These 48 small, selective colleges pair undergraduate psychology programs with the close faculty access and lower price tag that a big university often can’t match. School and cost figures shift from year to year, so treat this guide as a starting point and confirm current cost, admissions, and enrollment on each school’s own site before you apply.
Choosing a college to earn an affordable psychology degree can feel overwhelming. You’re deciding where to spend four years, and that decision shapes the path toward graduate school or an entry-level career. Location, tuition, research opportunities, and campus size all factor into the search for an accredited psychology program, and a smaller school isn’t automatically the lower-profile choice. Smaller class sizes mean more one-on-one time with professors, and a tighter campus community often opens up research and internship opportunities that get crowded out at larger schools.
Psychology remains one of the more resilient fields in which to build a career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11.4% employment growth for clinical and counseling psychologists between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average for all occupations, with roughly 4,100 openings nationally each year. A psychology degree can lead to careers in human resources, occupational counseling, mental health, aging services, social work, criminal justice, public relations, or education, whether or not you continue to a graduate degree.
Beyond school size, affordability, and accreditation, degree specialization also plays a role in finding the right fit. The cost, enrollment, and admissions figures below are shown as originally reported for each school; confirm current numbers on the school’s own site or through the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard before applying, since these change from year to year.
BA vs. BS in Psychology: Does It Matter at a Small College?
Most of the schools on this list offer a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, though a handful, including Washington and Lee University, let you choose between a BA and a BS. The BA track usually relies on broader liberal arts requirements and leaves more room for electives outside the major. The BS track typically adds more lab science, statistics, and research methods coursework. Neither label makes the degree “better,” and neither is a requirement for graduate school.
What graduate programs and employers actually look at is your coursework, GPA, and research or field experience, not whether the diploma says BA or BS. If you already know you want a research-heavy track toward a PhD, a BS with more methods coursework can be a slightly smoother on-ramp. If you’re not sure yet, the BA’s flexibility keeps more doors open.
48 Affordable Small Colleges for a Psychology Degree at a Glance
The table below lists all 48 schools in the order they’re ranked in this guide. The cost figures were carried over from the original version of this guide and haven’t been re-verified against each school’s current numbers, so that they may reflect sticker price, net price, or a mix of the two, depending on the school. Confirm the current figure on each school’s own financial aid page or through the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard before applying. Institutional accreditation status for each school is not yet included in this table and is being verified as part of a separate content update.
| School | Degree | Location | Reported Cost (unverified) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48. Colby College | BA, Psychology | Waterville, ME | $72,000/yr |
| 47. Bates College | BA, Psychology | Lewiston, ME | $71,338/yr |
| 46. Vassar College | BA, Psychology | Poughkeepsie, NY | $58,770/yr |
| 45. Amherst College | BA, Psychology | Amherst, MA | $58,640/yr |
| 44. Franklin & Marshall College | BA, Psychology | Lancaster, PA | $58,615/yr |
| 43. Reed College | BA, Psychology | Portland, OR | $58,440/yr |
| 42. Barnard College | BA, Psychology | New York, NY | $58,068/yr |
| 41. Colgate University | BA, Psychological & Brain Sciences | Hamilton, NY | $58,045/yr |
| 40. Williams College | BA, Psychology | Williamstown, MA | $56,970/yr |
| 39. Pomona College | BA, Psychological Science | Claremont, CA | $56,678/yr |
| 38. Hamilton College | BA, Psychology | Clinton, NY | $56,530/yr |
| 37. Bowdoin College | BA, Psychology | Brunswick, ME | $56,350/yr |
| 36. Middlebury College | BA, Psychology | Middlebury, VT | $56,216/yr |
| 35. Haverford College | BA, Psychology | Haverford, PA | $56,200/yr |
| 34. Wellesley College | BA, Psychology | Wellesley, MA | $56,052/yr |
| 33. Washington and Lee University | BA/BS, Cognitive & Behavioral Science | Lexington, VA | $54,830/yr |
| 32. Swarthmore College | BA, Psychology | Swarthmore, PA | $54,256/yr |
