The Most Affordable Online Psychology Programs or Schools

• You can use a psychology degree in various fields, like counseling and social work.
• Online programs help you save money on on-campus fees, room and board, and transportation.
• With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you can make a median salary of $53,000 per year.

Psychology is a versatile major. With a psychology degree, you can become a psychologist, counselor, therapist, game designer, user experience professional, marketer, or executive leader. Whatever your career goals might be, this guide introduces the most affordable online psychology programs.

What Can I Do With an Online Psychology Degree?

What you can do with your psychology degree depends on whether you have a license to practice clinical psychology , your specialty area, and the level of the degree. For example, to become a counselor, social worker, or therapist, most states require you to have a master’s degree. Becoming a licensed psychologist requires a doctorate. Other careers in business and counseling, for example, use psychology but do not have licensing requirements.

Where Can I Work With a Psychology Degree?

• Human Resources: Psychology helps human resources staff foster organizational culture, support effective teamwork, and address other workplace needs. You can begin a human resources career with a bachelor’s degree, or pursue a master’s in human resources management, industrial-organizational psychology, or business administration.
• Counseling: Most states require counselors to have a master’s degree, pass a national examination, and complete supervised work experience. Counselors work in private offices, government agencies, schools, and other settings.
• Social Work: While most states require you to earn a master’s in social work, pass a national examination, and complete supervised work experience to become a social worker. You can work in the social work field with a psychology degree as a case manager or similar role.

How Much Can I Make With an Online Psychology Degree?

As in other fields, your salary varies based on your degree level, experience, other certifications or qualifications, and organizational role. An American Psychological Association (APA) study in 2019 found that workers with a bachelor’s in psychology earned a median salary of $50,000, $60,000 with a master’s degree, and $90,000 with a doctorate.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% job growth for psychologists between 2022 and 2032, approximately the same growth rate for all jobs. The BLS also projects 18% job growth for mental health, substance use disorder, or behavioral disorder counselors, due to a growing need for these services.

The Most Affordable Online Psychology Programs

What to Look for in an Online Psychology Program

The right psychology degree for you depends on your background and goals. But, when looking for a good psychology program, consider the curriculum, accreditation, and online learning format before making a decision.

Our ranking of the most affordable online psychology programs focuses on objective measures such as reputation, cost, and graduation rates.

Program Curriculum

Choose a program that has curriculum electives that relate to your goals. For example, if you plan a career in user experience design, a curriculum that includes more electives in design and cognition may match your needs better than one with electives focusing more on developmental and child psychology.

Accreditation

Accreditation is an independent review of a school’s academic quality and the most important factor in evaluating a program. Most employers will not even consider hiring graduates of unaccredited programs, and unaccredited program credits rarely transfer to accredited programs. Note that all programs on this list are accredited.

Program Length

The right program length and pace depend on your situation. A part-time program may be better if you plan to work while studying. Many of the most affordable online psychology programs offer part-time options or structure their programs around working students' needs.

School Graduation Rate

A school’s graduation rate, especially in the context of its admission rate, can indicate how successful students are in the program. A school with a high admission rate but low graduation rate might focus more on student volume than student success.

Online Learning Format and Requirements

Ensure that the online format and structure meet your needs, especially if this is your first online learning experience. Do the classes meet in real-time (synchronously), or do you attend by viewing lectures and participating in online discussions when convenient (asynchronously)?

What Can I Expect From an Online Psychology Program

Full-time bachelor’s programs usually require four years, but if you have existing college credit, you may be able to finish sooner.

In addition to online classes, psychology students participate in fieldwork under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or counselor .At the bachelor’s level, fieldwork is mostly observation, while at the doctorate level, you can expect much more active work and independence.

If you are not in the same geographic area as the program, you may need to find your own fieldwork placement. Some schools provide extensive support, especially for undergraduates, while other programs require students to make their own arrangements.

How Much Does an Online Psychology Degree Cost?

Tuition and costs vary significantly by school, and most schools will not indicate how much financial aid you are eligible for until you are admitted. In general, you can expect tuition to cost between $3,000-$10,000 per year for in-state tuition at public schools.

Private schools and out-of-state tuition typically cost between $7,000-$21,000 per year. However, scholarships can greatly reduce your costs. Attending school online means a significant saving on transportation and room and board, although you will still need to pay fees and buy or rent textbooks.

Everything Else You Need to Know About Affordable Online Psychology Programs

What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a counseling psychologist?

Clinical psychologists specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, while counseling psychologists specialize in assisting people through challenges in their life circumstances.

For example, a clinical psychologist might see a patient experiencing depressive symptoms, diagnose major depression, and provide cognitive behavioral therapy. In contrast, a counseling psychologist would see a patient who is having a difficult time with a life transition or other personal situation, and provide advice and support.

Are online psychology degrees respected?

Online psychology degrees are respected just as much as on-campus degrees. In fact, online graduates receive the same diploma. The school's overall reputation and accreditation factor into how respected their degrees are.

How much money can I make with a bachelor's in psychology?

The median salary of somebody with a bachelor's in psychology is $50,000, according to the APA. Half of all graduates with a bachelor of psychology earn $36,000-$76,000. Experience level, geographic location, and career choice are all important factors in determining how much you can earn.

Is a bachelor's in psychology worth it?

Whether a bachelor's in psychology is worth it depends on your personal and financial goals, career interests, and how much time and money you want to spend on your degree. A psychology degree is a versatile choice that can help you pursue careers in various fields, such as counseling and business. Attending one of the most affordable online psychology programs can help make the decision more cost-effective.