Psychology Schools in California
The following guide to psychology programs in California provides important information that will allow you to choose the best psychology school for your career goals.
Table of Contents
- California Psychology School Facts
- Top-Ranked Psychology Programs
- Top 25 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
- Graduate Psychology Program Comparison
- Related Articles
- Student Reviews
California Psychology School Facts
- There are 211 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in California.1
- 113 schools offer an associate degree in psychology.1
- 86 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 71 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- 27 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best General Psychology Schools 2024.2
- No schools ranked in Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs.3
- 10 schools ranked in The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024.4
- 9 schools ranked in Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023.5
- 10 schools ranked in Lowest-Priced Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology.1
Nationally Ranked Top Psychology Programs in California
Our curated list of third-party and proprietary rankings can be useful in measuring the overall value and reputation of a program. Lists include College Factual, Psychology Degree 411, The Princeton Review, and Times Higher Education. Note if one of these lists is not present below, no schools in the state were named on it. Generally, schools and programs ranked on multiple lists tend to be stronger in academic quality.
Schools Ranked on Multiple Lists
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- California State University-East Bay
- California State University-Fullerton
- California State University-Long Beach
- California State University-Northridge
- California State University-Sacramento
- California State University-San Marcos
- San Diego State University
- San Jose State University
- Stanford University
- University of California-Davis
- University of California-Irvine
- University of California-Los Angeles
- University of California-San Diego
- University of California-Santa Barbara
- University of California-Santa Cruz
- University of Southern California
College Factual’s Best Psychology Schools 2024
- University of California-Los Angeles (#6)
- University of Southern California (#9)
- University of California-Irvine (#18)
- University of California-San Diego (#27)
- Santa Clara University (#29)
- University of California-Santa Cruz (#40)
- Loma Linda University (#64)
- San Jose State University (#65)
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles (#68)
- University of San Diego (#85)
- California State University-Long Beach (#86)
- Pepperdine University (#89)
- San Diego State University (#92)
- California State University-Fullerton (#118)
- Palo Alto University (#122)
- California State University-Northridge (#135)
- Claremont Graduate University (#136)
- University of California-Davis (#138)
- University of Arizona Global Campus (#150)
- California State University-Sacramento (#157)
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (#160)
- National University (#173)
- Loyola Marymount University (#175)
- Northcentral University (#178)
- California State University-East Bay (#184)
- California State University-San Marcos (#185)
- Occidental College (#190)2
The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024
- Pitzer College
- Stanford University
- University of California-Davis
- University of California-Los Angeles
- University of California-Merced
- University of California-Riverside
- University of California-Santa Barbara
- University of California-Santa Cruz
- University of San Francisco
- University of Southern California4
Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023
- Stanford University (#1)
- University of California-Berkeley (#6)
- University of California-Los Angeles (#11)
- University of California-Davis (#32)
- University of California-San Diego (#33)
- University of California-Irvine (#52)
- University of California-Santa Barbara (#57)
- University of Southern California (#101-125)
- University of California-Santa Cruz (#151-175)5
Lowest-Priced Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology
The following California schools with bachelor’s degrees in psychology have the lowest average net prices. Please note that we grouped regional campuses together and included a range for the net price of these schools. We have included each school’s graduation rate, a key quality metric.
- California State University Regional Campuses ($5,068-$15,517 / Grad rate: 46%-73%)
- California State Polytechnic University Regional Campuses ($12,480-$14,325 / Grad rate: 46%-73%)
- San Diego State University ($13,017 / Grad rate: 78%)
- San Francisco State University ($13,267 / Grad rate: 55%)
- University of California Regional Campuses ($13,549-$17,975 / Grad rate: 67%-92%)
- San Jose State University ($14,219 / Grad rate: 68%)
- Fresno Pacific University ($15,255 / Grad rate: 50%)
- Sonoma State University ($15,507 / Grad rate: 60%)
- Touro University Worldwide ($17,068 / Grad rate: 56%)
- Stanford University ($18,279 / Grad rate: 95%)1
Top 25 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in California
This table compares the top 25 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in California based on a graduation rate above 55% and an annual net price below $20,000. A high graduation rate is a top indicator of student success, and affordability is a key consideration for prospective undergrad students. Programs in bold text offer hybrid or online options.
