Psychology.org's mission is to help learners choose the right degree path and pursue meaningful careers in psychology, counseling, and mental health. One way we do that is through reliable, up-to-date rankings of the best psychology schools and programs.
Our school ranking methodology considers key factors that help students choose the best school for their specific needs. We compile data from national databases on postsecondary schools and meticulously review it for accuracy.
When applicable, our independent third-party panel of experts reviews page content — excluding school descriptions — for accuracy.
How We Evaluate Schools and Programs
To qualify for our lists, each school must be an accredited public or private nonprofit institution.
Eligible schools are evaluated using a weighted formula that considers academic quality, affordability, school reputation, and program offerings. The four categories maintain the same overall weights across our lists, but the data points and weights within each category vary by degree level and delivery format.
The formula helps us determine which schools meet our standards and where to focus our editorial research. Unless a page explicitly states otherwise, the order in which schools appear should not be interpreted as a numerical ranking.
How We Select Superlatives
Some lists feature superlatives that highlight a school or program's standout strengths. We include these to help you better understand what sets each option apart and determine which programs best align with your needs and priorities.
After eligible schools are identified, our editorial team reviews current program and institutional information and compares factors such as affordability, career outcomes, flexible learning opportunities, and other notable strengths. We select a distinction only when it is supported by the available information and provides meaningful context for prospective learners.
Superlatives provide additional context but do not affect a school's eligibility or evaluation score.
Where Our Rankings Data Comes From
Psychology.org collects data for our rankings from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), College Scorecard, and Peterson's.
As part of the U.S. Department of Education, the NCES gathers and analyzes statistical data on education in the United States, including enrollment, tuition, and graduation rates. NCES data is updated and published annually through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The College Scorecard provides additional data on college costs and student outcomes. Psychology.org may use information such as net price, student debt, federal loan default rates, completion rates, post-enrollment earnings, and accreditation status when evaluating schools.
Peterson's, a private company, has collected higher education data for more than 50 years. By surveying thousands of colleges and universities throughout the year, Peterson's provides comprehensive, up-to-date data on topics including degree offerings, graduate outcomes, and financial aid.
Eligibility and Exclusion Criteria
Schools must provide enough data for us to evaluate them consistently. Psychology.org may exclude a school when required information is unavailable or when missing data would prevent an accurate calculation.
For example, schools that do not report average net price after financial aid are ineligible for affordability-focused lists.
Other factors that may make a school ineligible include:
A graduation rate of less than 45%
A retention rate of less than 10%
A four-year completion rate for low-income students of less than 10%
Missing data required for the applicable formula
Policies or practices focused on anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives, including Title IX exemption requests
In rare cases, Psychology.org may consider schools with graduation rates slightly below 45% when too few schools qualify for a meaningful comparison. When we adjust the standard threshold on a list, we note the change on the affected page.
How Our Evaluation Formula Works
Psychology.org evaluates eligible schools across four categories: academic quality, school reputation, affordability, and program offerings. Each category makes up the following percentage of the overall formula:
The overall category weights stay consistent across program types. However, the data points and weights within each category vary by degree level and whether the program is offered online or on-campus.
The Factors Behind Each Category
The definitions below explain the data points we use when evaluating schools. Not every factor applies to every degree level or delivery format.
Academic Quality (30% of Overall Formula)
Full-Time Retention Rate: This factor reflects the percetage of first-time, full-time students who remain enrolled after their first year of study. Higher retention rates can indicate high student satisfaction with a school or program.
Graduation Rate: This factor measures the percentage of students who complete program requirements and receive their degree. Higher graduation rates can indicate an institution's commitment to student support.
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: This factor measures the number of students compared to the number of faculty members. Lower student-to-faculty ratios can indicate smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interactions.
Affordability (20% of Overall Formula)
Average Net Price After Grants and Scholarships: This factor measures what students pay on average for their education, minus any grants or scholarships received. This figure provides key insight into the real cost of a degree and an institution's overall affordability.
Graduate Tuition: This factor considers the average graduate tuition charged by an institution.
Federal Student Loan Default Rate: This factor measures the rate at which former students default on their federal loans. Lower default rates may indicate that borrowers are better able to manage repayment.
Percentage of Undergraduate Students Awarded Federal Student Loans: This factor measures the percentage of undergraduate students receiving federal student loans. A lower percentage can indicate affordability, with fewer students requiring loans to pay for their education.
Average Federal Student Loan Amount Awarded to Undergraduate Students: This factor measures the average amount of federal loan aid awarded to undergraduate students. Lower amounts can indicate affordability, with students taking on less federal loan debt to pay for their education.
Percentage of Full-Time, First-Time Undergraduate Students Receiving Financial Aid: This factor measures the percentage of full-time, first-time undergraduate students who receive any financial aid, including federal and private loans, grants, scholarships, work-study, tuition waivers, and assistantships. When compared to the percentage of students awarded loans, this figure can provide insight into how many students receive preferred aid like grants and scholarships.
Average Grant and Scholarship Aid Awarded: This factor measures the average amount of grant and scholarship aid awarded to students. Generous grant and scholarship aid can make a school's total cost more affordable.
Median Debt Among Program Completers: This factor measures the median debt held by students who complete their programs. Lower debt levels may indicate a more affordable path to earning a degree.
School Reputation (30% of Overall Formula)
Admission Rate: This percentage measures the number of applications accepted compared to the number of applications submitted. A lower admission rate can indicate that an institution has competitive admissions and a prestigious reputation among prospective students.
Admissions Yield: Also called the enrollment rate, this percentage measures the number of accepted applicants compared to the number of new students who ultimately enroll. A higher enrollment rate can indicate that an institution is attractive to new students.
Post-Enrollment Earnings: This factor looks at the average earnings of former students six years after initial enrollment who are working and no longer enrolled. Higher earnings may indicate that an institution offers various career services, networking opportunities, or other advantages that lead to its students' financial success.
Program Offerings (20% of Overall Formula)
Online Degrees Offered: This factor measures the percentage of programs offered online at the degree level being evaluated. A higher percentage can indicate an institution's commitment to diverse learning options and flexibility.
Enrollment in Online Programs: This factor measures an institution's total online enrollment. This measurement can indicate how well an institution supports online learners in their educational journey.
Degrees Offered at the Relevant Level: This factor measures the percentage of an institution's degrees offered at the level being evaluated, such as bachelor's, master's, or doctoral programs. A higher percentage can indicate a stronger focus on that degree level.
Subfactors for Our Rankings by Program Type
The weight assigned to each subfactor depends on the degree level and whether the programs are offered online or on campus. The percentages below show how much each data point contributes within its category.