vs. Online. This is one important factor to assess to help you decide which college to attend. On-campus learning is the traditional way of enrolling in a degree, and it comes with several advantages, including access to the school’s library, face-to-face interaction with fellow students and professors, honor societies, and on-campus research opportunities.

On the other hand, online programs are becoming more sophisticated and common. Most of the online programs today may be taken from anywhere, regardless of your residence. But online classes heavily rely on a student’s capacity to complete coursework and be self-motivated, requiring an immense amount of organization and discipline.

While many believe online classes are easier than on-campus programs, this is not true. Both delivery methods follow the same curriculum and are handled by the same faculty. Earning an online degree proves that it’s as challenging as earning it on campus.

Accreditation

Whether at a traditional brick-and-mortar school or online class, psychology programs need the right accreditation. Accreditation not only guarantees that the program meets the standards of quality of the curriculum; it also ensures that it is recognized for future employers’ reference.

Thus, it’s best to choose the degree program and school that has the stamp of approval from different highly-regard psychology accrediting bodies and higher education accrediting bodies, such as the Higher Learning Commission.

Psychology Accrediting Bodies

American Psychological Association (APA)

The most notable organization for psychology education across the United States, APA, is the leading accrediting body for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degrees.

APA’s Commission on Accreditation awards accreditation to doctoral graduate programs in school, counseling, clinical psychology and other programs that combine two or more of these areas.

APA While it does not accredit bachelor’s or master’s programs in universities, it is responsible for granting accreditation to internship programs for undergraduates and post-doctoral residency programs for a professional psychology practice.

Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation Systems

This independent and non-profit accreditation body is responsible for rigorous accreditation to a Doctor of Philosophy program connected to scientific or psychological clinical science and psychology programs.

National vs. Regional Accreditation

Regional accreditation is considered more prestigious and common than national accreditation. Most universities in the US are regionally accredited. Today, six regional accrediting bodies are associated with a particular country’s division. On the other hand, national accreditation agencies are not limited to or organized by geographic areas and usually have a more lenient standard of the criteria for an acceptable curriculum.

Regionally accredited credits, therefore, are considered the easiest to transfer since the programs themselves are held to a higher standard.

In most cases, transfer students from nationally accredited schools have a tough time transferring their credits since only a few schools offer the same classes they have or that can verify the curriculum’s validity.

Psychology bachelor’s degrees are the 4th most popular undergraduate degree across all student demographics. Only liberal studies, business, and nursing rank ahead of it. Psychology degrees are three times more common among women than men, and rank among the top 5 bachelor’s degrees for both Black people and Hispanics (according to degree-earner numbers reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics).

While psychology is obviously a sensible major if you’re planning on becoming a clinical psychologist, majoring in psychology is also a great starting point for a career as a school counselor, special educator, addiction specialist, criminologist, forensics expert and countless other professions. Some psychology majors will complete a double major, or a minor, in a complimentary area such as education or law enforcement. Beyond that, psychology degrees can be useful in many areas of business like marketing, human resources, conflict resolution, and business management. Our top reason to choose a psycholgoy degree is that you learn to think about how people think, and thus the versatility of a psychology degree is practically limitless.

As a psychology major, you’ll study human development, cognition, and behavior. You’ll learn skills like counseling, behavioral therapy, and clinical treatment for mental health disorders. Students who plan to ultimately become practicing clinical psychologists will be required to earn their doctoral degree in psychology from a program that is accredited by The APA Commission on Accreditation, and subsequently qualify for and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). However, majoring in psychology as an undergraduate can provide a starting point for a wide range of careers in school counseling, substance abuse treatment, special education, and much more. The best schools for psychology are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of psychology concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Did you know that you could also focus on a career in teaching psychology? Check out our look at the subjects you can teach with a psychology degree.

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees

While psychology is obviously a sensible major if you’re planning on becoming a clinical psychologist, majoring in psychology is also a great starting point for a career as a school counselor, special educator, addiction specialist, criminologist, forensics expert and countless other professions. Some psychology majors will complete a double major, or a minor, in a complimentary area such as education or law enforcement.