| 31. Davidson College | BA, Psychology | Davidson, NC | $52,991/yr |
| 30. Hope International University | BA, Psychology | Fullerton, CA | $34,450/yr |
| 29. Houston Christian University | BA, Psychology | Houston, TX | $33,450/yr |
| 28. Barton College | BS, Psychology | Wilson, NC | $32,590/yr |
| 27. Mount Mary University | BA, Psychology | Milwaukee, WI | $32,120/yr |
| 26. Catawba College | BA, Psychology | Salisbury, NC | $31,436/yr |
| 25. Crown College | BA/BS, Psychology/Counseling | St. Bonifacius, MN | $27,989/yr campus, $15,124/yr online |
| 24. Wilson College | BA, Psychology | Chambersburg, PA | $25,300/yr |
| 23. Warner University | BA, Psychology | Lake Wales, FL | $25,030/yr |
| 22. Columbia International University | BS, Psychology | Columbia, SC | $24,100/yr |
| 21. Toccoa Falls College | Counseling Psychology | Toccoa Falls, GA | $21,120/yr campus, $11,238/yr online |
| 20. Calumet College of Saint Joseph | BS, Psychology | Whiting, IN | $20,370/yr |
| 19. Emmaus Bible College | BS, Counseling Psychology | Dubuque, IA | $19,250/yr |
| 18. Dallas Christian College | BS, Psychology and the Bible | Dallas, TX | $17,495/yr |
| 17. Virginia Union University | BA, Psychology | Richmond, VA | $17,486/yr |
| 16. Florida Memorial University | BA/BS, Psychology | Miami Gardens, FL | $16,236/yr |
| 15. Paine College | BA, Psychology | Augusta, GA | $16,096/yr |
| 14. Mid-Atlantic Christian University | BA/BS, Counseling & Psychology | Elizabeth City, NC | $14,880/yr |
| 13. Wilberforce University | BA/BS, Psychology | Wilberforce, OH | $13,250/yr |
| 12. Touro University Worldwide | Online BA, Psychology | Los Alamitos, CA | $12,000/yr |
| 11. The Lincoln University | BA/BS, Psychology | Lincoln University, PA | $11,718/yr |
| 10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | BS, Psychology | Socorro, NM | $8,158/yr |
| 9. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | BS, Psychology | Pine Bluff, AR | $8,064/yr |
| 8. Concord University | BS, Psychology | Athens, WV | $8,050/yr |
| 7. Brigham Young University-Hawaii | BS, Psychology | Laie, HI | $7,627/yr |
| 6. Southern University at New Orleans | BA, Psychology | New Orleans, LA | $7,230/yr |
| 5. Fort Valley State University | BA, Psychology | Fort Valley, GA | $6,848/yr campus, $6,320/yr online |
| 4. Central State University | Bachelor’s, Psychology | Wilberforce, OH | $6,726/yr |
| 3. University of South Florida-Sarasota-Manatee | BA, Psychology | Sarasota, FL | $5,580/yr |
| 2. Berea College | BA, Psychology | Berea, KY | $600/yr |
| 1. College of the Ozarks | BA/BS, Psychology | Point Lookout, MO | $14,600/yr |
48. Colby College
Psychology Major
Cutting-edge research sets Colby’s affordable psychology degree program apart from the rest. The program emphasizes inquiry, discussion, and analysis of trending psychology theories and practices. Students can pursue a generalist track or a neuroscience concentration that combines psychology and biology. Both cover human development, cognition, health, emotions, motivation, language, neurological processes, personality, perception, social behaviors, and psychopathology. The generalist track enhances competencies in communication, relationships, and motivation that are valuable to any professional endeavor. The neuroscience track focuses on research and analysis applicable to many science careers.
Reported cost: $72,000/yr
Learn more about Colby College
47. Bates College
Psychology Major
A psychology degree from Bates develops academic competencies through collaborative interactions between students, professors, and community placement providers. The curriculum’s scope includes broad instruction on behavior and mental processes, combined with real-world and laboratory activities that address students’ interests. Core content encompasses cognition and emotion, biology and health, development and personality, and sociocultural influences on behavior. Electives of particular note include those that examine the relationship between emotions and motivation, psychology and law, and the effects of music on the mind.
Reported cost: $71,338/yr
Learn more about Bates College
46. Vassar College
Psychology Major
Participating in significant research underscores the psychology major at Vassar. Seminars and accompanying research labs investigate core areas of study about clinical psychology, physiology, sociology, cognition, learning, behavior, personality, and emotions. Many of Vassar’s higher-level electives, designed to personalize the degree, explore topics typically found at the graduate level. These include intriguing topics such as behavioral genetics, states of consciousness, evolutionary psychology, sport psychology, and psychological perspectives on the Holocaust. Participation in fieldwork and independent study rounds out the curriculum requirements.
