Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs 2024
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Contributing Reviewer
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Contributing Reviewer
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With a degree in psychology, you can work in a clinical setting, in schools, or in workplaces. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for psychologists is growing faster than average as people grow more aware of the impact of mental health on other aspects of life, like learning.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Why University of Florida - Online Ranks No. 1 This Year
University of Florida landed in the top spot this year for a number of reasons, primarily for affordability. It ranked No.1 for net price. If you're an in-state student, the cost of attending UF Online is only $129 per credit hour. The school's online psychology program also has a high graduation rate of 72%.
It was also the top school for degree completion rates for students from low and middle-income backgrounds, demonstrating its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The school also has a strong reputation. Graduates earn an average salary of $47,700 six years after entering college at University of Florida.
Top Online Bachelor's in Psychology Programs of 2024
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL - 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $129
Out-of-State | $553
Credits to Graduate: 120
The University of Florida's online psychology degree approaches psychology as a natural and social science. The curriculum includes statistics, mathematics, biology, and core psychology courses and electives.
First-time applicants need four years of English and mathematics, three years of science and social sciences, and two years of foreign language. The minimum GPA requirement is 2.5, but competitive GPAs start at 3.7. Standardized test scores are required for applicants who graduated within the last five years.
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $421
Out-of-State | $1,428
Credits to Graduate: 120
Enrollees can choose from two options for a bachelor's degree in psychology from George Mason University: a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS). Students learn about developmental, abnormal, and social psychology in both programs. However, a BA requires three credits of foreign language, while a BS focuses on general education in math and science.
Students can choose an optional forensic, industrial-organizational, applied, or developmental psychology concentration. A required career readiness course covers learners' options in the social sciences.
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $260
Out-of-State | $260
Credits to Graduate: 122
The University of Utah's psychology degree online program offers two degree pathways: a fully online bachelor of science degree (BS) or a bachelor of arts degree (BA) that requires the completion of foreign language courses on campus. Students take four core psychology courses, then choose one course from five psychology specializations: behavioral/neuroscience, developmental, clinical, social, and cognitive psychology.
Students who live near campus can work as research assistants, interns, or peer advisors or participate in the local honor society.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $380
Out-of-State | $380
Credits to Graduate: 120
The University of Massachusetts-Lowell online psychology degree program includes general education, world languages and culture courses, and psychology core and elective courses.
With the instructor's approval, seniors can take a graduate-level course as their advanced psychology elective.
The program accepts up to 90 transfer credits, so students with enough existing credit can complete a bachelor's degree in psychology in one year. Additionally, all online students, including international students, pay the same tuition. Students pay a net price of $14,070 per year after financial aid.
All online students, including international students, pay the same tuition.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $617
Out-of-State | $734
Credits to Graduate: 120
The University of Missouri-Columbia's online psychology degree is a joint project with the University of Missouri-St. Louis. students can take courses from both schools. This psychology degree emphasizes research, including gathering data and reporting on findings.
Learners must complete a capstone project to graduate. Other requirements include 30 credits in psychology and three in statistics. Enrollees may also choose an optional concentration, such as clinical, social, or developmental psychology, or design their own concentration with their advisor.
Florida International University
Miami, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $153
Out-of-State | $567
Credits to Graduate: 120
Florida International University's online psychology degree requirements include courses in math; biology; career development; a research sequence; and developmental, cognitive, and social psychology.
FIU guarantees admission to applicants who graduate from partner two-year degree programs within three years. Transfer students apply online with a $30 application fee and official college transcripts. Applicants with fewer than 60 college credits must provide official high school transcripts and SAT, ACT, or CLT scores.
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $179
Out-of-State | $716
Credits to Graduate: 120
The University of Central Florida's online psychology degree offers five specialty tracks: clinical, experimental, human factors, industrial-organizational, or neuroscience and a general track. The program emphasizes psychology terms, statistics, and research skills. Students can deepen their psychology knowledge through research, an optional capstone project, fieldwork, or internships.
The program pairs students with success coaches who answer non-academic questions and connect them with resources. Students should direct academic questions to their instructors or advisors.
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $315
Out-of-State | $315
Credits to Graduate: 120
John Brown University's online psychology degree offers a standard bachelor's degree in psychology or an accelerated program to finish their master's in counseling a year sooner. The private Christian university encourages students to integrate psychology, faith, and theology.
Learners must complete 43 hours of psychology courses and up to 20 hours of specialty coursework in natural sciences, foreign language, counseling, or a school-approved specialty unique to the student. Students must select a specialty area or create a new specialty approved by the school. Some required specialty courses are only available on campus.
Students are encouraged to submit their capstone project to the undergraduate psychology journal.
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $350
Out-of-State | $350
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarter-credits
Oregon State University's online psychology degree program emphasizes the scientific aspects of psychology, including research methodology, problem-solving, statistics, data collection, and data analysis. Students who qualify for the honors program can collaborate with instructors on research projects.
The 180 credits required to graduate are the equivalent of 120 semester credits. Students with credits from previous college work can request a free, informal transcript evaluation to determine how their credits might transfer.
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Stillwater, OK - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $421
Out-of-State | $939
Credits to Graduate: 120
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus's online psychology degree enables students to minor or double major, often without the need to extend their program hours. Learners must complete U.S. history, international studies, diversity, math and statistics, natural sciences, and psychology core and elective courses. To declare a psychology major, students must pass core math and psychology courses with at least a 2.0 grade.
Active-duty military may qualify for resident tuition rates. The school does not require test scores for admission. However, some scholarships require test scores, so the school encourages submitting them.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
More Bachelor's in Psychology Programs
Some schools just missed the cut for our top 10 online psychology programs, but might still be the right school for you. Oklahoma State University's online psychology program has competitive student outcomes and gives you the option to add a second major or minor.
Another leading program is the University of Minnesota Duluth. Graduates from its online bachelor of applied science in psychology have gone on to work in unique roles like adoption counselor for the Animal Allies Humane Society.
Is a Psychology Degree Worth It?
When deciding whether or not to go for your psychology degree, there are a number of advantages and drawbacks you should consider. With this degree, you'll open a variety of career opportunities in different settings. It can also be rewarding to help people overcome their personal struggles.
On the other hand, you may find topics involving trauma to be emotionally draining. A number of psychology jobs — such as therapist or social worker — will require a master's degree. Instead of going for a psychology bachelor's degree, you could choose a similar program like social work, sociology, or neuroscience.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Psychology Program
There are a number of key factors you should consider when choosing the right psychology program for you.
Consider:
-
Cost
Some schools offer a special per-credit rate for online learners. -
Flexibility
Programs can be taught on a traditional schedule or in an asynchronous format. Depending on other demands in your life, you may need a more flexible program. -
Location
For some online programs, your tuition will be determined by your residency status. Depending on the school, out-of-state tuition might be substantially higher than in-state. -
Program length
Some programs may be longer than others. Other schools might offer accelerated programs, or allow you to transfer as many as 90 credits from your prior education, cutting down the amount of courses you'll need to complete. -
Career goals
If you plan on going to graduate school and pursuing a career in research and academia, you should make sure the college you go to in undergrad has opportunities for you to do research for a psychology professor. Some graduate programs require research experience before applying.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed June 24, 2024.
