Best Online and Campus Psychology Schools in Virginia
The following guide to psychology schools in Virginia provides you with essential information on the undergraduate and graduate psychology programs offered in the state.
Table of Contents
- Virginia Psychology School Facts
- Top-Ranked Psychology Programs
- Top 25 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
- Graduate Psychology Program Comparison
- Related Articles
Virginia Psychology School Facts
- There are 41 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in Virginia.1
- 4 schools offer an associate degree in psychology.1
- 38 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 18 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- 7 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best General Psychology Schools 2024.2
- 2 schools ranked in Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs.3
- 6 schools ranked in The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024.4
- 1 school 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 Virginia
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
- George Mason University
- James Madison University
- Old Dominion University
- University of Virginia-Main Campus
- Virginia Tech
College Factual’s Best Psychology Schools 2024
- University of Virginia-Main Campus (#14)
- George Mason University (#36)
- Virginia Tech (#41)
- Virginia Commonwealth University (#49)
- James Madison University (#59)
- William & Mary (#71)
- Old Dominion University (#168)2
Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs
- Regent University (#6)
- Old Dominion University (#15)3
The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024
- Christopher Newport University
- George Mason University
- Hampton University
- James Madison University
- Randolph College
- Roanoke College4
Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023
- University of Virginia-Main campus (#35)5
Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology
The following Virginia schools with bachelor’s degrees in psychology have the lowest average net prices. We have included each school’s graduation rate, a key quality metric.
- Norfolk State University ($14,652 / Grad rate: 40%)
- Virginia State University ($15,773 / Grad rate: 38%)
- Old Dominion University ($16,098 / Grad rate: 48%)
- Radford University ($17,105 / Grad rate: 54%)
- Regent University ($17,341 / Grad rate: 55%)
- Virginia Military Institute ($18,129 / Grad rate: 77%)
- James Madison University ($18,274 / Grad rate: 81%)
- George Mason University ($18,479 / Grad rate: 71%)
- Mary Baldwin University ($18,746 / Grad rate: 45%)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($19,301 / Grad rate: 86%)1
Top 25 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in Virginia
This table compares the top 25 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in Virginia based on a graduation rate of 55% or above and an annual net price below $30,000 or below. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regent University | 55% | 32% | $24,534 | $44,160 | $26,854 | $26,854 | $17,341 |
| Virginia Military Institute | 77% | 71% | $22,996 | $76,984 | $30,588 | $60,396 | $18,129 |
| James Madison University | 81% | 78% | $20,093 | $65,172 | $25,132 | $42,192 | $18,274 |
| George Mason University | 71% | 90% | $19,500 | $69,958 | $26,521 | $52,103 | $18,479 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 86% | 57% | $21,500 | $77,621 | $27,266 | $47,518 | $19,301 |
| Bridgewater College | 58% | 90% | $26,000 | $50,510 | $53,630 | $53,630 | $19,332 |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | 95% | 19% | $17,500 | $80,584 | $33,232 | $68,804 | $19,469 |
| Emory & Henry College | 58% | 97% | $26,332 | $46,471 | $48,955 | $48,955 | $20,834 |
| Hollins University | 66% | 72% | $27,000 | $39,313 | $56,170 | $56,170 | $21,207 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 65% | 91% | $21,500 | $54,300 | $28,107 | $50,065 | $21,294 |
| Longwood University | 67% | 88% | $25,000 | $49,069 | $29,158 | $42,098 | $21,772 |
| University of Mary Washington | 69% | 86% | $20,500 | $60,281 | $26,324 | $43,244 | $21,863 |
| University of Lynchburg | 60% | 96% | $27,000 | $50,248 | $47,560 | $47,560 | $23,256 |
| Christopher Newport University | 76% | 85% | $25,000 | $57,364 | $27,415 | $41,053 | $23,287 |
| Eastern Mennonite University | 63% | 99% | $24,813 | $47,702 | $53,230 | $53,230 | $23,783 |
| Marymount University | 61% | 81% | $25,000 | $62,704 | $53,297 | $53,297 | $24,664 |
| Washington and Lee University | 95% | 17% | $19,500 | $84,232 | $78,670 | $78,670 | $24,733 |
| William & Mary | 91% | 33% | $18,500 | $69,897 | $37,798 | $61,024 | $25,688 |
| Shenandoah University | 63% | 80% | $25,000 | $55,196 | $46,400 | $46,400 | $26,143 |
| Randolph-Macon College | 74% | 85% | $27,000 | $58,576 | $59,970 | $59,970 | $28,389 |
| Sweet Briar College | 61% | 76% | $27,000 | $50,618 | $37,840 | $37,840 | $28,408 |
| Roanoke College | 71% | 80% | $27,000 | $55,411 | $50,716 | $50,716 | $29,169 |
| University of Richmond | 88% | 24% | $21,000 | $80,715 | $75,200 | $75,200 | $29,248 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | 75% | 40% | $26,000 | $70,692 | $65,374 | $65,374 | $29,899 |
| Liberty University | 66% | 99% | $24,500 | $45,115 | $34,861 | $34,861 | $29,913 |
*See Table Notes at bottom of page.
Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in Virginia
This table compares all of Virginia’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 percentage of tenured faculty, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater College | — | MS | — | — | $640 |
| Divine Mercy University | APA | MS, PsyD | 82% | 22 | $850 |
| Ferrum College | — | MS | — | — | $475 |
| George Mason University | APA, NASP | MA, MPS | 88% | 16 | $572 |
| James Madison University | APA, NASP | MA, M.Ed. EdS, PhD, PsyD | 88% | 17 | $545 |
| Liberty University | — | MA, MS, PsyD | — | — | $545 |
| Mary Baldwin University | — | MS | — | — | $495 |
| Marymount University | — | MA | — | — | $500 |
| Norfolk State University | — | MS, PhD | — | — | $505 |
| Old Dominion University | — | MS, PhD | — | — | $599 |
| Radford University | APA, NASP | MA, MS, EdS, PsyD | 83% | 6 | $525 |
| Regent University | APA | MS, PhD | 70% | 37 | $599 |
| Shenandoah University | — | MS | — | — | $579 |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus (Clinical PhD) | APA, NASP | MA, PhD | 100% | 8 | $860 |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus (Clinical and School PhD) | APA, NASP | MA, PhD | 82% | 17 | $860 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (Clinical PhD) | APA | PhD | 95% | 21 | N.Av. |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (Counseling PhD) | APA | PhD | 91% | 11 | N.Av. |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | APA | PhD | 100% | 16 | $846 |
| Virginia State University | — | MS, PhD | — | — | $583 |
| William & Mary | NASP | MS | — | — | $606 |
Related Articles
- Degree Levels Overview: Associate to PhD
- Virginia Licensure Guide
- Top Online Bachelor’s Programs Ranking
- Psychology Careers by Degree Level
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