| School | Grad Rate*1 | Accept Rate1 | Median Debt*6 | Median Earnings*6 | Full Price In State1 | Full Price Out of State1 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Fresno | 56% | 95% | $14,505 | $55,534 | $12,145 | $12,145 | $7,507 |
| California State University-Stanislaus | 55% | 97% | $13,540 | $58,120 | $19,116 | $30,996 | $7,555 |
| California State University-Fullerton | 69% | 67% | $13,750 | $58,585 | $23,709 | $35,589 | $7,925 |
| California State University-Northridge | 56% | 91% | $13,872 | $56,375 | $18,917 | $30,797 | $8,936 |
| California State University-Long Beach | 73% | 40% | $14,289 | $60,973 | $21,816 | $33,696 | $9,346 |
| California State University-San Marcos | 57% | 95% | $17,350 | $59,495 | $21,705 | $33,585 | $10,463 |
| California State University-Monterey Bay | 61% | 92% | $12,750 | $54,470 | $23,585 | $35,465 | $11,435 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 66% | 55% | $16,000 | $67,406 | $23,769 | $35,649 | $12,480 |
| San Diego State University | 78% | 39% | $15,000 | $61,522 | $27,888 | $39,768 | $13,017 |
| San Francisco State University | 55% | 94% | $15,371 | $64,797 | $25,479 | $37,359 | $13,267 |
| California State University-Channel Islands | 57% | 90% | $15,000 | $55,921 | $23,117 | $34,997 | $13,540 |
| University of California-Merced | 67% | 89% | $16,144 | $63,365 | $33,131 | $63,203 | $13,549 |
| University of California-Irvine | 87% | 21% | $15,000 | $76,593 | $31,638 | $61,710 | $14,033 |
| San Jose State University | 68% | 77% | $15,000 | $72,635 | $26,467 | $38,347 | $14,219 |
| University of California-Riverside | 76% | 69% | $17,500 | $63,645 | $31,207 | $43,946 | $14,487 |
| Sonoma State University | 60% | 94% | $16,705 | $62,725 | $22,986 | $34,866 | $15,507 |
| California State University-Chico | 64% | 95% | $16,552 | $61,010 | $23,184 | $35,064 | $15,517 |
| University of California-San Diego | 88% | 24% | $15,500 | $82,255 | $31,616 | $61,688 | $16,111 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | 86% | 26% | $13,993 | $70,326 | $31,500 | $61,572 | $16,874 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | 92% | 9% | $14,000 | $79,826 | $30,632 | $60,704 | $16,999 |
| Touro University Worldwide | 56% | N.Av. | $25,000 | N.Av. | $32,254 | $32,254 | $17,068 |
| University of California-Davis | 86% | 37% | $13,000 | $74,305 | $32,550 | $62,622 | $17,385 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | 77% | 47% | $16,666 | $64,166 | $32,425 | $62,497 | $17,975 |
| Stanford University | 95% | 4% | $12,000 | $106,987 | $77,035 | $77,035 | $18,279 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 85% | 30% | $18,500 | $85,801 | $26,768 | $44,678 | $19,184 |
*See Table Notes at bottom of page.
Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in California
This table compares all of California’s graduate-level psychology programs from not-for-profit schools on multiple factors.
