Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs 2024
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2024At BestColleges, we use factors that current college students say matter most when choosing a school to determine our rankings. We consider things like tuition affordability, student outcomes, and reputation.
With a degree in psychology, you can work in a clinical setting, in schools, or in workplaces. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of psychologists is projected to grow 7% from 2023-2033 as people grow more aware of the impact of mental health on other aspects of life, like learning.
Featured Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Why University of Florida – Online Ranks No. 1 This Year
University of Florida landed in the top spot this year for a number of reasons, primarily for affordability. It ranked No.1 for net price. If you’re an in-state student, the cost of attending UF Online is only $129 per credit hour. The school’s online psychology program also has a high graduation rate of 72%.
It was also the top school for degree completion rates for students from low and middle-income backgrounds, demonstrating its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The school also has a strong reputation. Graduates earn an average salary of $47,700 six years after entering college at University of Florida.
Top Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs of 2024
University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$3,358
- Out-of-state$15,000
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled5,168
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
George Mason University
- Fairfax, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,510
- Out-of-state$32,970
- In-State$13,035
- Out-of-state$34,347
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled38,628
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,749
- Out-of-state$27,201
- In-State$6,970
- Out-of-state$24,607
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled34,464
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
- Lowell, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,078
- Out-of-state$33,004
- In-State$14,590
- Out-of-state$26,370
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled17,597
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Columbia, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,017
- Out-of-state$28,992
- In-State$9,950
- Out-of-state$27,245
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled31,401
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled56,664
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate36%
- Students Enrolled70,310
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
John Brown University
- Siloam Springs, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$27,662
- Out-of-state$27,662
- In-State$13,920
- Out-of-state$13,920
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled2,459
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Oregon State University
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,065
- Out-of-state$29,456
- In-State$13,446
- Out-of-state$27,297
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled33,193
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
- Stillwater, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,417
- Out-of-state$20,937
- In-State$5,611
- Out-of-state$21,114
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled24,577
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
More Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
Some schools just missed the cut for our top 10 online psychology programs, but might still be the right school for you. Oklahoma State University‘s online psychology program has competitive student outcomes and gives you the option to add a second major or minor.
Another leading program is the University of Minnesota Duluth. Graduates from its online bachelor of applied science in psychology have gone on to work in unique roles like adoption counselor for the Animal Allies Humane Society.
Is a Psychology Degree Worth It?
When deciding whether or not to go for your psychology degree, there are a number of advantages and drawbacks you should consider. With this degree, you’ll open a variety of career opportunities in different settings. It can also be rewarding to help people overcome their personal struggles.
On the other hand, you may find topics involving trauma to be emotionally draining. A number of psychology jobs — such as therapist or social worker — will require a master’s degree. Instead of going for a psychology bachelor’s degree, you could choose a similar program like social work, sociology, or neuroscience.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Psychology Program
There are a number of key factors you should consider when choosing the right psychology program for you.
Consider:
Cost
Some schools offer a special per-credit rate for online learners.Flexibility
Programs can be taught on a traditional schedule or in an asynchronous format. Depending on other demands in your life, you may need a more flexible program.Location
For some online programs, your tuition will be determined by your residency status. Depending on the school, out-of-state tuition might be substantially higher than in-state.Program length
Some programs may be longer than others. Other schools might offer accelerated programs, or allow you to transfer as many as 90 credits from your prior education, cutting down the amount of courses you’ll need to complete.Career goals
If you plan on going to graduate school and pursuing a career in research and academia, you should make sure the college you go to in undergrad has opportunities for you to do research for a psychology professor. Some graduate programs require research experience before applying.
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