Reported cost: $58,770/yr
Learn more about Vassar College
45. Amherst College
Major in Psychology
An affordable psychology degree from Amherst translates into marketable skills that can be used in numerous occupations or qualify graduates for master’s studies. The comprehensive curriculum expands a student’s knowledge base while delving into topics that offer deeper insights into psychological theories and practices. Research and interactive experiences provide opportunities to explore and develop competencies. Innovative studies include topics such as the psychology of aging, personality development, motivation, music cognition, autobiographical memories, hormones and behavior, non-verbal communication, food and eating disorders, sports psychology, and the psychology of good and evil.
Reported cost: $58,640/yr
44. Franklin & Marshall College
Psychology Major
Franklin and Marshall’s psychology curriculum integrates advanced research methods with traditional approaches to explore psychological theories and issues. Students investigate 21st-century questions about artificial intelligence, perceptual problems, and links between primate and human behavior. Combined with collaborative research and field experiences, these experiences equip graduates with a broad knowledge base to apply in any career choice. Course offerings include trending areas of study in neuroscience, animal behavior, sensation and perception, the evolution of mind and intelligence, psychopathology, and cross-cultural psychology.
Reported cost: $58,615/yr
Learn more about Franklin and Marshall College
43. Reed College
Psychology Major
For an affordable psychology degree experience, Reed College might be a good fit. Based on strong intellectual foundations, the major explores behavior, relationships,, and how the mind works to unravel principles ounravelf psychological development. Students use research, thesis, and internship components to investigate theories in practical contexts and present findings to professional groups. The degree can be individualized through elective studies, or students can pursue an interdisciplinary major in biology-psychology. Elective choices include courses such as the social self, attention and consciousness, psycholinguistics, memory, sensation and perception, forensics, and primate cognition.
Reported cost: $58,440/yr
42. Barnard College
Psychology Major
Whether through interactive seminars or experiential learning, Barnard students can explore diverse psychological perspectives and therapeutic techniques. Courses in perception, cognition, and learning have accompanying labs for practical application of theory. Higher-level classes branch out into trending studies about hormones and reproductive behavior, human learning and memory, impacts of substance abuse, leadership dynamics, and psychoanalysis. Fieldwork and research activities include placements at the Barnard Toddler Center and approved individual study settings. Graduates find competitive employment in psychology-related occupations or continue with master’s studies.
Reported cost: $58,068/yr
41. Colgate University
Psychology Science Major
Majoring in psychology at Colgate is a smart move for those interested in cutting-edge theory and hands-on experiences that elevate traditional and contemporary issues in the field. Beyond rigorous fundamental studies in cognition and behavior, students can elect to take courses of interest that personalize their degree. For example, “Bonding without Boundaries” examines how children process information and looks at creative instructional methods, such as drama and music, that can facilitate learning. Research and fieldwork experiences in state-of-the-art facilities and competitive placements complete the degree requirements.
Reported cost: $58,045/yr
Learn more about Colgate University
40. Williams College
Psychology Major
An affordable psychology degree from Williams can help pave the way for careers across numerous professions. Williams’ psychology curriculum uses an interdisciplinary approach supported by strong research and experiential learning activities. Students can concentrate their degree or double-major in neuroscience, teaching, leadership, legal studies, or cognitive sciences. Requirements include completion of core classes, approved electives, lab courses, an independent study, and a capstone seminar. Graduates report employment in medicine, law, business, education, epidemiological consulting, coaching, and community service, while others have chosen to continue studies to become licensed psychologists.
Reported cost: $56,970/yr
Learn more about Williams College
39. Pomona College
Psychological Science Major
Pomona’s psychology program pairs a laid-back campus feel with rigorous intellectual pursuits and hands-on field experiences. This psychology degree’s approach examines behavior from a sociocultural context and provides opportunities to research the effects of diversity, power, and economics on intellectual and behavioral development. Studies specific to this purpose include psychological approaches to the study of people, Chicano/Latino cultural psychology, the psychology of the African American experience, Asian American psychology, multicultural education, contemporary prejudice, and global migration.
Reported cost: $56,678/yr
Learn more about Pomona College
38. Hamilton College
Psychology Major
The flexibility of a Hamilton psychology degree enables graduates to pursue diverse careers in finance, mental health, school psychology, marketing research, and the legal profession. Academics have a strong foundation in neuroscience, supported by a wealth of research and field experience. Studies explore topics such as environmental psychology, autobiographical memory, neural plasticity, the effects of media and technology on children, and the psychology of reading and language. Electives like social psychology, adult psychopathology, or child development personalize the degree.
Reported cost: $56,530/yr
Learn more about Hamilton College
37. Bowdoin College
Psychology Major
Bowdoin’s affordable psychology degree is grounded in current behavioral approaches and research methods, with courses that explore topics such as phobias, Alzheimer’s, and treatments for bacterial threats. Students can also opt for the neuroscience program, an interdisciplinary effort that examines behavioral and biological relationships in humans and animals. An independent study experience, an extensive written literature review, an interactive field project, or a laboratory investigation completes the degree requirements.
