Psychology Schools in North Carolina
The following guide to psychology schools in North Carolina is designed to provide you with essential information on the many psychology programs offered in the state.
Table of Contents
- North Carolina Psychology School Facts
- Top-Ranked Psychology Programs
- Top 20 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
- Graduate Psychology Program Comparison
- Related Articles
- Student Reviews
North Carolina Psychology School Facts
- There are 52 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in North Carolina.1
- 1 school offers an associate degree in psychology.1
- 51 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 15 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- 7 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
- 1 school ranked in The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024.4
- 3 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 North Carolina
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
- Appalachian State University
- Duke University
- East Carolina University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- North Carolina State University
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington
- Wake Forest University
- Western Carolina University
- Winston-Salem State University
College Factual’s Best Psychology Schools 2024
- Duke University (#4)
- Elon University (#75)
- Wake Forest University (#80)
- North Carolina State University (#83)
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte (#114)
- Appalachian State University (#117)
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington (#165)2
The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024
- Duke University4
Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023
- Duke University (#23)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (#55)
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro (#151-175)5
Lowest-Priced Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology
The following North Carolina 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.
- Fayetteville State University ($6,355 / Grad rate: 44%)
- University of North Carolina Regional Campuses ($8,208-$18,709 / Grad rate: 45%-74%)
- North Carolina A&T State University ($9,189 / Grad rate: 57%)
- Western Carolina University ($13,022 / Grad rate: 61%)
- Appalachian State University ($13,084 / Grad rate: 75%)
- North Carolina Central University ($13,708 / Grad rate: 44%)
- Winston-Salem State University ($14,097 / Grad rate: 50%)
- Shaw University ($14,204 / Grad rate: 14%)
- East Carolina University ($14,410 / Grad rate: 65%)
- Livingstone College ($15,914 / Grad rate: 26%)1
Top 20 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in North Carolina
This table compares the top 20 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in North Carolina based on a graduation rate above 50% and an annual net price of $27,000 or below. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina A&T State University | 57% | 56% | $27,000 | $44,390 | $6,733 | $20,243 | $9,189 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 58% | 92% | $22,858 | $46,514 | $7,498 | $22,657 | $10,979 |
| Western Carolina University | 61% | 85% | $21,868 | $44,755 | $4,453 | $8,453 | $13,022 |
| Appalachian State University | 75% | 83% | $20,231 | $48,352 | $7,450 | $23,454 | $13,084 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 70% | 80% | $21,500 | $54,580 | $7,214 | $21,138 | $13,951 |
| Winston-Salem State University | 50% | 73% | $25,000 | $40,976 | $6,276 | $16,932 | $14,097 |
| East Carolina University | 65% | 92% | $22,750 | $50,819 | $7,325 | $23,602 | $14,410 |
| University of North Carolina at Asheville | 59% | 74% | $20,500 | $44,906 | $7,380 | $24,728 | $14,730 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 85% | 47% | $20,121 | $65,211 | $9,128 | $30,869 | $14,852 |
| Salem College | 62% | 87% | $26,649 | $44,315 | $31,016 | $31,016 | $18,354 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | 74% | 69% | $19,500 | $52,560 | $7,238 | $21,858 | $18,709 |
| Wingate University | 57% | 86% | $25,000 | $51,262 | $40,806 | $40,806 | $18,823 |
| Catawba College | 56% | 67% | $25,000 | $43,706 | $32,868 | $32,868 | $19,701 |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | 51% | 83% | $26,000 | $45,633 | $43,000 | $43,000 | $21,843 |
| Gardner-Webb University | 52% | 75% | $24,222 | $45,181 | $32,200 | $32,200 | $22,339 |
| Meredith College | 68% | 73% | $25,000 | $45,455 | $42,540 | $42,540 | $23,259 |
| Duke University | 97% | 6% | $13,000 | $97,418 | $60,220 | $60,220 | $23,694 |
| Campbell University | 56% | 89% | $22,500 | $51,142 | $39,230 | $39,230 | $24,280 |
| Wake Forest University | 90% | 21% | $21,500 | $81,964 | $62,128 | $62,128 | $26,197 |
| Davidson College | 92% | 17% | $18,688 | $77,379 | $57,340 | $57,340 | $26,704 |
*See Table Notes at bottom of page.
Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in North Carolina
This table compares all of North Carolina’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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State University | NASP | MA, PsyD | — | — | $282 |
| Duke University | APA | PhD | 100% | 10 | $3,479 |
| East Carolina University (Clinical PhD) | APA, NASP | MA, MA/SSP, PhD | 94% | 17 | $264 |
| East Carolina University (School PhD) | APA, NASP | MA, MA/SSP, PhD | 67% | 6 | $264 |
| Fayetteville State University | — | MA | — | — | $191 |
| Meredith College | — | MA | — | — | $725 |
| North Carolina A&T State University | — | MS | — | — | $593 |
| North Carolina Central University | — | MA | — | — | $263 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | APA, NASP | MS, PhD | 80% | 5 | $526 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Clinical PhD) | APA, NASP | PhD | 100% | 18 | $586 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (School PhD) | APA, NASP | PhD | 74% | 19 | $586 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | APA | MA, PhD | 100% | 11 | $248 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | APA | MA, PhD | — | — | $461 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | APA | MS, PhD | — | — | $277 |
| Wake Forest University | — | MA | — | — | $1,610 |
| Western Carolina University | APA, NASP | SSP | — | — | $432 |
Related Articles
- Degree Levels Overview: Associate to PhD
- North Carolina Licensure Guide
- Top Online Bachelor’s Programs Ranking
- Psychology Careers by Degree Level
North Carolina 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.
Appalachian State University
287 Rivers St
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-2000
https://www.appstate.edu/
Student Review: “The Appalachian State psychology program was interesting because I was able to learn a lot of different theories. However, the program was not cohesive, so I didn’t come away with a comprehensive understanding of my field. It was not a practical education; I would only recommend it to people who choose to repeat theories created by others as a profession. The psychology professors were somewhat robotic in delivering lectures and seemed uncomfortable and annoyed when having to interact with some students. If I had known I would be getting a college education that consisted of a bunch of theories and no facts, I would have skipped it altogether. I just feel like the program did not prepare me for a smooth transition into a graduate program, or even a career in psychology. My psychology education was so disconnected that all I have to show for it are countless notebooks filled with lecture notes: a lot memorized text for exams, but no cohesive body of knowledge.” – Student at Appalachian State University
Student Review: “I received my BS in Psychology from Appalachian State, and I consider the four years some of the best of my life. The town that the university is located in is small, charming, and safe. The last characteristic made my going off to college less scary for my parents. As far as the education I received, I enjoyed my classes and a majority of my professors. Almost all of my classes were smaller, containing around 20-30 students. The first year focused on taking general classes and the last three on my major. My fellow students and a majority of the administration were friendly. This includes the chancellor, whom I met on several occasions and couldn’t be more open to talking to students. If there was one thing that I don’t like besides the brutally cold winters, it would be that the school has now stopped their “freshman seminar” program. This was a big drawing point when I enrolled, but since I’ve graduated, they have discontinued this program. I met lifelong friends while going through this program, and it really helped ease the transition from high school to college. In this program, a group of around 20 of us had two classes together. The first one was called “Freshman Seminar” and the second was a history class the following semester. The seminar class allowed all the students to talk to each other and share their experiences with how college was affecting them. We all bonded over that semester and helped to make none of us feel alone during the transition.” – Student at Appalachian State University
East Carolina University
1001 E 5th St
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 328-6131
https://www.ecu.edu/
Student Review: “The program at East Carolina University was nothing special and seemed very generic. I was disappointed that as a major I could not pick an area of specialization such as Social Psychology or Cognitive Psychology. The classes that I took did not challenge me and most of the classes featured multiple-choice testing so I am uncertain about whether I retained anything I learned. I also did not learn very much since the majority of my classes repeated the same lectures on topics such as Stanley Milgram and the Stanford Prison Experiments. The good news is that I am working in mental health right now, though the university had nothing to do with my placement in the field. None of the curricula I learned has been relevant to my current job.” – Student at East Carolina University
University of North Carolina at Asheville
1 University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 251-6600
https://new.unca.edu/
Student Review: “I greatly enjoyed my undergraduate experience as a psychology major at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The psychology degree at UNCA is one of the biggest and fastest-growing on campus. The professors are very personable and are always available to give one on one help when needed. The program offers a variety of courses from introductory psychology to fundamentals of neuroscience and much much more. The department is focused on preparing you for your next step whether it be going directly into the field or continuing your studies in graduate school. Research and internship opportunities are offered in multiple areas of interest for those who are considering higher-level degrees.” – Student at the University of North Carolina at Asheville
