Best Online and Campus Psychology Schools in Washington DC
This page provides essential insights and rankings for top Washington DC undergraduate and graduate psychology programs so that you can make an informed decision on your psychology education.
Table of Contents
- Washington DC Psychology School Facts
- Top-Ranked Psychology Programs
- Top 5 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
- Graduate Psychology Program Comparison
- Related Articles
Washington DC Psychology School Facts
- There are 10 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in Washington DC.1
- No schools offer an associate degree in psychology.1
- 9 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 7 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- 3 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
- No 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
- 9 schools ranked in Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology.1
Nationally Ranked Top Psychology Programs in Washington DC
Our curated list of third-party and proprietary rankings can be useful in measuring the overall value and reputation of a program. 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
- American University
- Gallaudet University
- George Washington University
- Georgetown University
- Howard University
- The Catholic University of America
- Trinity Washington University
College Factual’s Best Psychology Schools 2024
- Georgetown University (#7)
- American University (#123)
- The Catholic University of America (#180)2
Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023
- George Washington University (#201-250)5
Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology
The following Washington DC 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.
- NewU University (Grad rate: N.Av. / $9,390)
- Trinity Washington University (Grad rate: 44% / $12,704)
- University of the District of Columbia (Grad rate: 26% / $14,287)
- Gallaudet University (Grad rate: 47% / $15,025)
- Howard University (Grad rate: 69% / $30,028)
- The Catholic University of America (Grad rate: 81% / $35,008)
- Georgetown University (Grad rate: 94% / $37,967)
- American University (Grad rate: 78% / $40,189)
- George Washington University (Grad rate: 85% / $45,466)1
Top 5 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in Washington DC
This table compares the top 5 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in Washington DC based on a 44% or higher graduation rate and an annual net price below $38,000. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Washington University | 44% | 99% | $28,250 | $46,296 | $37,360 | $37,360 | $12,704 |
| Gallaudet University | 47% | 61% | $18,000 | $37,101 | $32,512 | $32,512 | $15,025 |
| Howard University | 69% | 35% | $24,500 | $59,441 | $46,930 | $46,930 | $30,028 |
| The Catholic University of America | 81% | 84% | $26,000 | $76,452 | $70,856 | $70,856 | $35,008 |
| Georgetown University | 94% | 13% | $15,500 | $101,797 | $80,876 | $80,876 | $37,967 |
*See Table Notes at bottom of page.
Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in Washington DC
This table compares all of Washington DC’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 University | APA | MA, PhD | 88% | 16 | $2,000 |
| Gallaudet University | APA, NASP | PhD, PsyD | 57% | 14 | $1,119 |
| George Washington University (Clinical PhD) | APA | MS, PhD, PsyD | 79% | 14 | $2,020 |
| George Washington University (Clinical PsyD) | APA | MS, PhD, PsyD | 76% | 46 | $2,020 |
| Georgetown University | — | PhD | — | — | $2,550 |
| Howard University (Clinical PhD) | APA, NASP | PhD | 71% | 14 | $2,027 |
| Howard University (Counseling PhD) | APA, NASP | PhD | 46% | 13 | $2,027 |
| The Catholic University of America | APA | MA, PhD, SCAN | 95% | 19 | $2,075 |
| The Chicago School at Washington DC | APA | MA, MS, PhD, PsyD | 45% | 127 | $1,368 |
Related Articles
- Degree Levels Overview: Associate to PhD
- Washington DC Licensure Guide
- Top Online Bachelor’s Programs Ranking
- Psychology Careers by Degree Level
*Table Notes:
-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