Reported cost: $56,350/yr
36. Middlebury College
Major in Psychology
Graduates with Middlebury’s affordable psychology degree gain the academic competencies and practical skills to work across diverse career settings. The curriculum provides understanding of emotions, motivation, and behavior from varied clinical and theoretical perspectives, including sociocultural, cognitive, bio-neurological, developmental, and environmental viewpoints. Many students engage in independent study or thesis research and publish their findings in scientific journals or present them at professional conferences. Psychology majors can personalize their degree by earning dual degrees or minors in neuroscience, environmental studies, education, or sociology.
Reported cost: $56,216/yr
Learn more about Middlebury College
35. Haverford College
Psychology Major
Understanding human behavior and its influences plays a significant role in Haverford’s psychology program. Students study the discipline from historical and contemporary perspectives, using research and hands-on experience to put theories into practice. Coursework emphasizes the study of behavioral, personality, social, biological, cognitive, and cultural psychology. Graduates from Haverford have in recent years gone on to work in clinical psychiatry, psychology, education, social work, public health, medicine, neuroscience, management, and law.
Reported cost: $56,200/yr
34. Wellesley College
Psychology Major
Wellesley’s affordable psychology degree provides a foundation for careers in which the tools to analyze and understand behavior directly impact job performance. The curriculum covers topics in the psychology of education, clinical practice, neuropsychology, human development and behavior, sociocultural psychology, cognition, and personality disorders. Research and field experiences provide opportunities to test theories in real-world settings. In addition to entering the workforce upon program completion, many graduates choose to pursue master’s degrees or to conduct research.
Reported cost: $56,052/yr
Learn more about Wellesley College
33. Washington and Lee University
BA/BS with Cognitive and Behavioral Science Major
W&L offers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science program in psychology. The BA focuses on broader theoretical perspectives and practices, while the BS takes an in-depth research approach. Courses for the BA include the psychology of humor, evolutionary psychology, the pursuit of happiness, sports psychology, and gender role development. Classes for the BS cover sensation and perception, attention, developmental psychopathology, and neural mechanisms of motivated behavior.
Reported cost: $54,830/yr
Learn more about Washington and Lee University
32. Swarthmore College
Psychology Major
Swarthmore’s degree can be specialized in psychology and education, or neuroscience. Students can practice theory through part-time research jobs, independent projects guided by faculty, or off-campus placements at home and abroad. Coursework covers clinical psychology practices, social psychology, behavioral neuroscience, gender and psychopathology, neuropharmacology, judgment and decision-making, and cognitive science. Graduates with this affordable degree have found entry-level positions in psychiatry, clinical psychology, social work, and counseling.
Reported cost: $54,256/yr
Learn more about Swarthmore College
31. Davidson College
Psychology Major
A psychology degree from Davidson builds research skills for graduate study or for a career grounded in positive relationships, effective communication, and cooperative problem-solving. The curriculum incorporates studies in psychology and ethics with lab experiences, internships, and field research. Topics of study include psychopathology across the lifespan, abnormal psych, child and adolescent development, personality, industrial and organizational psychology, drugs and behavior, social psychology, and educational psychology.
Reported cost: $52,991/yr
Learn more about Davidson College
30. Hope International University
Psychology (BA)
The BA in Psychology at Hope allows graduates to pursue careers in school psychology, counseling, social work, forensic psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, marriage and family therapy, or neuropsychology. The 120-credit program examines traditional, faith-based, and contemporary perspectives in psychology. Content explores counseling and personality, psychological testing, psychology practices across the lifespan, and psychology and religion. Participants have opportunities for hands-on experience through volunteering at mental health facilities and non-profit youth and family groups.
Reported cost: $34,450/yr
Learn about Hope International University
29. Houston Christian University
Psychology Program (BA)
HCU’s affordable psychology degree offers diverse learning experiences through classroom studies, lab activities, field placements, and supervised internships. The curriculum develops critical thinking, analytical skills, and interpersonal communication that benefit any professional career and prepares graduates for master’s-level work. Electives that can shape the degree include health psychology, human sexuality, personality, child psychopathology, dying and bereavement, counseling theories, and cultural psychology.
