Most Affordable Online Psychology Degree Programs
Got your eye on an online psychology degree but worried about the cost? Explore this year’s most affordable programs that fit your budget and get other tips for funding your degree.
Pursuing an online degree in psychology can lead to numerous career opportunities and provides more flexibility compared to traditional degree programs. However, with the increasing cost of college, finding an affordable program is crucial. In this article, we highlight accredited colleges offering the most affordable online psychology degrees. We also provide tips on how to cut college costs and limit student debt.
Programs that might interest you:
Most Affordable Online Psychology Degrees in 2024
Choosing the right school that aligns with your academic and professional aspirations, personal and financial needs, and location preference can be challenging. Factors such as academic reputation, location, and flexibility all contribute to your decision, but cost is often the decisive factor. To assist with your search, we have curated a list of the most affordable online degree programs in psychology. Our rankings are based on a combination of affordability and quality metrics provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). For more info about our ranking methodology, click the “About the ranking” button for more details.
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Career placement and academic counseling services.
- Maximum tuition of $15,000 per academic year
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for undergraduate students per academic year.
- Percentage of students who receive institutional financial aid (directly from the school)
- Average amount of institutional financial aid awarded.
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of students at the school taking at least one class online.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Percentage of full-time, first-time students graduating within 6 years.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychology that can be completed fully online or on campus. The program includes 120 credit hours of general education courses and psychology courses. Areas of concentration within the psychology curriculum include pediatric psychology, forensic psychology, the psychology of sports, and more. Prospective students must submit official transcripts and, for those with fewer than 24 college credits, SAT or ACT scores.
Program Highlights:
Psychology (BS)
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $341.20/credit (in-state); $858.45/credit (out-of-state)
- Mode: Online, In person
- Accreditation: HLC
2
Las Cruces, New Mexico
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program through New Mexico State University's Global Campus is a fully online, 120-credit bachelor's degree. Classes cover the science of the human brain and the practical applications of psychology career in settings as diverse as teaching, government, counseling, social work, and more. Tuition for the program is charged at a flat rate, regardless of residency. Discounted tuition is available for members of the U.S. military. Applicants complete an online NMSU scholarship application simultaneously with their program application.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $395.40/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: HLC
3
Moscow, Idaho
The University of Idaho offers two bachelor's degree programs in psychology: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS), both of which are available online and in person. Whichever program a student chooses, they'll get a foundational education in psychology and take general education courses in the liberal arts and sciences. The school has a transfer agreement with several community colleges, so students can complete their undergraduate psychology degree in the 2 + 2 program. Prospective students apply online; financial aid is available.
Program Highlights:
Psychology (BA, BS)
- Credits: 124
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $420/credit (in-state); $1,382/credit (out-of-state)
- Mode: Online, In person
- Accreditation: NWCCU
4
Mississippi State, Mississippi
5
Jonesboro, Arkansas
6
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
7
Tucson, Arizona
8
Birmingham, Alabama
9
Tampa, Florida
10
Maryville, Missouri
11
Flagstaff, Arizona
12
Chicago, Illinois
13
Westfield, Massachusetts
14
Salt Lake City, Utah
15
Saint Louis, Missouri
16
Logan, Utah
17
Chadron, Nebraska
18
Columbia, Missouri
19
Odessa, Texas
20
Orono, Maine
21
Monroe, Louisiana
22
Springfield, Illinois
23
Greeley, Colorado
24
Highland Heights, Kentucky
25
Morgantown, West Virginia
26
Durham, North Carolina
27
Hays, Kansas
28
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
29
Miami, Florida
30
Ruston, Louisiana
31
Portland, Maine
32
Zanesville, Ohio
33
Kearney, Nebraska
34
Boca Raton, Florida
35
Saint Clairsville, Ohio
36
Ironton, Ohio
37
Lawrence, Kansas
38
Fayetteville, North Carolina
39
Dover, Delaware
40
Pocatello, Idaho
41
Santa Fe Springs, California
42
Rolla, Missouri
43
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
44
Lancaster, Ohio
45
Chillicothe, Ohio
46
Albuquerque, New Mexico
47
Tallahassee, Florida
48
Corvallis, Oregon
49
Auburn, Alabama
50
Springfield, Missouri
College Ranking Methodology
Generate List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Career placement and academic counseling services.
- Maximum tuition of $15,000 per academic year
Assign Weightings
After generating the list of eligible schools, the STEPS data team then assigned weights and ranked schools based on their performance in a variety of key categories. Affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Affordability
- Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state tuition for undergraduate students per academic year.
- Percentage of students who receive institutional financial aid (directly from the school)
- Average amount of institutional financial aid awarded.
Online Learning
- Number of online programs in subject area self-reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Percentage of students at the school taking at least one class online.
Academic Quality
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Percentage of full-time, first-time students graduating within 6 years.
About Our Data
All STEPS rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: August 2023
Accreditation Glossary
ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
ABHES: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
ACCJC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
ACCSC: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
HLC: Higher Learning Commission
MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
1
Great Bend, Kansas
Barton County Community College's psychology associate degree, which takes two years to complete, familiarizes you with how the mind works, the mental processes psychologists must understand, the different types of counseling professionals use, and how people develop physically and psychologically from the day they're born. When you enroll as an online student, the school provides several services to help you have a good experience, including online teams dedicated to academic advising, financial aid assistance, and support navigating the online system. To make the experience seamless, the school's online portal, MyBarton Portal, houses all of the student information you need in one place.
