The best online bachelor’s degree in psychology programs pair institutional accreditation with a transparent per-credit cost and transfer-credit flexibility, since a psychology degree won’t get you licensed but sets up counseling, HR, research, and graduate-school paths. This guide features 10 accredited schools offering online BA and BS programs, chosen for accreditation, affordability, and flexible scheduling.
You already know you want a psychology degree. The question is which online program actually delivers real accreditation, a predictable cost before you enroll, and enough flexibility to keep your job while you finish. We built this list of the best online bachelor’s degree in psychology programs around those three factors, the same ones detailed on our How We Choose the Psychology Degree Programs We Consider to Be the Best page. None of these ten will hand you a license to practice on their own, since that takes a graduate degree and supervised hours. Still, each one gives you a solid foundation for counseling-adjacent work, human resources, research assistant roles, or a master’s program down the road.
BA or BS? What Actually Changes in an Online Psychology Degree
Nine of the ten schools below offer a Bachelor of Arts, one offers a Bachelor of Science, and the difference matters less than the letters suggest. Both cover the same core psychology sequence: research methods, statistics, abnormal psychology, and developmental psychology. A BA leans on liberal arts and humanities electives, which fit students eyeing careers in HR, communications, or law. A BS adds more math and science coursework, which suits students planning to apply to research-heavy or clinical graduate programs later. Neither track is the “serious” one. Graduate programs weigh your coursework, GPA, and research experience more heavily than whether your diploma says BA or BS. If you want a deeper breakdown of the two paths, see our guide to bachelor’s degrees in psychology.
10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs at a Glance
Every school listed below holds institutional accreditation, which is the only type of accreditation a bachelor’s program can hold. The American Psychological Association accredits doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, not bachelor’s degrees, so treat any claim of an “APA-accredited bachelor’s” as a red flag. The tuition figures below are current per-credit rates and change annually, so confirm the exact amount on each school’s website before you enroll.
| School | Degree | Tuition | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. University of Arizona | BA in Psychology | ~$525/credit | WSCUC |
| 2. University of Massachusetts Amherst | BA, Applied Psychology concentration | $470/credit | NECHE |
| 3. Colorado Technical University | BS in Psychology | ~$335/credit | HLC |
| 4. University of Massachusetts Global | BA in Psychology | $500/credit | WSCUC |
| 5. Southern New Hampshire University | BA in Psychology | $354/credit | NECHE |
| 6. Baker College | BS in Psychology | ~$450/credit | HLC |
| 7. Waldorf University | BA in Psychology | $345/credit | HLC |
| 8. California Southern University | BA in Psychology | $425/credit | WSCUC |
| 9. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology | BA in Psychology | ~$542/credit | WSCUC |
| 10. Crown College | BS in Psychology/Counseling | $530/credit | HLC |
1. University of Arizona
Arizona’s online BA in Psychology covers clinical, cognitive, behavioral neuroscience, developmental, and social psychology, and it charges the same per-credit rate no matter where you live, since the university drops out-of-state tuition entirely for its online programs. The university holds institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Coursework runs in seven-and-a-half week terms, which suits students who want to move through material in shorter, more focused bursts.
More on the University of Arizona’s psychology programs
2. University of Massachusetts Amherst
UMass Amherst doesn’t offer a standalone online psychology major. Instead, it offers an Interdisciplinary Studies bachelor’s degree through University Without Walls (UWW) with an Applied Psychology concentration, covering areas such as educational and social psychology, abnormal psychology, and addiction. Tuition is a flat $470 per credit, no matter where you live, and UWW awards up to 30 credits for a prior-learning portfolio built from work and life experience. The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
More on the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s psychology programs
3. Colorado Technical University
CTU’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology leans toward business applications, with concentrations in general psychology, consumer behavior, and organizational behavior, aimed at students headed for management or HR roles rather than clinical work. CTU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Its CTU Fast Track exams let students test out of certain courses, which can cut both time and tuition by up to 30 percent.
More on Colorado Technical University’s psychology programs
4. University of Massachusetts Global
Formerly Brandman University, this school rebranded as University of Massachusetts Global in 2021 after affiliating with the UMass system, though it remains a separate private institution from UMass Amherst. Its online BA in Psychology charges $500 per credit, with active-duty military and spouses paying half that rate. WSCUC accredits the university, and students can transfer in up to 90 credits from another regionally accredited school.