Reported cost: $33,450/yr
Learn more about Houston Christian University
28. Barton College
Bachelor of Science (B.S)
Barton’s psychology program combines rigorous coursework with personalized educational experiences, preparing students for a range of occupations or graduate school. Competencies address human development, communication, personality, assessment, multiculturalism, cognition, learning, and motivation. Students also complete 150 hours of supervised fieldwork in community placements such as the Autism Society, Human Centric, the Wesley Shelter, Fike High School, Wilson Recreation Center, Mediation Center of Eastern Care, the Neurology Clinic, the Wilson Police Department Forensic Unit, or the Wilson Sleep Clinic.
Reported cost: $32,590/yr
Learn more about Barton College
27. Mount Mary University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Mount Mary University’s affordable psychology degree focuses on the cognitive, biological, and social factors that influence behavior and thought. Graduates gain marketable skills for occupations where job performance relies on interpersonal communication. Degree foundations also prepare students for future graduate studies with coursework in learning, sociology, emotion, personality, animal behavior, sensation and perception, physiology, and mental health. Coursework schedules are flexible with day or evening classes.
Reported cost: $32,120/yr
26. Catawba College
BA, Psychology
This affordable psychology degree provides a generalist approach for students intending to use their skills in entry-level jobs or continue their studies to become licensed psychologists. The major consists of 30 core and elective credits that students can shape into a personalized program of study. Many decide to double-major in sociology, law, recreation, or education to enhance their marketability. Core classes cover behavioral science, social psychology, learning and cognition, personality, child and adolescent development, abnormal psych, and experimental psychology. Practicum experiences in community settings accompany coursework.
Reported cost: $31,436/yr
Learn more about Catawba College
25. Crown College
BA in Psychology/BS in Psychology/Counseling
Crown offers a best-value BA through on-campus classes or a BS via an online psychology degree format. The BA develops knowledge and counseling skills for careers in numerous professions, including the ministry. The BS degree approaches psychology from a faith-based perspective designed for Christian counseling contexts. Each program spans 125 credits and covers human development and behavior, assessment and listening techniques, and counseling theory and skill-building. Graduates have the educational foundation to continue their studies toward a master’s in psychology.
Reported cost: $27,989/yr campus, $15,124/yr online
Learn more about Crown College
24. Wilson College
Psychology Major
Wilson offers a comprehensive psychology major that encompasses both traditional and contemporary perspectives. Skill-based courses in statistics and research methods help develop mastery of psychological inquiry and behavioral analysis, while internships and service learning projects enhance professional competencies. This major prepares graduates to pursue further education in the field or to enter careers in clinical psychology, forensic psychology, health sciences, teaching, counseling, advertising, conflict resolution, or social work.
Reported cost: $25,300/yr
Learn more about Wilson College
23. Warner University
Major in Psychology
Warner University’s affordable psychology degree can support competitive entry-level opportunities in marketing, human resources, or management, or meet the standards for graduate-level work. Core studies and electives in the 36-credit major cover psychological theories about lifespan development, personality, abnormal behaviors, sociocultural norms, cognition, assessments, counseling techniques, death and dying, substance abuse, sports, and organizational behavior. Laboratory and fieldwork experiences accompany studies.
Reported cost: $25,030/yr
22. Columbia International University
BS in Psychology
This program contrasts worldview and Christian perspectives of psychology and develops approaches to meeting the mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs of people. General education studies include theology and Christian service learning courses. Classes in the major cover the foundations of psychology, human development, physiology, counseling models, group dynamics, personality, cultural anthropology, cognition, human intimacy, and family and youth counseling. Graduates with this degree pursue careers in education, social work, juvenile counseling, or the ministry.
Reported cost: $24,100/yr
Learn more about Columbia International University
21. Toccoa Falls College
Counseling Psychology Major
Toccoa Falls’ counseling psychology program blends traditional theories and practices with faith-based principles. Graduates learn practical counseling skills that are valuable for ministry, community service, mentoring positions, or leadership roles. Content covers human development, relationships, emotional needs, personality theories, religious counseling principles, and counseling practices for individuals, families, and groups. Additional electives cover topics such as sexuality, adolescence, and learning theories. Requirements include completion of a counseling internship or research project.
Reported cost: $21,120/yr campus, $11,238/yr online
Learn more about Toccoa Falls College
20. Calumet College of Saint Joseph
BS in Psychology
At CCSJ, small class sizes and experiential learning support the academic process to earn a BS in psychology. Graduates are employable at the entry level in health, education, social, business, or religious vocations, or can pursue higher degrees toward psychology licensure. The 125-credit curriculum covers human development and learning, behavior, intellect, emotion, personality, rehabilitation, and research. Practical application skills come from field experiences through supervised placements in clinics, schools, community agencies, or professional work settings.