And if you wish to continue into a doctoral program and ultimately become a practicing psychologist or psychiatrist, this is a natural starting point. Today, top influencers in psychology are breaking new ground in Positive Psychology, the psychology of decision making, the computational theory of mind, and much more.

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This four-year undergraduate degree is extremely popular, not just among those who will go on to earn an advanced degree, but for those who will apply the concepts of psychology to a wide range of fields including education, marketing, law enforcement, child welfare, and much more. Organizations of every kind seek mental health professionals, human resource specialists, and organizational leaders with a strong understanding of motivation, behavior, and relationships. Your bachelor’s degree could qualify you to fill one of these needs.

And for those who earn a terminal degree and ascend to the top of the field, earnings are well above the average for all professions. For instance, the Bureau of Labor of Statistics (BLS) indicates that the 2019 median pay for psychologists was $80,370; for postsecondary psychology teachers, $76,620; and for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, $97,260. These salaries far exceed a national average median for all jobs that falls just under $40,000 per year.

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Psychology is a valuable major for anyone interested in learning how the human mind works and what makes people tick. A psychology major will give you insights into how people interact socially, what makes them go off the deep end (abnormal psychology), how to test for personality traits, what the brain can tell us about emotions, and much more. A bachelor’s degree in psychology can prepare you for work in fields as diverse as psychological testing, counseling, and special-needs learning. It is also a great springboard to other areas of graduate study, such as law, education, politics, sociology, and social work.

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Psychology tends to be an easy major. It is classified as a social science rather than as a natural or exact science. As such, you can major in psychology without needing to know many, if any, STEM subjects (STEM = Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics). Moreover, by focusing on less technical fields in psychology (such as social psychology or counseling), it’s possible to keep the technical demands of a psychology major to a minimum.

That said, psychology is a field of endless depth and riches, and there will be plenty to keep you challenged if you want to be challenged. Even mathematics and statistics can play a big role in psychology as in psychological assessment/measurement and in mathematical models of cognition (see, for instance, the groundbreaking work of Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman). Similarly, psychology in the form of neuroscience requires a lot of biology and can also require computer science.

Some majors have what are called “major killers,” in other words, courses designed to weed out students who don’t measure up (computer science and electrical engineering are notorious for having such courses because there is such a demand for majors in these fields). Psychology typically doesn’t have such “major killer” courses.

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Course requirements for a psychology major include an introductory course or two that give an overview of the field, and then specific courses covering a range of areas such as cognition, perception, personality theory, abnormal psychology, social psychology, psychological testing, animal learning and behavior, neuropsychology, and counseling. A research methods and statistics course are also required, though beyond that the mathematics requirement tends to be minimal.

Many of the courses that psychology majors take will either have a laboratory component or a separate lab course. These can have human subjects (as in a cognition course testing memory) or animal subjects (as in a animal learning course training rats in an operant conditioning chamber). Taking such lab courses will be especially encouraged if you are thinking of going on to graduate school in psychology.

Advanced psychology majors may also be expected to engage in original research with a professor/mentor, working at on-campus laboratories or research facilities, as well as in the field. In that case, they will work closely with faculty, laboratory support staff, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows as they explore areas in psychology that interest them.

Many colleges and universities require of their psychology majors a senior capstone project consisting of original research and presented at some meeting or conference via a poster, workshop, or other presentation.

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Once you’ve declared your major in psychology, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized psychology electives, there are several common courses that most psychology majors will be required to take, including:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Ethics in Psychology
  • Theories of Behaviorism
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Forensics Psychology
  • Research Methodologies in Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Statistics
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Your “concentration” refers to a specific area of focus within your major. Many undergraduates will decide their concentrations once they get more familiar with the field of study, but in some cases, whether a school has the concentration you want can be a determining factor for chosing a school. A niche field like forensic psychology simply isn’t offered at every college. Therfore, giving some thought to what concentrations excite you the most can help you choose the right college for your psycholgoy degree. According to The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the following are among the most popular psychology concentrations:

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Community Psychology
  • Counseling Psychology
  • School Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Environmental Psychology
  • Family Psychology
  • Applied Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Psychopharmacology
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Truth be told, simply having a bachelor’s degree in psychology doesn’t offer you a lot of career options as a psychologist. Usually, additional graduate work or certifications are needed. Unlike engineering, where you can call yourself an “engineer” upon getting your bachelor’s degree in engineering, people tend to call themselves psychologists only when they have additional training beyond the bachelor’s level.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists seven types of professional psychologists:

  1. clinical psychologists,
  2. counseling psychologists,
  3. developmental psychologists,
  4. forensic psychologists,
  5. industrial-organizational psychologists
  6. rehabilitation psychologists, and
  7. school psychologists.