We’ve included accreditation status by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We also highlight the levels offered, 2020-2022 pass rates for the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), and tuition information. Note EPPP scores are reported by degree type (clinical, counseling, or school psychology) and level (PhD or PsyD), so some schools may be listed more than once to include all pass rates. Schools in bold text offer hybrid or online options. Tuition per credit hour is more relevant for master’s and PsyD programs due to the fact that PhD students typically receive more program-awarded funding.
| School | Accreditation7-10 | Levels Offered | EPPP Pass Rate 2020-2211 | EPPP # Taking 2020-2211 | Grad Tuition Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioch University-Los Angeles | — | MA | — | — | $909 |
| Antioch University-Santa Barbara | — | MA | — | — | $909 |
| Azusa Pacific University | APA, NASP | MA, MEd, MS, PsyD | 55% | 76 | $783 |
| Biola University (Clinical PhD) | APA | PhD, PsyD | 97% | 29 | $1,727 |
| Biola University (Clinical PsyD) | APA | PhD, PsyD | 56% | 36 | $1,727 |
| California Baptist University | APA | MA, MS, PsyD | — | — | $756 |
| California Institute of Integral Studies | — | MA, PhD, PsyD | — | — | $1,285 |
| California Lutheran University | APA | MS, PsyD | 62% | 26 | $885 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | — | MS | — | — | $1,038 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | — | MA | — | — | $775 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | — | MS | — | — | $1,128 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | — | MS | — | — | $1,388 |
| California State University-Chico | — | MA, MS | — | — | $1,623 |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills | — | MA | — | — | $1,388 |
| California State University-Fresno | NASP | MA, EdS | — | — | $2,083 |
| California State University-Fullerton | — | MA, MS | — | — | $882 |
| California State University-Long Beach | NASP | MA, MS, EdS | — | — | $2,082 |
| California State University-Los Angeles | NASP | MA, MS | — | — | $2,082 |
| California State University-Monterey Bay | — | MS | — | — | $2,003 |
| California State University-Northridge | — | MA, MS | — | — | $2,082 |
| California State University-Sacramento | NASP | MA | — | — | $1,665 |
| California State University-San Bernardino | — | MS, EdS | — | — | $1,665 |
| California State University-San Marcos | — | MA | — | — | $2,082 |
| California State University-Stanislaus | — | MA, MS | — | — | $1,914 |
| Chapman University | — | EdS | — | — | $1,130 |
| Claremont Graduate University | — | MA, PhD | — | — | $1,660 |
| Concordia University-Irvine | — | MA | — | — | $665 |
| Dominican University of California | — | MA, MS, PhD | — | — | $1,210 |
| Fielding Graduate University | APA | MA, PhD | 47% | 113 | $615 |
| Fresno Pacific University | — | MA | — | — | $730 |
| Fuller Theological Seminary (Clinical PhD) | APA | PhD, PsyD | 81% | 52 | $723 |
| Fuller Theological Seminary (Clinical PsyD) | APA | PhD, PsyD | 77% | 26 | $723 |
| Golden Gate University | — | MA | — | — | $1,090 |
| La Sierra University | — | EdD, EdS | — | — | $730 |
| Loma Linda University (Clinical PhD) | APA | PhD, PsyD | 67% | 6 | $840 |
| Loma Linda University (Clinical PsyD) | APA | PhD, PsyD | 75% | 8 | $840 |
| Los Angeles Pacific University | — | MA | — | — | $660 |
| Loyola Marymount University | NASP | MA, EdS | — | — | $1,536 |
| Marymount California University | — | MA | — | — | $1,275 |
| National University | APA | MA, MS, PhD, PsyD | 26% | 19 | $663 |
| Notre Dame de Namur University | — | MS | — | — | $998 |
| Palo Alto University (Clinical PhD) | APA | MS, PhD, PsyD | 86% | 185 | $984 |
| Palo Alto University (Clinical PsyD) | APA | MS, PhD, PsyD | 99% | 84 | $984 |
| Pepperdine University | APA | MA, PsyD | 80% | 75 | $1,510 |
| Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America | — | MA | — | — | $617 |
| Reiss-Davis Graduate School | — | PsyD | — | — | $861 |
| Saint Mary’s College of California | — | EdS | — | — | $1,130 |
| San Diego State University | APA, NASP | EdS, PhD | — | — | $810 |
| San Diego State University (Joint Program w/ UCSD) | APA, NASP | EdS, PhD | 100% | 32 | $810 |
| San Jose State University | — | MA, MS | — | — | $275 |
| Santa Clara University | — | MA | — | — | $1,160 |
| Saybrook University | — | MA, PhD | — | — | $1,590 |
| Simpson University | — | MA | — | — | $590 |
| Southern California Seminary | — | MA, PsyD | — | — | $860 |
| Stanford University | — | PhD | — | — | $1,224 |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Anaheim | APA | MA, PsyD | 31% | 13 | $1,368 |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles | APA | MA, PhD, PsyD | 19% | 139 | $1,368 |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at San Diego | — | MA, PsyD | — | — | $1,368 |
| The Wright Institute | APA | MA, PsyD | 71% | 168 | $1,225 |
| Touro University Worldwide | — | MA, MS, PsyD | — | — | $500 |
| University of California-Berkeley (Clinical PhD) | APA, NASP | EdS, PhD | 100% | 14 | $1,300 |
| University of California-Berkeley (School PhD) | APA, NASP | EdS, PhD | 92% | 12 | $1,300 |
| University of California-Davis | — | MA, PhD | — | — | $2,044 |