Reported cost: $20,370/yr
19. Emmaus Bible College
Bachelor of Science in Counseling Psychology
Emmaus’ degree in psychology counseling fulfills prerequisites for assistant or technician roles at the paraprofessional level or for continuing with graduate studies in Christian or secular master’s programs. The degree focuses on effective counseling practices as used in ministry or community counseling vocations. Studies encompass Biblical counseling viewpoints, traditional psychology theories, and evidence-based counseling practices. The curriculum expands understanding of problem identification, care delivery, appreciation of diversity, counseling techniques, behavioral science, and research applications.
Reported cost: $19,250/yr
Learn more about Emmaus Bible College
18. Dallas Christian College
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and the Bible
Dallas Christian’s affordable psychology degree encourages students to improve personal and community well-being through their careers. Students can enroll in traditional on-campus classes or pursue the online psychology degree, a flexible option for many adult learners. The 129-credit curriculum encompasses courses in theology, general education, psychology foundations, and related electives, as well as a supervised internship. Degree-level skills enhance marketability for entry-level positions and prepare graduates for further studies toward becoming licensed psychologists.
Reported cost: $17,495/yr
17. Virginia Union University
Psychology Major
Virginia Union’s interdisciplinary psychology program prepares graduates for leadership in bachelor-level careers and to complete master’s work in clinical psychology, counseling, industrial and organizational psychology, school psychology, urban planning, and theology. The curriculum addresses psychology principles, research practices, human development across the lifespan, assessments, abnormal psych, biological and sociocultural influences on the mind, learning theory, and cognition. Students demonstrate competencies through field experiences in real-world settings such as the Juvenile Detention Center, YWCA, Geara Group, sleep clinics, and area research labs.
Reported cost: $17,486/yr
Learn more about Virginia Union University
16. Florida Memorial University
BA/BS in Psychology
This program trains students to assess behavior and use evidence-based practices to encourage positive change. Studies include understanding the causes and development of psychological disorders, the impacts of emotions, sexuality, and culture on behavior, and acquiring competencies to improve motivation, self-esteem, and sensitivity perception. Graduates can work in entry-level, paraprofessional positions at mental health agencies, healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, public education settings, or social work groups. For those aspiring to work as licensed therapists or psychologists, the program lays a foundation for master’s work.
Reported cost: $16,236/yr
Learn more about Florida Memorial University
15. Paine College
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
For an affordable psychology degree with personalized career focus, Paine offers tracks in counseling, experimental, or generalist studies for clinical psychology, mental health, education, neurobiology, health sciences, or research professions. Program completion requires participation in internships and research activities through partnerships with national and local organizations, which provide networking opportunities for finding employment. Graduates can enroll in master’s or doctoral studies in their chosen emphasis or apply for entry-level paraprofessional positions.
Reported cost: $16,096/yr
14. Mid-Atlantic Christian University
BA/BS in Counseling and Psychology
This 127-credit program combines a Biblical Studies major with a Counseling and Psychology major, leading to BA or BS degrees. Program outcomes include understanding how emotional, spiritual, and mental needs impact relationships and personal growth and developing marketable skills for paraprofessional careers in education, rehabilitation, the justice system, mental health, or ministerial counseling. Both tracks involve internship training in counseling settings. Coursework explores marriage and family counseling, human sexuality, spiritual development, cross-cultural communication, and human services. Many graduates continue in master’s or doctoral work, leading to professional licensing.
Reported cost: $14,880/yr
Learn more about Mid-Atlantic Christian University
13. Wilberforce University
BA/BS in Psychology
Wilberforce offers both BA and BS degrees in psychology, depending on career goals. BA recipients often work in fields such as social work, education, or sociology. The BS provides a stronger clinical focus designed for work in research or therapeutic occupations. Courses investigate methods for critically analyzing human behavior and for using effective counseling practices to facilitate change. Either degree can be a foundation for further graduate studies leading to licensure in psychology.
Reported cost: $13,250/yr
Learn more about Wilberforce University
12. Touro University Worldwide
Online Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology
Touro’s online psychology degree appeals to adult learners who need flexible scheduling. The program takes a holistic approach to studying human behavior and mental well-being while building personal and professional competencies. Curricular studies incorporate learning and cognition, developmental and experimental psychology, sociocultural influences on the mind and behavior, and the etiology of psychological disorders. Concentrated electives individualize the degree in secondary education, elementary education, special education, or industrial and organizational psychology.