Psychology majors have a lot of career options. You’ll need to earn a doctoral degree in order to practice as a clinical psychologist, as well as a medical degree to become a practicing psychiatrist. A master’s degree can help you hone in on an area of concentration such as education, forensics, or mental health counseling. However, opportunities also abound in a wide range of work settings for undergraduates with an educational background in psychology. Depending on your degree level, a psychology major can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including these top jobs:

On the last point, applied behavioral analysis (ABA) has become very important with the increase of people on the autism spectrum and their need for special one-on-one training (for which there are not enough psychologists with advanced degrees). Any training and certification in ABA as a psychology major is likely to do you well.

Bottom line: If you are looking to work in the field of psychology with only a bachelor’s degree, you need to have a clear job objective in mind while pursuing your psychology major and you need to acquire the skills (and perhaps certifications) needed to get that job on graduation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

If you want to major in psychology and get a bachelor’s degree in that field, you need to decide not only which school to attend but also what type of school to attend. The best school for you to major in psychology will depend on the type of school that’s best for you. When it comes to the type of school for pursuing a psychology major, you have three broad choices:

Research universities are schools whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Such institutions offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, often with tens of thousands of students.

Is a big high-powered research environment the place for you? In deciding on where to do your psychology major as an undergraduate, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Are you good with being a face in a crowd, especially for some of the general introductory psychology classes that you’ll be taking, where you might be one among several hundred students? Are you okay with being a little fish in a big pond?

If you are serious about studying psychology and think you’ll eventually want to get a graduate degree in psychology, then a research university is probably the place for you. If you excel as an undergraduate at a research university, you’ll be able to take graduate courses your junior and senior years, and you may be invited to do research with some of your professors.

A research university can thus be a great springboard if you aspire to be a world-class player in the field of psychology.

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But perhaps your interest in psychology isn’t overwhelming. Perhaps you are thinking of psychology more as a stepping stone to other things that interest you, such as a career in law or education. And perhaps you want a more intimate campus.

In that case, a liberal arts college may be just what the doctor ordered. The best liberal arts colleges offer an excellent undergraduate education. In fact, students who do well at a top liberal arts college typically have no problem getting into and thriving at a top research university if upon completing their bachelor’s they decide to go on for further study.

The best liberal arts colleges offer a broad range of subjects for students to study. They typically provide smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Liberal arts colleges stress not only going deep in one’s major but also going broad.

Here’s another reason you might appreciate the breadth of a liberal arts education: about 80 percent of undergraduate students end up changing majors while in college and 60 percent of college grads would change majors if they had to do it again. Liberal arts colleges keep you from getting too narrowly focused.

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The verdict is in: other things being equal, a campus-based college experience is preferable to a purely online college experience. Indeed, nothing beats direct personal contact with faculty and fellow students. Body language, facial cues, voice intonation and a host of other factors like this get lost in going from “real reality” to “virtual reality.” These factors enhance the educational process and get lost in online education.

There was a key caveat in the previous paragraph: other things being equal. As it is, other things are rarely equal. You may be a second career student with a family to take care of and no way to juggle these obligations with a commute to a local campus. Online education may then be your only option.

Or it may be that you thrive on independence and solitude, working at your own pace and schedule, viewing video lectures and digital materials at your convenience. Online education gives you unmatched flexibility to pursue your education on your terms.

Life is a matter of tradeoffs. Pursuing a psychology major online will mean missing out on the benefits of campus life. Such benefits include everything from having housing and meals provided on campus to in-person office hours and counseling services. But where a campus-based education is not an option, an online education may be quite doable.

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If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in psychology.

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Ranking: Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Programs

  1. #1

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA
    #4 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #4 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Swarthmore College

    Cost of Degree: $62,412
    Expenses: $21,691
    Starting Salary: $44,984
    Salary after 4 years: $61,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Swarthmore College known for?