| University of California-Irvine | — | MLFP, PhD | — | — | $2,044 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | APA | PhD | 97% | 31 | $1,511 |
| University of California-Merced | — | PhD | — | — | $1,290 |
| University of California-Riverside | APA, NASP | PhD | 88% | 8 | $2,044 |
| University of California-San Diego | — | PhD | — | — | $2,044 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | APA, NASP | PhD | 82% | 34 | $2,044 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | — | PhD | — | — | $279 |
| University of La Verne | APA | MS, PsyD | 77% | 22 | $800 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | — | MA, EdS | — | — | $709 |
| University of San Francisco | APA | PsyD | 50% | 22 | $1,555 |
| University of Southern California | APA | MS, PhD | 88% | 16 | $2,137 |
| University of the Pacific | — | MA, EdD, PsyD | — | — | $1,653 |
| Vanguard University of Southern California | — | MS | — | — | $820 |
| William Jessup University | — | MA | — | — | $550 |
Related Articles
- Degree Levels Overview: Associate to PhD
- California Licensure Guide
- Top Online Bachelor’s Programs Ranking
- Psychology Careers by Degree Level
California Schools With Psychology Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and not everyone has the same results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews, and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
American River College
4700 College Oak Dr
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 484-8011
https://arc.losrios.edu/
Student Review: “I really enjoyed the vast majority of professors I had in my psychology program. Each semester was new and I had new experiences (mostly good) with each new professor. This made things a little more difficult, but it conditioned me to become a better student throughout the years and I really enjoyed all the different aspects of psychology that I learned from many different people. I also enjoyed the support I was given, and many of my professors continued to help me even after I had finished and passed their classes. All-in-all, I loved the entire feeling I got from the school. I had minimal problems, I loved most of my professors and classes, and overall I would do it all over again if I could.” – student at American River College
University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University)
16355 Laguna Canyon Rd #3
Irvine, CA 92618
(855) 231-9710
https://www.umassglobal.edu/
Student Review: “I attended and recently completed the BA Psychology program at Brandman University. Overall I had a pleasant experience. I was assigned a counselor who was very attentive and helped me lock in the courses I needed ahead of time to keep my student plan organized and up to date, allowing me to apply and receive the student aid that I was qualified for. The courses were 8 weeks long, so it was imperative to stay on top of all coursework and assignments and plan as far ahead as possible. It was essential to have your books on the first day of class to get familiar with the material and what was expected of you by the professors. The courses were challenging. They forced me to think outside the box, be creative, and learn to research both qualitative and quantitative data and be able to produce reports and properly present the information I had gathered. Overall I give Brandman an A+ for excellent counselors, professors, a well-structured curriculum, and for having night classes as well as online classes. I would recommend Brandman University to anyone who willing to work hard for their degree!” – Student at Brandman University
California State, Channel Islands
1 University Dr
Camarillo, CA 93012
(805) 437-8400
https://www.csuci.edu/
Student Review: “The Psychology program at Cal State Channel Islands is phenomenal. From the very beginning of my freshman year, the Psych program nurtures and teaches you how to utilize methods and theories that can be applied to real life. The classes offered to try to integrate other majors into the program so that the psych students are able to have a broader spectrum on how psychology is in our everyday life. The department chair of the program not only runs the program but actually teaches some of the upper division classes. Since our school is so small it’s so easy for your professor to know your name and it’s very likely you will have that professor for multiple classes. The one way I think they can improve is if they offered more online classes for certain classes.” – student at California State, Channel Islands
California State, Fullerton
800 N State College Blvd
Fullerton, CA 92831
(657) 278-2011
https://www.fullcoll.edu/
Student Review: “My experience with Cal State Fullerton’s psychology department was very positive. The professors seemed very knowledgeable about their specialties and the classes themselves were structured very well. Several of my professors had published books on the topic of psychology and were well-respected in their fields. My abnormal psychology professor was a particular favorite. She was very skilled at teaching and the subject was extremely interesting. The best part was the case studies from former patients. Without identifying anyone, she provided real-life examples of session notes and behaviors of the patients. It was far more useful than the textbook examples and greatly helped the students to understand the disorders.” – student at California State, Fullerton
