Most Affordable Online Psychology Programs of 2025

The most affordable online psychology programs offer quality education at a reasonable cost. Explore your options and don’t let price get in your way.
Rebecca Munday
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Updated December 2, 2024
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.

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

Featured Online Psychology Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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The Cheapest Online Psychology Degree Programs of 2025

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$4,477

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,694

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

23%

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,770

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,335

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

54,442

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,477

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,694

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,477

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,694

Acceptance Rate

23%

Online Enrollment

57%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,770

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,335

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

54,442

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$9,645

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,410

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

84%

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,408

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

4,661

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,645

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,410

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,645

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,410

Acceptance Rate

84%

Online Enrollment

83%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,408

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

4,661

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

University of Missouri-St Louis

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$13,440

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,432

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

57%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,154

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,294

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

14,815

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,440

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,432

University of Missouri-St Louis

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,440

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,432

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,154

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,294

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

14,815

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#4

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT4 yearCampus + Online

$9,103

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,861

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

87%

Acceptance Rate

55%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,353

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,961

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

35,262

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,103

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,861

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,103

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,861

Acceptance Rate

87%

Online Enrollment

55%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,353

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,961

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

35,262

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO2 yearCampus + Online

$8,151

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,151

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

79%

Acceptance Rate

63%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,205

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,186

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

9,686

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,151

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,151

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,151

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,151

Acceptance Rate

79%

Online Enrollment

63%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,205

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,186

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

9,686

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#6

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND4 yearCampus + Online

$9,237

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,856

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

77%

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,963

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,944

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

14,172

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,237

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,856

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,237

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,856

Acceptance Rate

77%

Online Enrollment

68%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,963

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,944

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

14,172

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#7

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE2 yearCampus + Online

$6,270

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,650

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

86%

Acceptance Rate

71%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,216

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,656

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

6,017

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,270

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,650

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,270

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,650

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

71%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,216

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,656

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

6,017

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#8

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID4 yearCampus + Online

$8,816

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,052

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

79%

Acceptance Rate

48%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,272

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,508

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

11,849

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,816

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,052

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,816

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,052

Acceptance Rate

79%

Online Enrollment

48%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,272

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,508

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

11,849

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#9

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$15,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$34,676

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

85%

Acceptance Rate

39%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,956

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,030

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

16,959

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,676

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,676

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

39%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,956

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,030

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

16,959

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL4 yearCampus + Online

$11,040

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

87%

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,424

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,260

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

21,639

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,040

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,520

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,040

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,520

Acceptance Rate

87%

Online Enrollment

68%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,424

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,260

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

21,639

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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 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, for example — use psychology skills 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 a 7% job growth for psychologists between 2023 and 2033, approximately the same growth rate for all jobs. The BLS also projects job growth of 19% for mental health, substance use disorder, or behavioral disorder counselors due to a growing need for these services.

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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 live in a different geographic area than 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.

What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Psychology Program?

Admission requirements vary widely among schools and programs. Generally, the most affordable online psychology programs require a high school diploma or GED certificate, transcripts, references, and an essay. Some schools require standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT.

Admission Materials

Typically, you need to have official test scores, transcripts. and references sent directly to the school’s admission office. You complete the rest of the application online. While most schools charge an application fee, some schools waive this for students with an income below a certain level.

Education

Your high school will send your official high school transcript, or you can send your GRE exam results. If you completed other education, such as summer programs or other online classes, most school applications let you list these separately.

GPA

The most affordable online psychology programs usually require a GPA between 2.0 and 3.5. If your GPA does not reflect your abilities, many schools allow you to explain any mitigating circumstances, such as serious illness or other disruptions. Most schools also weigh the relative difficulty of coursework, especially AP courses.

Entrance Exam

Many schools are reconsidering the use and importance of standardized examinations like the SAT and ACT, but some may still require them. However, SAT and ACT scores are rarely used as cutoffs.

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.

Average Annual Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree

In-State Tuition

$9,374

In-State Tuition, Room, and Board

$21,337

Everything Else You Need to Know About Affordable Online Psychology Programs

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.

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