Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs of 2025
An online bachelor’s in psychology program can prepare you for a variety of careers. Learn about this degree and if it’s right for you.
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2025At a Glance: BestColleges’ Top Online Psychology Bachelor’s Programs
- #1: University of Florida — UF Online offers more affordable in-state tuition and a social app to stay connected with other online students.
- #2: George Mason University — GMU’s online psychology program offers eight different concentrations, while most programs on our list offer five or fewer.
- #3: Florida International University — Students in FIU’s online psychology program have access to a personal success coach.
Are you curious about human minds, behaviors, and why people act the way they do? Maybe you want to help people as a therapist, school counselor, or social worker.
Graduating from an online bachelor’s in psychology program can lead to a variety of careers, including human resources and market research. And it can establish a foundation to pursue advanced degrees and careers in social work, counseling, and therapy. The opportunities are diverse.
We’ve ranked the best online programs in psychology to help start your search.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs of 2025
We use trusted sources like Peterson’s Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
1. University of Florida
$4,477
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$10,770
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$25,694
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$27,335
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Online Enrollment: 57%
- Institution Type: Public
Why UF Online Made Our List
At the top spot of our list is the University of Florida’s online bachelor of arts in psychology program. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching about the brain by weaving together the social and biological bases for development and behavior. The program can not only help prepare you for further education in psychology and mental health counseling, but it can also help you develop skills for other non-psychology fields requiring a bachelor’s degree.
Why Attend UF Online
- Online Student Social App: The UF Online Plaza allows you to connect with fellow online students and get support from faculty and staff at any time.
- Lower In-State Tuition: Online students who are Florida residents pay $129 per credit.
- High Retention Rate: 97% of UF’s first-year students returned for the second year — a great indicator that they were satisfied with their education.
Know Before You Go
- Same Faculty as on Campus: The online and in-person psychology program faculty are one and the same, meaning you’ll get the same academic rigor online as you would on campus.
- Higher Out-of-State Tuition: If you are an online student but not a Florida resident, the cost per credit is over $400 more than for in-state online students.
2. George Mason University
$9,796
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$13,426
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$33,960
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$35,377
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Online Enrollment: 71%
- Institution Type: Public
Why George Mason Online Made Our List
In George Mason University’s online psychology program, you can choose between a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree. It depends on if you want to dive deeper into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) or stick more to social sciences. A bachelor of science degree can prepare you for biopsychology, statistical analysis, research, neuroscience, and healthcare.
Why Attend George Mason
- Eight Concentrations: Its online psychology program offers eight different psychology concentrations to choose from — many more than usual — making it great for a wide variety of career paths.
- High Acceptance Rate: George Mason accepts almost 9 out of 10 students, so you have a good chance of getting in.
- Choice of Science or Arts Focus: George Mason’s online psychology program allows you to choose between a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science path, so you can tailor your learning to your future career.
Know Before You Go
- Standard Tuition Rate: George Mason’s online tuition rates are the same as its on-campus rates.
- High Application Fee: It costs $70 to apply to the program, which is higher than average application fees in the U.S.
3. Florida International University
$6,168
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$911
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$18,566
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$2,003
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Online Enrollment: 67%
- Institution Type: Public
Why FIU Online Made Our List
Florida International University’s online bachelor’s in psychology will introduce you to five fields of study within psychology: experimental, social, applied, personality/abnormal, and developmental. This helps prepare you to work in social settings like social services and human resources or in STEM-driven careers like statistical analysis or applied psychology.
Why Attend FIU Online
- One-on-One Coaching: You’ll receive a personal success coach and teaching from the same faculty as on campus.
- Lower Tuition Rate: FIU has among the lowest tuition rates for in-state students on our list.
- Explore Multiple Psychology Fields: You’ll be introduced to STEM-driven and socially driven fields and interpersonal and statistical skills.
Know Before You Go
- Selective Acceptance Rate: While the acceptance rate is likely higher for online students, FIU’s institutionwide acceptance rate is 59%, which makes admission more competitive than other schools on our list.