California State, San Marcos
333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 750-4000
https://www.csusm.edu/
Student Review: “Cal State San Marcos’s psychology program was very enriching for me. The curriculum was always very interesting and hands-on, and undergrad students got to participate in studies organized by the graduate students. Additionally, we are given the opportunity to do research alongside professors. One thing that could have been better was having more guest speakers from various specializations within the psychology world. We never really had any, other than our professors, so specific questions that we may have had often got broad answers, which was not very helpful. However, the professors were extremely helpful when it came to their specific subject and understanding the material. They worked very closely with us to keep us from falling behind.” – student at California State, San Marcos
College of the Redwoods
7351 Tompkins Hill Rd
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 476-4100
https://www.redwoods.edu/
Student Review: “I took a variety of classes at CR before narrowing my field of study to psychology. I found some related electives, such as crime and delinquency (administration of justice) and intro to race and ethnic relations (sociology) which really helped me broaden my understanding. My favorite class by far was lifespan development, which focused on mental abilities and specific psychological issues from infancy to end of life. Another interesting class was abnormal psychology, in which we learned about mood disorders, personality disorders, and other issues. The one mistake I made was taking intro to psych after the other classes, which meant that it was mostly review. With regard to CR in general, I found it to be a welcoming and easy-to-navigate campus, tucked into the scenic redwoods of Humboldt County. It was also very affordable: at the time, I paid about 26 dollars per credit. CR also has a transfer agreement with Humboldt State University, for those looking to get into a higher-level program. Overall, aside from the commute, I found it very enjoyable.” – student at College of the Redwoods
Columbia College
11600 Columbia College Dr
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 588-5100
https://www.gocolumbia.edu/
Student Review: “Attending Columbia College was a great experience for me. The campus is natural and scenic and my instructors were knowledgeable and available. During my time taking courses for a Sports Psychology degree, I learned a wealth of information. Some of my coursework was online and this portion went very smoothly. My instructors were available weekly between classes to help with questions and exam preparation. I am pleased with what I have learned in Psychology and Sports Psychology, and I have been able to use my degree to further my career and to be better qualified for advancement. I think Columbia College is a good choice for anyone who is reasonably local, and is interested in coursework involving Psychology and/or Sports Psychology.” – Student at Columbia College
Fielding Graduate University
2020 De La Vina St
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(800) 340-1099
https://www.fielding.edu/
Student Review: “I have worked in the Federal Bureau of Prisons system at Butner FCI II, a medium custody unit, and found that particular experience to be a mixed bag. While it was a great experience to be involved in the federal prison system itself, I was not at all satisfied with my supervisor. I did not get the face-to-face time as expected. I am currently completing my doctoral internship within the NCDPS and am enjoying nearly all aspects of this internship. I have had access to both inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment, in group and individual sessions, suicide risk assessments, and crisis intervention. I’ve had excellent supervision from multiple supervisors and am completing my last rotation with potential job offers. My program has offered support if problems occurred and have adeptly handled any issues with positive outcomes. Additionally, my clinical internship director has personally congratulated me on my mid-term evaluation.” – student at Fielding Graduate University
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Dr
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 594-5200
https://www.sdsu.edu/
Student Review: “When I decided to go to San Diego State University, I entered as an undeclared freshman, unaware and naive as to what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I took a medley of classes hoping to find my true calling. It wasn’t until I took Psychology 101 when I realized that was what I truly wanted to study. It all seemed like common sense which gave me a new perspective on human interactions and how the brain truly works. It highly intrigued and captivated me from the first class to my graduation this past spring. While writing 30-page research papers and studies definitely occupied me in my final year or two, I never stopped loving the subject matter. It only drove me to work harder to reach my goal. Taking a dive into the human psyche was the most exhilarating feeling and experience. While many may not agree with my decision in diving into such a difficult job market, I am still happy with the choice I made to take that Psychology 101 class my freshman year to help me find my true calling.” – student at San Diego State University