Reported cost: $12,000/yr
11. The Lincoln University
BA/BS in Psychology
Lincoln University offers an undergraduate psychology degree that can be specialized in clinical counseling, organizational psychology, or biopsychosocial health. Foundational courses cover core content for the major, while electives develop areas of concentration. Additional components include research activities and field experiences. A clinical counseling concentration prepares students for research and therapeutic careers. The organizational specialty allows students to emphasize studies in sports, health,h or communications—students in the bio-psychosocial degree prepare for future careers in the health and research industries.
Reported cost: $11,718/yr
10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
BS in Psychology
This affordable psychology degree program provides foundations for advanced specializations in the field. The 120-credit curriculum explores theories and practices related to language and communication, feelings and emotions, learning and memory, intelligence, thought, perception, and attention. Competencies are developed through lab experiments studying human behavior and independent research. While most graduates enter master’s programs upon completing their bachelor’s programs, those who enter the workforce bring valuable skills in human resources and relationships to any career field.
Reported cost: $8,158/yr
9. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Psychology Program – Bachelor of Science
Meeting the needs of people wherever one works and lives describes the mission of the UAPB psychology program. A hallmark is continual curricular development in response to psychological trends, resulting in new offerings such as human psychophysiology, social psychology, and the relationship between stress, health, and disease. Additionally, student-centered research and hands-on activities help connect theories to effective therapeutic practices. Graduates of this bachelor’s program usually continue with advanced studies or pursue careers in mental health, rehabilitation, social services, addiction counseling, business, marketing, or education.
Reported cost: $8,064/yr
8. Concord University
BS in Psychology
Through theoretical and applied courses, this affordable psychology degree encourages students to connect behavior and thought with cultural and environmental influences. Core studies build on the foundations of behavior, research, assessment, cognition, sociocultural constructs, and learning. Electives cover sexuality, industrial and organizational practice, substance abuse, personality, and behavior disorders. Graduates can find employment in psychology-related fields or pursue advanced studies to become psychologists in clinical practice, education, industry, medicine, or law.
Reported cost: $8,050/yr
7. Brigham Young University-Hawaii
BS in Psychology
The psychology major at BYUH earns graduates a generalist degree for people-oriented occupations involving human resource management, public welfare, marketing, teaching, consulting, or administration. The degree also acts as a stepping stone to master’s programs to earn licensing credentials in psychology. Material includes core studies in research methods, psychological theory, development, behavior, cognition, sociology, and pathologies of the mind. Electives allow majors to focus on areas of interest such as consumer behavior, organizational behavior, cultural psychology, psychotherapy, multivariate statistics, animal behavior, sports psychology, or intercultural conflict dynamics.
Reported cost: $7,627/yr
6. Southern University at New Orleans
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
This affordable psychology degree program guides students in applying psychological principles in work and life situations to improve the human condition. Degree flexibility allows some students to complete the bachelor’s curriculum in three years. Students engage in studies examining human behavior from cultural, social, economic, developmental, emotional, perceptual, physiological, educational, and legal perspectives. Independent study and research activities complete the requirements. Graduates are expected to continue with master’s work or use their psychology skills to advance in other professions.
Reported cost: $7,230/yr
5. Fort Valley State University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology
Offering a flexible, affordable psychology degree, FVSU prepares students with the required competencies to find employment in psychology-related fields or to pursue further education toward licensure. Graduates from this program have gone on to work at addiction centers, mental health facilities, schools, and various government agencies. Program components span 125 credits across general education and core psychology classes, personalized electives, and a supervised internship. The program can be taken through traditional brick-and-mortar classes or as an online psychology degree.
Reported cost: $6,848/yr campus, $6,320/yr online
4. Central State University
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
CSU offers a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a broad curriculum that develops skills valuable for interpersonal communication and human resources development across occupations. Studies explore human growth and development, behavior, emotions, personality, and evidence-based psychological practices. Experiential learning supports instruction in collaborative settings such as health clinics, the juvenile justice system, school counseling programs, and child welfare agencies. Graduates can find pre-professional jobs working in psychiatric programs, daycare, child welfare, management, or the court system. They can also pursue advanced studies to become licensed psychologists.
Reported cost: $6,726/yr
3. University of South Florida-Sarasota-Manatee
BA in Psychology
The USF Sarasota-Manatee psychology degree offers well-rounded training for students pursuing careers and advanced studies in behavioral and social sciences. Studies explore cognition, learning, neuroscience, assessments, aging, clinical practices, emotions, counseling techniques, personality, and disorders of the mind. Requirements also include supervised directed studies to apply theories in real-world situations. Graduates can find entry-level positions in social work, research, human resources, healthcare, or justice careers. They can also continue with advanced studies to become a licensed psychologist in forensic psychology, sports psychology, clinical research, or industry and organizational settings.