4. University of Arizona
$11,210
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$12,348
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$35,628
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$32,290
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Online Enrollment: 60%
- Institution Type: Public
Why Arizona Online Made Our List
The University of Arizona’s online bachelor of arts in psychology program explores development “from infancy to old age,” how environment shapes behavior, and how brain disorders impact people. Some classes you’ll take cover cognitive development, social psychology, relationships and aging in a sociocultural context, psychology of leadership, and forensic psychology.
Why Attend Arizona Online
- Diversify Skills: Build skills in leadership, critical thinking, statistics, behavior, time management, and ethical responsibility.
- Explore Different Fields: Some fields the program can help prepare you for are education, forensics, psychology, healthcare, and business.
- High Acceptance Rate: Arizona’s acceptance rate is 86%, meaning you’ll have a high chance of being admitted.
Know Before You Go
- Additional Degree Requirements: You must either have a minor or a double major to graduate from the program.
- One Cost per Credit: You’ll pay $525 per credit, regardless of your residence status. This rate is comparatively low for out-of-state tuition, so this might work in your favor if you’re not an Arizona resident.
5. University of Missouri-Columbia
$13,000
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$10,447
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$33,200
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$28,605
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Online Enrollment: 54%
- Institution Type: Public
Why Mizzou Online Made Our List
As a student in Mizzou’s online psychology bachelor’s program, you’ll learn about behavior and mental health, learn how to write and speak about behavior, and understand human relationships and development. In this research-focused program, you’ll be equipped to move toward a Ph.D. — a degree type focused on research and teaching.
Why Attend Mizzou Online
- Learn About Career Choices: You’ll be required to learn about the careers within psychology, so you’ll leave the program equipped with where to go in your career and what you’ll need to succeed.
- Two Areas to Explore: The online psychology program splits requirements between two focus areas — clinical/social/development and cognitive/neuroscience.
Know Before You Go
- High Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Mizzou’s student-to-faculty ratio is 18-to-1, meaning you may have larger class sizes and less access to the professor as you would in a smaller class.
- Higher Tuition-per-Credit Rate: Students who take less than 12 hours and more than 18 credit hours will pay $680 per credit for the bachelor of arts in psychology program.
6. University of Massachusetts Lowell
$15,850
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$14,956
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$34,676
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$27,030
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Online Enrollment: 39%
- Institution Type: Public
Why UML Online Made Our List
With UML Online’s bachelor’s in psychology, you’ll finish your program with key psychology takeaways including research methods and ethical values. Through UML’s bachelor’s-to-master’s pathways, some programs can be finished in five years and a master’s degree may be completed for $20,000 or less before financial aid.
Why Attend UML Online
- Rolling Admissions: You can apply for this program anytime and hear back as soon as UML Online receives and processes your application.
- Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Pathway: As an undergraduate, you can take up to six credits of graduate-level courses to apply toward a master’s degree.
- Finish Early: You can finish your bachelor’s degree in as little as 12-36 months if you have transfer credits.
Know Before You Go
- Higher Student-to-Faculty Ratio: UML’s 17-to-1 faculty ratio means your classes may be larger, and you may have less access to your professor.
- Higher Application Fee: You’ll need to pay $60 to apply for the program, which is a bit above the national average.
7. Louisiana State University
$8,047
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$9,132
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$24,731
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$9,132
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Online Enrollment: 48%
- Institution Type: Public
Why LSU Online Made Our List
The LSU Online psychology bachelor’s program gives you five concentrations to choose from: general psychology, clinical psychology, family and community dynamics, industrial and organizational psychology, and applied behavior analysis. Students also have the opportunity to join an online-exclusive honor society.
Why Attend LSU Online
- Tuition per Credit: $340 per credit hour. If you bring the maximum amount of credits allowed to transfer, you’ll only pay $10,200 for the program.
- Online-Only Honor Society: Join Omega Nu Lambda, created to build relationships and network with other online students.
- Six Start Dates: The flexible start dates for LSU Online’s programs mean you can start when it’s convenient for you.
Know Before You Go
- Higher Student-to-Faculty Ratio: LSU has one of the highest student-to-faculty ratios on our list at 20-to-1.
- Small Number of Graduates: The number of students who completed this program is the second lowest on the list at 199.