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223
(704) 687-8622
https://www.charlotte.edu/
Student Review: “The psychology program at the University of North Carolina is a wonderful program which has offered ideal preparation for a career in research, public relations, or for graduate school. I have explored a multitude of topics within psychology and feel that I have received a very thorough survey of various fields in psychology. The information is not only helpful in preparing for various fields of work after college but is also helpful in working with people in every area of life. The course professors are some of the very best in their fields of research and are also excellent teachers and lecturers. Additionally, I have always been able to approach my professors for individual questions and advice. The only thing that I would improve about the program is that the class sizes are often fairly large (50+ students), particularly in introductory courses.” – Student at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
(919) 962-2211
https://www.unc.edu/
Student Review: “Studying psychology at UNCG was a very enjoyable experience. In general, the professors were very helpful. I visited office hours with many of my professors in order to understand the material more fully. They really wanted the students to do well. The psychology courses came pretty easily to me, although some students did struggle with the material. There were many opportunities for psychology research and the professors were very helpful in guiding students in helping them get to their next goal (graduate school, employment, etc..) The psychology program at UNCG is very good; it is actually in the top 100 graduate centers for psychology in the nation, and you could really tell. There were also opportunities to join honors societies and clubs for psychology such as Psi Chi. Overall my experience at UNCG was very positive. The only thing I would want to change is the library. It is very noisy.” – Student at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
601 S College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 962-3000
https://uncw.edu/
Student Review: “I am a junior at The University of North Carolina at Wilmington and have mostly enjoyed my experience there. The professors in my online classes are always willing to help and answer questions. They also absolutely love when I go to see them during office hours since they don’t often get to meet their online students. I try to take mostly online classes because the class sizes are very large, typically between 100-200 students. Also, since the professors have so many students in each class, they are often less available than the online professors. However, I do enjoy the benefits of having a knowledgeable person whom I can ask questions about a subject I don’t understand as it comes up. Most of the courses I have taken provide a lot of valuable outside resources that coincide with the topics in class, which makes the concepts much easier to understand.” – Student at University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Student Review: “The psychology department at UNC-Wilmington was a very rewarding experience for me personally. I felt that every professor in the department went out of their way to make sure that every student had a chance to be successful in the various fields of psychology. I felt the curriculum was challenging and prepared me well for a career after school. Faculty and staff were always available to offer guidance after classes were over. Class sizes were small enough so that each student got the individual attention that they needed. If there’s anything that could have been improved, it was the size of the department. A larger department could have supported more students. I regularly had trouble signing up for courses as they would close fast due to student seat limits being reached.” – Student at University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Student Review: “I have done very well since graduating from this program, so on that basis, it’s a top choice. The professors are well networked in the area and assisted me to get interviews arranged after I graduated. Overall, the program is very good. My major focus was on cognitive behavioral therapy, but you can study other therapeutic approaches as well. I felt very well prepared as a counselor after leaving this program. Relatively small class sizes compared to some friends who are in the same programs at other schools. The campus is also beautiful and near the beach, so that’s great too. There is also a big nursing program and a big social work program, so there is a lot of opportunity for interdepartmental study and projects.” – Student at University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wake Forest
1834 Wake Forest Rd
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
(336) 758-5000
https://www.wfu.edu/
Student Review: “My time at Wake Forest was so transformative. The psychology department prepared me for my graduate degree and eventual career by providing me skills in research, academic inquiry and psychological principals. The professors were the best part of my experience at Wake. They provided me with a supportive environment where I could explore my own research ideas while also having the opportunity to work in several research labs. The program was certainly academically rigorous, and there were times when I questioned whether I could finish this difficult degree, but I am glad that I stuck with it. Having this degree has made me the professional that I am today.” – Student at Wake Forest
*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