San Jose State
1 Washington Sq
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 924-1000
https://www.sjsu.edu/
Student Review: “I really love the psychology program at San Jose State. As a freshman, I was undeclared but I took an intro psychology class and I fell in love with it. The professor teaching that class helped me a lot with making my decision and almost all the professors I’ve met in my major are awesome and really help the students. Psychology is actually pretty hard and not easy like everyone thinks, and I struggled a bit sometimes, but with the support of my fellow students and professors, I was able to pull through and succeed. Honestly, without the professors, I would’ve failed. I love everything about the psychology program, except for one or two professors that I’ve encountered. They weren’t terrible, but they weren’t great either. However, there are way more good professors than bad ones and overall, my experience has been wonderful.” – Student at San Jose State
Stanford University
450 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305
(650) 723-2300
https://www.stanford.edu/
Student Review: “Considering Stanford has one of the best psychology programs in the world, my experience was probably the best it could have been. Learning from Zimbardo and other famous, groundbreaking researchers in the field was an experience that I couldn’t have had anywhere else. I was able to take classes on things that were extremely interesting and applicable to everyday life, such as judgment and decision making, perception psychology, neuroscience and personality, cultural psychology, and more. The teachers were easy to talk to at any time, understanding, available, and always willing to help me go above and beyond in my research. I thoroughly enjoyed writing every paper I had to write in my college career because the subject material was so fascinating. Everything I learned, I still use and think about on a daily basis.” – Student at Stanford University
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
(510) 642-6000
https://www.berkeley.edu/
Student Review: “My undergraduate experience as a psychology major at UC Berkeley has been amazing. I was initially intimidated by the cap for the major, believing it competitive to get in, but I strongly feel that the GPA requirements (3.2 when I applied) and timeline are completely reasonable. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with professors who were not only world-renowned researchers but also approachable individuals. Furthermore, as a research university, UC Berkeley provides countless opportunities for participation in research. Students had to participate in studies to pass most upper-division psychology classes, and those interested in pursuing lab work could do so through a research apprenticeship program or by working as a research assistant. There are also many extracurricular opportunities for psychology students. My one complaint is that the material, which is very reasonable, can be a little too easy. Some of the tests were too easy. I have achieved a GPA of 3.75 overall, which I am told is very good, but I don’t think it was particularly impressive given the ease of some of my midterms and finals. Psychology is not considered a difficult major, but truth be told, it can be — but only if professors stop dumbing down exams. Overall, though, great program!” – Student at University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
1 Shields Ave
Davis, CA 95616, United States
(530) 752-1011
https://www.ucdavis.edu/
Student Review: “The psychology program at the University of California, Davis, was a great experience for me. With an outstanding faculty at the forefronts of research in their respective fields in psychology, I was able to obtain research experience that further solidified in my understanding of contemporary psychology. Getting an internship at UC Davis was not difficult as it often integrated as coursework notation. My lab experiences as an undergraduate research assistant gave me the opportunity to work with leaders in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. This connection has provided me with numerous connections with potential employers associated with fields in marketing and research. In addition to the research opportunities, I liked that the UC Davis faculty and teaching assistants were very open to helping their students during both open office hours and appointments. Students in the psychology club form a very large support network in helping their colleagues in academic work. Seminars are also offered during the school year, with topics such as Psychology in Hollywood, which offer interesting applications in psychology on to various fields of work. One thing that UC Davis could have improved on their psychology program is with the use of more online or hybrid coursework.” – Student at University of California, Davis
