Best Online and Campus Psychology Schools in Massachusetts
The following guide to psychology schools in Massachusetts, which is home to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities, is designed to provide you with essential information that will assist you in finding the best undergraduate or graduate psychology program for your academic needs.
Table of Contents
- Massachusetts Psychology School Facts
- Top-Ranked Psychology Programs
- Top 25 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
- Graduate Psychology Program Comparison
- Related Articles
Massachusetts Psychology School Facts
- There are 59 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in Massachusetts.1
- 7 schools offer an associate degree in psychology.1
- 54 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 25 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- 13 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best General Psychology Schools 2024.2
- 1 school ranked in Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs.3
- 9 schools ranked in The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024.4
- 5 schools ranked in Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023.5
- 10 schools ranked in Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology.1
Nationally Ranked Top Psychology Programs in Massachusetts
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
- Boston College
- Bridgewater State University
- Fitchburg State University
- Framingham State University
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- Salem State University
- Simmons University
- Stonehill College
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- University of Massachusetts-Boston
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell
- Westfield State University
- Worcester State University
College Factual’s Best Psychology Schools 2024
- Harvard University (#1)
- Boston University (#19)
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst (#21)
- Boston College (#31)
- Williams College (#46)
- University of Massachusetts-Boston (#88)
- Clark University (#96)
- College of the Holy Cross (#115)
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell (#121)
- Simmons University (#129)
- Stonehill College (#147)
- Bridgewater State University (#151)
- William James College (#155)2
Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell (#12)3
The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024
- Assumption University
- Clark University
- College of the Holy Cross
- Harvard University
- Mount Holyoke College
- Simmons University
- Smith College
- Stonehill College
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst4
Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023
- Harvard University (#5)
- Boston College (#151-175)
- University of Massachusetts (#151-175)
- Northeastern University (#176-200)
- Tufts University (#201-250)5
Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology
The following Massachusetts 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.
- Worcester State University ($14,435 / Grad rate: 59%)
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($15,377 / Grad rate: 56%)
- Fitchburg State University ($15,535 / Grad rate: 56%)
- University of Massachusetts Regional Campuses ($17,123-$17,240 / Grad rate: 51%-71%)
- Bridgewater State University ($17,225 / Grad rate: 56%)
- Framingham State University ($17,715 / Grad rate: 55%)
- Westfield State University ($18,021 / Grad rate: 60%)
- American International College ($18,317 / Grad rate: 37%)
- Bay Path University ($18,502 / Grad rate: 47%)
- Salem State University ($19,277 / Grad rate: 55%)1
Top 25 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in Massachusetts
This table compares the top 25 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in Massachusetts based on a graduation rate above 55% and an annual net price below $31,000. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester State University | 59% | 88% | $19,500 | $59,518 | $24,031 | $30,111 | $14,435 |
| Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | 56% | 92% | $23,750 | $45,341 | $25,222 | $34,167 | $15,377 |
| Fitchburg State University | 56% | 86% | $24,239 | $58,741 | $24,437 | $30,517 | $15,535 |
| Bridgewater State University | 56% | 88% | $24,286 | $54,750 | $25,213 | $31,353 | $17,225 |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | 71% | 86% | $23,704 | $65,324 | $30,112 | $48,480 | $17,240 |