- Synchronous Classes: Classes have specific meeting times, so you have less flexibility than with an asynchronous class model.
8. Oklahoma State University
$5,417
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$4,208
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$20,937
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$15,836
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Online Enrollment: 53%
- Institution Type: Public
Why OSU Online Made Our List
If you’re interested in healthcare, OSU’s online psychology bachelor’s degree covers forensic psychology, mental health, psychology of sport and human performance, and pediatric psychology. OSU also makes sure you feel at home online and offers over 500 student organizations you can join, a writing center, tutoring services, study abroad, and wellness services.
Why Attend OSU Online
- High Admission Rate: The 71% acceptance rate means you’ll have a decent chance of being admitted to OSU.
- Join Student Organizations: Online students are encouraged to join any of the 500-plus student organizations also available to in-person students.
- Writing and Tutoring Centers: The LASSO center offers free tutoring and peer-led collaborative studying. If you need help writing, check out the writing center.
Know Before You Go
- No Concentrations: This program has no concentrations, so you’ll be receiving a broader education, unlike other programs on our list that offer specific psychology concentrations.
- Higher Student-to-Faculty Ratio: OSU’s 18-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio means your classes might be larger and you won’t have as much access to your professor as in a smaller class.
- Average Student Completions: The number of students who completed the online psychology program is the third-lowest on the list.
9. University of Kansas
$10,294
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$9,989
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$27,500
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$23,951
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Online Enrollment: 46%
- Institution Type: Public
Why KU Online Made Our List
KU Online’s psychology bachelor’s degree program is asynchronous — making it a great option if you have a full-time job, are a parent, or are generally busy. You’ll study research methodology, critical analysis, data and statistical collection, project management, and statistical software. This program is designed for people with some prior college experience. You’ll need at least 24 hours of credit or 40 credit hours optimally.
Why Attend KU Online
- Rolling Admissions: KU Online accepts applications at any time, and if you can’t make it into the earliest start date, your application will roll over to the next.
- Asynchronous Courses: Students in KU’s online psychology program don’t have scheduled meeting times, so you can “attend” classes whenever it’s most convenient.
- High Retention and Admission Rate: With retention and admission rates both over 80%, you can expect a high chance of getting into KU and staying there.
Know Before You Go
- One Tuition Rate: You’ll pay $445 per credit hour, regardless of your residence status. This rate is comparatively low for out-of-state tuition, so this might work in your favor if you’re not a Kansas resident.
- Degree-Completion Program: KU Online’s psychology program is designed for people with some prior college experience. You’ll be required to have at least 24 hours of credit or 40 hours optimally.
- Domestic Students Only: The online psychology program is not available for international students.
10. Washington State University
$10,976
Undergrad Tuition,
In-State
$12,366
Grad Tuition,
In-State
$27,052
Undergrad Tuition,
Out-of-State
$27,163
Grad Tuition,
Out-of-State
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Online Enrollment: 28%
- Institution Type: Public
Why WSU Global Campus Made Our List
In WSU’s online psychology bachelor’s program, you’ll have many opportunities typically exclusive to on-campus students, like conducting undergraduate research, being a teaching assistant, and becoming a tutor. Students also have access to psychology resources and networking opportunities — including clubs and Psi Chi, the psychology national honor society.
Why Attend WSU
- Lower Textbook Costs: Many of WSU’s online psychology courses use free online materials instead of textbooks.
- Opportunities for Online Students: You’ll find lots of opportunities and resources typically available to in-person students.
- High Retention and Admission Rates: WSU boasts an 81% retention rate and an 85% acceptance rate.
Know Before You Go
- Application Fee: To apply, you’ll need to pay a $70 fee — more than the average college application fee nationwide.
Why You Should Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
- Learn About Human Behavior: Psychologists are experts on how people think, feel, and behave.
- Expand Career Opportunities: Psychology graduates can pursue a variety of career paths like counseling and human resources.
- Improved Interpersonal Skills: By studying psychology, you can enhance your empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
- Change Lives: As a psychologist, you can teach people how to understand their own minds and improve their mental health.
Benefits of Getting a Bachelor’s in Psychology Online
- In our 2024 Online Education Trends Report, most online program graduates (73%) say their programs prepared them for employment after graduation — and 31% say they were extremely well prepared.