More on the University of Massachusetts Global’s psychology programs
5. Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU’s online BA in Psychology bundles a 12-credit Data Literacy in Psychology certificate and offers five concentrations, including Forensic Psychology and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. At $354 per credit, it’s one of the more affordable nonprofit options on this list, and SNHU accepts up to 90 transfer credits. The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
More on Southern New Hampshire University’s psychology programs
6. Baker College
Baker’s online BS in Psychology follows the American Psychological Association’s guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major and covers human development, behavioral theory, and the biological bases of behavior. Tuition runs about $450 per credit, and Baker accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward the 120-credit program. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
More on Baker College’s psychology programs
7. Waldorf University
Waldorf’s online BA in Psychology runs on 8-week terms with 11 start dates a year, so you’re never waiting long to begin. Tuition is $345 per credit, and textbooks are included at no extra cost. Waldorf is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Waldorf University’s online psychology degree page
8. California Southern University
CalSouthern locks in your per-credit rate for the full duration of your enrollment, so any tuition increase after you start won’t affect your bill. Its online BA in Psychology costs $425 per credit, accepts up to 90 transfer credits, and culminates in a capstone project. WSCUC accredits the university.
More on California Southern University’s psychology programs
9. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
The Chicago School offers its BA in Psychology on two paths: a standard 120-credit track or a Focused Path that trims it to 90 credits and costs roughly a quarter less for students who qualify. Tuition runs about $542 per credit on the standard path. WSCUC accredits the school, and while its clinical PsyD is APA-accredited, the bachelor’s program is not, since APA accreditation doesn’t extend to the undergraduate level.
More on The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s programs
10. Crown College
Crown’s online BS in Psychology/Counseling teaches from a Biblical worldview and gives qualified students an accelerated path into Crown’s Master of Arts in Counseling during their senior year, shaving time off a counseling career track that leads to licensure in Minnesota and other states. Tuition is $530 per credit. Crown is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and by the Association for Biblical Higher Education for its religious programs.
More on Crown College’s psychology programs
What to Look For in an Online Psychology Bachelor’s Program
Once you’ve narrowed your list, a few details matter more than the marketing copy:
- Institutional accreditation, not APA accreditation. APA accredits doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, not bachelor’s degrees. What you want at this level is institutional accreditation from a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, like HLC, NECHE, or WSCUC. That’s what makes your credits transferable and your degree eligible for federal financial aid.
- How the school actually bills you. Most schools on this list charge a flat per-credit rate, but a few offer subscription-style or block-rate options that can save money if you can handle a heavier course load. Ask whether your rate is locked for the entire duration of your enrollment or can rise year to year.
- Transfer and prior-learning credit. Several schools here accept up to 90 transfer credits, and one awards credit for a prior learning portfolio based on work experience. If you’re not starting from zero, this can cut a year or more off your timeline.
- What the degree does and doesn’t do. A bachelor’s in psychology doesn’t make you a licensed psychologist or counselor. Licensure requires a master’s or doctoral degree, supervised practice hours, and a state exam. What a bachelor’s does well is open doors in HR, research support, and case management, and set you up for that graduate program when you’re ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do employers respect an online bachelor’s degree in psychology?
Yes, as long as the school carries institutional accreditation. Employers and graduate schools generally can’t tell an online degree from an on-campus one once it’s on a transcript, and accreditation is what actually protects you, since it determines whether your credits transfer and whether your degree qualifies for federal financial aid.
What’s the real difference between a BA and a BS in psychology?
Both cover the same core psychology curriculum. A BA adds more liberal arts and humanities electives, while a BS adds more math and science coursework. Neither one is a better foundation for graduate school. Programs care more about your GPA, coursework, and research experience than the two letters on your diploma.
Can I become a licensed psychologist with just a bachelor’s degree?
No. Every state requires a doctoral degree, supervised practice hours, and a passing score on the EPPP to practice as a licensed psychologist. A bachelor’s degree is the first step, not the last, and it’s a solid foundation if you plan to continue to a master’s or doctoral program.
How much does an online bachelor’s in psychology actually cost?
Among the schools on this list, per-credit tuition ranges from about $335 to $542, and a standard 120-credit degree runs somewhere between $40,000 and $65,000 before financial aid, transfer credits, or scholarships. Ask each school for its current rate before you enroll, since these numbers change annually.
Will my previous college credits transfer into one of these programs?
Most schools on this list accept up to 90 transfer credits from another accredited school, and one school awards additional credit for prior work or life experience. Ask for a transcript evaluation before you enroll, so you know exactly how many credits you have left to complete.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.