Student Review: “The University of California, Davis psychology program was an exceptional experience. All of the classes were challenging but I feel that I was pushed to my full potential and succeeded. I learned a great deal in many different topics such as development, the psychology of religion, social psychology, criminal psychology, and much more. The faculty is extremely competent and well-educated. All of the psychology professors hold PhDs and Master’s degrees in various subjects. The professors were always kind, understanding, and readily available for questions and test review. Getting my degree in psychology at this school made me extremely proud and confident. That I could handle some of the hardest work I have ever done in my life, taught to me by some of the greatest minds, was a huge accomplishment.” – Student at University of California, Davis
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 825-4321
https://www.ucla.edu/
Student Review: “The psychology program at UCLA was extremely enjoyable for me. I started out as a pre-med student, but quickly changed my mind after taking organic chemistry and found my home in the psychology department. The curriculum taught me a great deal about the subject and prepared me to continue my studies in graduate school. My professors were all passionate about the subject and allowed me to thrive because of their expertise. The only issue I had with the psychology program was the large class sizes in the lower division classes, which prevented me from feeling connected to my classmates. However, the professors were always very available during office hours.” – Student at University of California, Los Angeles
University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton St
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 422-5555
https://www.usfca.edu/
Student Review: “I really enjoyed my study of psychology at the University of San Francisco. The professors made my courses diverse and challenging. The faculty came from all walks of life and incorporated their diverse backgrounds into the curriculum. I always felt I was in the hands of a professional. The program helped me to explore all facets of psychology from forming experiments/analyzing the results to understanding brain biology, to studying different forms of mental illness. My one complaint is that I do not feel the program gave me a good understanding of how to streamline my interests into actual jobs while I was studying there.” – Student at the University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 740-2311
https://www.usc.edu/
Student Review: “The USC psychology program and department was an unforgettable experience for me. The program itself and the people I worked with taught me a lot of lessons over the span of time I spent there. The professors were very professional, kind, and easy to approach when I needed help. Every week they would have different guest speakers that allowed the students to be absorbed in the studies and weekly discussions about different issues. I found that incredibly helpful to my studies. At the end of the program, if there was one thing I could improve, it would be the office hours and being able to keep in contact with the professors at any time whenever the students have concerns or problems about the program.” – Student at University of Southern California
*Table Notes:
-N.Av. indicates data is not available.
-Metrics are institution-wide unless otherwise noted.
-Graduation rate is completion percentage within six years of start.
-Median (average) debt is cumulative federal loan debt for undergraduate completers in 2020-2021.
-Median earnings are from the 2020-2021 cohort 10 years post school entry.
-Net price is the average yearly price paid by full-time, first-year undergraduate students receiving financial aid. See NCES for more in-depth information.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual, Best Colleges Offering Degrees in Psychology (Nationwide): https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/rankings/top-ranked/#
3. Psychology Degree 411 Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/online/
4. The Princeton Review. The Best 388 Colleges, 2023 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2022.
5. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 – Psychology: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/subject-ranking/psychology
6. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
7. American Psychological Association Accredited Programs: https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs
8. Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs, Directory: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
9. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
10. National Association for School Psychologists, Approved Programs: https://apps.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/graduate-program-approval-and-accreditation/approved-accredited.aspx
11. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, 2023 Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/eppp_/doctoralreportoct2023.pdf