Reported cost: $5,580/yr
2. Berea College
Psychology BA.
Through the Tuition Promise Scholarship, which is awarded to all admitted students, Berea has historically been one of the lowest-cost options on this list. However, you should confirm the current figure directly with the school. Course components include general education requirements, core classes in the major, lab classes, related electives, and a capstone research project. By studying neuroscience, cognition, personality, multiculturalism, social psychology, and clinical methods through interactive lectures and field work, students gain professional competencies for people-oriented careers in business, social services, the justice system, or education. Curricular foundations also provide a base for advanced studies in clinical, experimental, applied, educational, or industrial psychology.
Reported cost: $600/yr
1. College of the Ozarks
Psychology, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
The College of the Ozarks offers one of the most flexible, affordable psychology degree programs. Worldview Instruction combines a biblically based worldview with traditional psychological approaches to develop pre-professional knowledge and skills. Experiential learning through community field work allows students to define their career goals. Degree outcomes anticipate that students will continue with graduate studies to pursue careers in general counseling, criminal justice, clinical psychology, social services, or school counseling. Those entering the workforce will be suited for entry-level positions as assistants or technicians in fields such as health, education, law, or advertising.
Reported cost: $14,600/yr
What to Look For in an Affordable, Selective Small College for Psychology
Cost is the headline on this list, but it isn’t the only thing worth comparing. A few factors are worth checking before you commit to any school above:
- Institutional accreditation. Confirm that any school on this list holds regional accreditation (from a body such as MSCHE, NECHE, HLC, or SACSCOC) or, for some faith-based schools, national accreditation (such as DEAC or ABHE) before you apply. Regional accreditation is generally what employers and graduate schools expect, and it makes transferring credit easier. A bachelor’s degree is never “APA-accredited.” The American Psychological Association accredits only doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, so at the undergraduate level, institutional accreditation matters.
- Net price vs. sticker price. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price you’d see on a brochure, and the two can differ by tens of thousands of dollars a year. The cost figures in this guide are carried forward from the original version of this list and haven’t been re-verified as one or the other, so don’t treat them as a precise ranking. Run each school’s official net price calculator to get a number specific to your situation before ruling a school out on cost alone.
- Class size and faculty access. Small colleges tend to mean more direct contact with professors, undergraduate research opportunities, and closer mentorship, advantages that matter if you’re building a case for graduate school.
- What comes after the bachelor’s? Most roles that use the title “psychologist” require a doctorate. If you’re using this degree as a stepping stone, look at how much research and internship experience a program builds in, since that’s what graduate admissions committees weigh most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a psychology degree from a small college respected by employers and graduate schools?
Yes, as long as the school carries proper institutional accreditation. Graduate admissions committees look at your coursework, GPA, research experience, and letters of recommendation, not the size of your undergraduate school. Several colleges on this list are highly selective liberal arts schools with strong track records of sending graduates into competitive doctoral programs.
What’s the difference between a school’s “net price” and its sticker price?
Sticker price is the full published cost of tuition, fees, and often room and board before any financial aid is applied. Net price is what the average student actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted. The two can differ by tens of thousands of dollars a year at private colleges with generous aid budgets, so always check net price, not the number on the brochure.
Do I need to attend a big university to become a licensed psychologist?
No. Undergraduate psychology programs at small colleges cover the same foundational coursework as larger schools. What matters most for licensure is completing an accredited doctoral program (PhD or PsyD), supervised practice hours, and passing the EPPP. Your bachelor’s degree needs to give you the coursework and research experience to get into that doctoral program.
Are online psychology degrees a more affordable alternative to a small college?
Online programs can lower costs by cutting room, board, and commuting expenses, and several schools on this list, including Touro University Worldwide and Crown College, report lower costs for their online tracks than for their on-campus programs. That said, on-campus research opportunities and faculty mentorship are harder to replicate online, so weigh cost savings against what you’d give up.
What should I check besides tuition before choosing a small college for psychology?
Confirm the school’s institutional accreditation, ask about undergraduate research and internship opportunities, and look at where recent graduates ended up, whether that’s employment or graduate school acceptance. A lower price tag doesn’t help if the program can’t get you where you want to go next.
If a large university is more your speed, see our ranking of the Top 50 Universities to Earn a Psychology Degree. For related affordable options, check out 30 Great Small Colleges for a Counseling Degree (Bachelor’s) and the Top 20 Most Innovative Graduate Psychology Degree Programs.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Psychologists (including Clinical & Counseling, Industrial-Organizational, and School Psychologists) and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2026.