- 93% of all students we surveyed say their online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment (ROI).
- 97% of prospective online students, currently enrolled online students, and online program graduates would recommend online education to others.
- 81% of student respondents say that online learning is better than or equal to on-campus learning.
Curious what courses you’ll take online? Check out our psychology degree program guide.
How to Choose the Best Online Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology Program for You
Before enrolling in an online bachelor’s in psychology program, it’s important to consider factors like costs and the length of the program to ensure it’s a good fit for you. You should also consider career outlook to understand what kinds of jobs you can pursue after you graduate.
How Much Does a Bachelor’s in Psychology Cost?
Online Bachelor’s in Psychology, 2019-2020
In-State
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $10,836
Avg. Net Price: $6,165
Out-of-State
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $13,396
Avg. Net Price: $9,053
Source: NCES PowerStats
Based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the typical cost of a bachelor’s in psychology online program for in-state students is just under $11,000 per year in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay around $13,400 per year.
The average net price — the amount you pay after financial aid — is around $6,200 for in-state students and $9,100 for out-of-state students.
This reduction of thousands of dollars shows just how much financial aid can offset the cost of college.
Find Financial Aid for Your Psychology Degree
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Psychology Degree?
Typical Number of Credits
120 Credits
Typical Program Length
4 Years
You can expect to spend four years earning your bachelor’s in psychology degree online. You’ll likely have to earn 120 credits to graduate.
You can shorten your time in school by choosing an accelerated online program.
Other ways to shorten your time in school include transferring relevant credits and earning credit for life and work experience.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology?
The career outlook for those with a bachelor’s in psychology appears to be promising.
Some fast-growing roles you can pursue after you graduate include human resources specialist, market research analyst, and social and community service manager. The job growth rate for all these occupations is projected to be 8% from 2023-2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The projected job growth rate for health education specialists during the same time period is 7%, while jobs for probation officers and correction treatment specialists are projected to grow 4%.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Health Education Specialists | $63,000 | Designs and teaches programs that educate people about health issues. |
| Human Resources Specialists | $72,910 | Screens applications and conducts job interviews, and manages compensation and employee relations. |
| Market Research Analysts | $76,950 | Designs surveys, questionnaires, and opinion polls to determine the potential sales of a service or product. |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $64,520 | Helps rehabilitate law offenders who are on probation or parole. |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $78,240 | Plans and coordinates social service programs and other organizations that promote public wellness. |
Learn More About Psychology Jobs
Is a Bachelor’s in Psychology Worth It?
Whether a bachelor’s in psychology is worth it depends on your career goals and personal interests. Compare how much your degree costs against how much you plan to earn after you graduate to determine the return on investment of your program.
The average starting salary for class of 2023 bachelor’s degree-holders was $63,721, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Adult learners may find a big advantage in the flexibility of online learning.
Once you graduate, you can apply for a variety of jobs. An online bachelor’s in psychology can provide skills that apply to several different fields, like social services and human resources.
Education Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree
After you earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you can pursue advanced degrees. If you’d like to become a licensed psychologist, for example, you’ll need to continue your education with a master’s degree and doctoral degree.
A master of social work (MSW) is the natural next step for professionals who’d like to become licensed social workers. You can also pursue related master’s degrees in human resources, education, and criminal justice.
Advanced degrees can create opportunities for higher-paying, specialized careers. For example, industrial-organizational psychologists earned an average salary of $109,840 in 2024, according to the BLS. This role requires a master’s degree.
A master’s degree allows you to enroll in a Ph.D. in psychology or doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) program. With a doctoral degree in psychology, you can take research or teaching jobs within academia or pursue a specialization such as neuropsychology or developmental psychology.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s in Psychology Degrees
Whether to get a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) in psychology depends on your interests and career goals. Both degrees will give you a foundation in psychology, but each one takes a different approach.
A BA in psychology emphasizes the liberal arts, focusing more on the humanities and social sciences such as social and abnormal psychology.
A BS in psychology focuses more on mathematics and the natural sciences such as neuroscience and biopsychology.
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