    Swarthmore College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Swarthmore College Psychology Major

    • Psychology Major and Minor

    Source

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown , CT
    #1 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Connecticut 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in Connecticut 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $67,016
    Expenses: $21,704
    Starting Salary: $40,743
    Salary after 4 years: $55,429
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Wesleyan University known for?

    Wesleyan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Wesleyan University Psychology Majors

    • Psychology
    • BA/MA Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA
    #3 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #3 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #5 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #1 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1485/33

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Amherst College

    Cost of Degree: $67,280
    Expenses: $20,360
    Starting Salary: $53,531
    Salary after 4 years: $72,828
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Amherst College known for?

    Amherst College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Amherst College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA
    #20 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #21 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in California 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Pomona College

    Cost of Degree: $62,326
    Expenses: $22,974
    Starting Salary: $49,675
    Salary after 4 years: $67,582
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Pomona College known for?

    Pomona College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Pomona College Psychology Major

    • Psychological Science Major and Minor

    Source

    Compare school
  5. #5

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA
    #9 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #9 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #4 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Wellesley College

    Cost of Degree: $64,320
    Expenses: $21,970
    Starting Salary: $46,141
    Salary after 4 years: $62,773
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Wellesley College known for?

    Wellesley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Wellesley College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Claremont McKenna College

    Claremont , CA
    #5 Best Small Colleges in California 2025 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2025 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    10%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/34

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Claremont McKenna College

    Cost of Degree: $64,150
    Expenses: $22,350
    Starting Salary: $59,893
    Salary after 4 years: $81,483
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Claremont McKenna College known for?

    Claremont McKenna College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Claremont McKenna College Psychology Major

    • Psychological Science

    Source

    Compare school
  8. #7

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME
    #25 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Bowdoin College

    Cost of Degree: $64,910
    Expenses: $20,190
    Starting Salary: $53,531
    Salary after 4 years: $72,828
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bowdoin College known for?

    Bowdoin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Bowdoin College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  9. #8

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA
    #5 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #6 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1525/34

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Williams College

    Cost of Degree: $64,860
    Expenses: $20,000
    Starting Salary: $57,708
    Salary after 4 years: $78,510
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Williams College known for?

    Williams College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Williams College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  10. #9

    Barnard College

    New York , NY
    #10 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #10 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 Best Small Colleges in New York 2025 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Barnard College

    Cost of Degree: $66,246
    Expenses: $23,562
    Starting Salary: $44,791
    Salary after 4 years: $60,937
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Barnard College known for?

    Barnard College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Barnard College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  11. #10

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie , NY
    #11 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #13 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #3 Best Small Colleges in New York 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1482/33

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Vassar College

    Cost of Degree: $67,805
    Expenses: $19,665
    Starting Salary: $39,522
    Salary after 4 years: $53,768
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Vassar College known for?

    Vassar College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Vassar College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  13. #11

    Reed College

    Portland , OR
    #1 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #17 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #17 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    31%

    Graduation

    80%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1410/31

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Reed College

    Cost of Degree: $67,020
    Expenses: $19,520
    Starting Salary: $33,867
    Salary after 4 years: $46,075
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Reed College known for?

    Reed College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Reed College Psychology Majors

    • Psychology
    • Neuroscience

    Source

    Compare school
  14. #12

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT
    #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1482/34

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Middlebury College

    Cost of Degree: $65,280
    Expenses: $20,600
    Starting Salary: $46,205
    Salary after 4 years: $62,861
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Middlebury College known for?

    Middlebury College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Middlebury College Psychology Major

    • BA in Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  15. #13

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH
    #7 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #8 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Small Colleges in Ohio 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Ohio 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    35%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1445/31

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Oberlin College

    Cost of Degree: $64,646
    Expenses: $22,758
    Starting Salary: $29,240
    Salary after 4 years: $39,780
    Cost Recoup Time: 25 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Oberlin College known for?

    Oberlin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Oberlin College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  16. #14

    Carleton College

    Northfield , MN
    #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Minnesota 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/33

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Carleton College

    Cost of Degree: $65,457
    Expenses: $19,436
    Starting Salary: $43,635
    Salary after 4 years: $59,364
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Carleton College known for?