| Westfield State University | 60% | 82% | $22,457 | $52,899 | $24,394 | $30,474 | $18,021 |
| Harvard University | 98% | 3% | $14,000 | $95,114 | $76,763 | $76,763 | $19,491 |
| Williams College | 95% | 8% | $12,761 | $74,473 | $77,300 | $77,300 | $20,965 |
| Wellesley College | 90% | 14% | $10,000 | $75,784 | $81,000 | $81,000 | $21,362 |
| Amherst College | 92% | 7% | $13,740 | $81,855 | $80,850 | $80,850 | $21,367 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 83% | 64% | $22,763 | $65,645 | $31,075 | $52,295 | $22,291 |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms | 75% | 91% | $25,000 | $55,648 | $55,465 | $55,465 | $23,498 |
| Hampshire College | 60% | 69% | $26,893 | $43,491 | $68,884 | $68,884 | $24,087 |
| Simmons University | 74% | 76% | $24,840 | $61,222 | $60,718 | $60,718 | $24,423 |
| Gordon College | 69% | 92% | $26,250 | $54,542 | $39,190 | $39,190 | $24,483 |
| Nichols College | 58% | 85% | $27,000 | $57,385 | $52,910 | $52,910 | $27,192 |
| Boston University | 89% | 17% | $23,250 | $80,582 | $80,296 | $80,296 | $27,829 |
| Springfield College | 73% | 76% | $26,250 | $47,049 | $55,414 | $55,414 | $27,930 |
| Assumption University | 72% | 82% | $27,000 | $74,451 | $62,070 | $62,070 | $28,911 |
| Lasell University | 61% | 73% | $26,000 | $58,576 | $59,130 | $59,130 | $29,706 |
| Regis College | 67% | 89% | $25,500 | $56,022 | $63,230 | $63,230 | $30,014 |
| Western New England University | 67% | 88% | $25,500 | $66,181 | $45,500 | $45,500 | $30,214 |
| Tufts University | 94% | 10% | $16,250 | $74,430 | $82,000 | $82,000 | $30,479 |
| Boston College | 91% | 17% | $19,000 | $96,325 | $80,296 | $80,296 | $30,559 |
| Smith College | 89% | 23% | $17,550 | $58,881 | $79,108 | $79,108 | $30,790 |
*See Table Notes at bottom of page.
Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in Massachusetts
This table compares all of Massachusetts’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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American International College | — | MA, MS, EdD | — | — | $1,010 |
| Anna Maria College | — | MA, MS | — | — | $599 |
| Assumption University | MPCAC | MA | — | — | $817 |
| Bay Path University | — | MS | — | — | $910 |
| Boston College | APA | MA, PhD | 89% | 18 | $1,988 |
| Boston University (Clinical PhD) | APA | MA, PhD | 95% | 20 | $1,994 |
| Boston University (Counseling EdD) | APA | MA, PhD | N.Av. | N.Av. | $1,994 |
| Boston University (Counseling PhD) | APA | MA, PhD | N.Av. | N.Av. | $1,994 |
| Brandeis University | — | MA, PhD | — | — | $3,660 |
| Bridgewater State University | MPCAC | MA | — | — | $502 |
| Cambridge College | — | MEd | — | — | $639 |
| Clark University | APA | PhD | 80% | 10 | $940 |
| Fisher College | — | MA | — | — | $781 |
| Framingham State University | — | MA | — | — | $1,390 |
| Harvard University | APA | PhD | 100% | 8 | $2,251 |
| Lesley University | — | MA, PhD | — | — | $1,300 |
| Northeastern University (Counseling PhD) | APA, NASP | MS, PhD | 85% | 13 | $1,815 |
| Northeastern University (School PhD) | APA, NASP | MS, PhD | N.Av. | N.Av. | $1,815 |
| Salem State University | — | MS | — | — | $487 |
| Springfield College | APA | MS, PsyD | 44% | 16 | $1,178 |
| Suffolk University | APA | PhD | 91% | 32 | $1,759 |
| Tufts University | NASP | PhD | — | — | $1,610 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst (Clinical PhD) | APA, NASP | MS, PhD | 100% | 8 | $1,953 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst (School PhD) | APA, NASP | MS, PhD | 78% | 9 | $1,953 |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston (Clinical PhD) | APA, NASP | PhD | 100% | 20 | $787 |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston (Counseling PhD) | APA, NASP | PhD | 89% | 9 | $787 |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston (School PhD) | APA, NASP | PhD | 50% | 6 | $787 |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | — | MA | — | — | $1,366 |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | — | PhD | — | — | $892 |
| William James College (Clinical PsyD) | APA, NASP | MA, PsyD | 59% | 152 | $1,245 |
| William James College (School PsyD) | APA, NASP | MA, PsyD | 43% | 7 | $1,245 |
| Worcester State University | NASP | EdS | — | — | $339 |
Related Articles
- Degree Levels Overview: Associate to PhD
- Massachusetts Licensure Guide
- Top Online Bachelor’s Programs Ranking
- Psychology Careers by Degree Level
*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_/2023_dr_rpt_012024.pdf