Program Highlights:
Associate in Science in Psychology
- Credits: 60
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $122/credit in-state; $151/credit out-of-state
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: HLC
2
Iowa Falls, Iowa
The two-year psychology degree from Ellsworth Community College begins with an introduction to the discipline where students become familiar with mental and behavioral processes, how psychologists use the principles they learned to work with patients, and the benefits of the psychological field on society. Students go on to take classes in abnormal and social psychology to gain an understanding of more advanced concepts. The program also requires general education classes in economics, history, genetics, chemistry, and public speaking. To aid students in their success in the program and beyond, the school provides a class about the college experience so they can understand how to handle all aspects of higher education, whether they're in class, dealing with financial aid, or doing academic planning for the semester.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Arts in Psychology
- Credits: 64
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $195/credit in-state; $237/credit out-of-state
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: HLC
3
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa Junior College's psychology associate degree program offers coursework taught by instructors with expertise in different areas of the field, such as developmental, clinical, sports, social, and cognitive psychology. As a result, students learn about human behavior in several contexts, so they're able to understand how people's minds and brains affect them when handling different situations. Specific classes include behavioral science statistics, human sexuality, psychological research methods, the psychology of prejudice and discrimination, and interpersonal communication. Students learn about psychology along the lifespan to gain an understanding of how people develop from birth to death and the psychology of aging and coming to terms with your mortality.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Arts in Psychology
- Credits: 60
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $46/credit in-state; $414 out-of-state
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: WASC
4
Norfolk, Nebraska
5
El Dorado, Kansas
6
Goodman, Mississippi
7
Casper, Wyoming
8
Fort Dodge, Iowa
9
Wesson, Mississippi
10
Marshalltown, Iowa
11
Waterloo, Iowa
12
Norwalk, California
13
Boston, Massachusetts
14
West Burlington, Iowa
15
Corsicana, Texas
16
Houston, Texas
17
Amarillo, Texas
18
Merced, California
19
Rochester, New York
20
Alvin, Texas
21
Gresham, Oregon
22
Imperial, California
23
Ridgecrest, California
24
Indianapolis, Indiana
25
Lansing, Michigan
26
Sanborn, New York
27
San Antonio, Texas
28
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
29
Reading, Pennsylvania
30
Newtown, Pennsylvania
31
Canandaigua, New York
32
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
33
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
How to Decrease the Cost of Your Online Psychology Degree
As the cost of higher education continues to increase each year, it’s becoming more important for students to find ways to reduce their expenses and avoid long-term loan payments. Luckily, there are several strategies that you can implement during the application process and throughout your enrollment to save money. Learn more about a few of these below.
1
Apply to scholarships, grants, and fellowships created for psychology students
Awards created specifically for psychology undergraduate students are available, and it’s possible to cover thousands of dollars in costs if you’re tenacious about applying throughout your degree program. Find these through professional organizations, nonprofit groups, governmental agencies, and even businesses. Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, provides undergraduate scholarships of $3,000 to students who meet eligibility requirements.
2
Pursue paid internships
While some internships still try to get psychology students to work without pay, it’s increasingly common for organizations to provide a wage or stipend to help cover students’ costs. Some of these require in-person work, while others may allow for remote work. Internships.com provides a searchable database of psychology internships where you can find one that meets your financial and subject-specific needs.
3
Ask about tuition reimbursement programs
If you are currently employed by a psychology-focused organization, you may have the opportunity to receive tuition reimbursement in exchange for committing to work at the company for a specific period, usually at least two years after graduation. According to current laws, employers can provide up to $5,250 annually in untaxed reimbursement funds to cover the costs of education, including tuition and fees, textbooks and supplies, and other related expenses. Take advantage of this opportunity to reduce the financial burden of pursuing higher education.
4
Check into work-study programs
For financially eligible students, many college campuses offer both in-person and virtual work-study opportunities. To determine your eligibility, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you qualify, your college will typically have a work-study department or career center that can provide information on available positions. These positions pay at least the federal minimum wage and may offer higher compensation. Some work-study opportunities may even be related to psychology.
5
Apply for public service loan forgiveness
Under the U.S. Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, students can apply to have a portion of their loans forgiven after meeting requirements. To qualify, you must work in a governmental or nonprofit role for at least 10 years after graduating. During this time, you must make 120 qualifying, on-time payments. At the end of those 10 years, you can apply to have the remainder of your Direct Loans forgiven.
What Impacts the Cost of an Online Psychology Degree?
The actual cost of an online psychology degree doesn’t boil down to just one factor; students need to consider many different options along the way to make sure they earn a top degree without breaking the bank. Consider some of these factors when making your decision.
Public vs. Private
According to the Education Data Initiative, whether you attend a public or private college can make a big difference in how much you pay. During the 2020-2021 school year, public college students paid an average of $9,580 in tuition. Private college students paid an average of $37,200 during the same year.
Transfer Credits
To save thousands of dollars, some students pursuing a degree in psychology may opt to complete their first two years at a community college. If you plan to take this route, it’s important to confirm with the university you plan to attend that the classes you take at a specific two-year college will transfer. Ensuring that your credits transfer can help you avoid the need to retake courses and the additional costs associated with it.
In-state vs. Out-of-state
While public schools may be cheaper, the actual cost depends on your residency status. While in-state students attending a public university paid an average of $9,580, those who traveled across state lines to study shelled out an average of $24,437. That said, some schools allow online students to pay the same tuition rate no matter where they live.
School-based Scholarships
In addition to generalist psychology scholarships, many psychology departments provide program-specific awards. These tend to be less competitive given the smaller applicant pool and can really make a difference in how much you spend. Indiana University Bloomington offers an example of what’s typical.
Return on Investment
While it may seem counterintuitive, sometimes it is more advantageous to pay more for your education. A school that has a good reputation, well-known alumni, and extensive networking opportunities may cost more initially, but can ultimately result in higher starting salaries and wages throughout your career. It’s important to consider the return on investment in addition to affordability when selecting a school.