    Carleton College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Carleton College Psychology Major Fields of Study

    • Biological and Behavioral Processes
    • Cognitive Studies
    • Social Behavior, Development, Personality, Clinical Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  17. #15

    United States Military Academy

    West Point , NY
    #5 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in New York 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in New York 2024
    Other Rankings

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1335/30

    What is United States Military Academy known for?

    United States Military Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    West Point Psychology Major Tracks

    • Applied Psychology
    • Organizational Psychology and Leadership

    Source

    Compare school
  19. #16

    Davidson College

    Davidson , NC
    #4 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina 2025 #2 Best Christian Colleges in North Carolina 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1425/32

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Davidson College

    Cost of Degree: $60,050
    Expenses: $19,175
    Starting Salary: $45,691
    Salary after 4 years: $62,161
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Davidson College known for?

    Davidson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Davidson College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  20. #17

    Colgate University

    Hamilton , NY
    #7 Best Small Colleges in New York 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1470/33

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Colgate University

    Cost of Degree: $67,024
    Expenses: $20,046
    Starting Salary: $52,117
    Salary after 4 years: $70,904
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Colgate University known for?

    Colgate University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Colgate University Psychology Majors

    • Psychological Science
    • Neuroscience

    Source

    Compare school
  21. #18

    Smith College

    Northampton , MA
    #6 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #7 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #3 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    23%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1445/32

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Smith College

    Cost of Degree: $61,568
    Expenses: $24,462
    Starting Salary: $32,838
    Salary after 4 years: $44,676
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Smith College known for?

    Smith College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Smith College Psychology Major Tracks

    • Mind and Brain
    • Health and Illness
    • Person and Society

    Source

    Compare school
  22. #19

    Kenyon College

    Gambier , OH
    #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Ohio 2025 #3 Best Small Colleges in Ohio 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in Ohio 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $66K

    Acceptance

    34%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1432/32

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Kenyon College

    Cost of Degree: $69,330
    Expenses: $18,260
    Starting Salary: $35,023
    Salary after 4 years: $47,648
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Kenyon College known for?

    Kenyon College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Kenyon College Psychology Majors

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  26. #22

    California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo , CA
    #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025 #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025 #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    23K

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

    Cost of Degree: $11,075
    Expenses: $21,246
    Starting Salary: $48,118
    Salary after 4 years: $64,036
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo known for?

    California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Psychology Majors

    • Psychology
    • Child Development

    Source

    Compare school
  27. #23

    Bryn Mawr College

    Bryn Mawr , PA
    #14 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #15 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #3 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    31%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1387/31

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Bryn Mawr College

    Cost of Degree: $62,560
    Expenses: $20,690
    Starting Salary: $39,200
    Salary after 4 years: $53,331
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bryn Mawr College known for?

    Bryn Mawr College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Bryn Mawr College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Minors:

    • Child and Family Studies
    • Computational Methods
    • Health Studies
    • Neuroscience

    Source

    Compare school
  28. #24

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA
    #19 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #20 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1485/34

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at Haverford College

    Cost of Degree: $68,020
    Expenses: $22,082
    Starting Salary: $48,262
    Salary after 4 years: $65,658
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Haverford College known for?

    Haverford College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Haverford College Psychology Major

    • Psychology

    Source

    Compare school
  29. #25

    San Francisco State University

    San Francisco , CA
    #16 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2025 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in California 2025 #9 Best Public Colleges in California 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    30K

    Career Outlook for Psychology degree at San Francisco State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,424
    Expenses: $23,032
    Starting Salary: $35,424
    Salary after 4 years: $47,144
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is San Francisco State University known for?

    San Francisco State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    San Francisco State University Psychology Major

    • BA in Psychology

    Source

    Compare school

Career Outlook for Students with Psychology Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Psychology

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $31,232
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $41,564
  • * denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists5.81%$147,420
Managers, All Other5.75%$133,560
Psychologists, All Other4.95%$117,750
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists13.28%$96,100
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary4.89%$82,140

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists$147,420
Managers, All Other$133,560
Psychologists, All Other$117,750
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.

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology programs

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