Best Psychology Programs in California for 2026
Discover the best colleges for psychology in California and explore salary and career outlooks for psychologists in the Golden State.
With over 500 colleges and universities in California, it can be daunting to try to narrow down your options. If you’re looking for the best colleges for psychology in California, check out our list of the best psychology programs in the Golden State. You can also find tips on what to consider when choosing a school to ensure you make the right decision for you.
Best Psychology Programs in California for 2026
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona – Best for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Pomona, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose Cal Poly Pomona: Graduates are prepared to become licensed marriage and family therapists in California.
Cal Poly Pomona's MS in psychology program enables students to seek employment immediately after graduation. Marriage and family therapy is the focus of this two-year, 60-unit curriculum, with learners exposed to topics covering sexual disorders and substance use to working with children and adolescents.
School officials emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of the university's educational approach, with faculty and students from diverse backgrounds. For students enrolled in seven credits or more, the total cost per semester is $4,882, with an additional $444 per unit charged for out-of-state students.
Other Highlights
- Hispanic-Serving Institution
- Accredited by the Western Accreditation of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Two independent study courses
Considerations
- Only one start time (fall)
- Other therapy specializations are not covered
- Part-time and working students need at least three years to graduate
60%
$ 8,872
87%
$16,680
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Students Enrolled
- 27,196
- Institution Type
- Public
California State University-Los Angeles – Most Customizable Degree
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose Cal State LA: Elective courses allow students to personalize their research-based degree.
We chose Cal State LA's MA in psychology program for its customizable curriculum, along with one-on-one faculty support. After completing 17 credits in core coursework like research, statistical models, and a thesis project, you can customize the other 12 credits in your degree with electives. The program costs $9,144 per year for full-time tuition and mandatory fees for graduate students.
During the application process, you have the opportunity to list the top three faculty members with whom you would like to do research. After enrolling in the program, a chosen faculty member advises you and assists you in degree planning and meeting your research goals.
Other Highlights
- Hispanic-Serving Institution
- Minimum GPA of 2.75
- Can apply with a bachelor’s degree in any field
Considerations
- Specifically designed to prepare graduates to be college professors
- Only one application cycle (Fall)
- Does not lead to clinical practice
51%
$ 7,176
72%
$14,304
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Students Enrolled
- 22,744
- Institution Type
- Public
California State University-Sacramento – Best Teaching Opportunities
- Sacramento, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose Sacramento State: Students have the opportunity to work as teaching associates or instructional student assistants.
We chose Sacramento State's MS in psychological research because it offers students opportunities to work in paid positions as teaching associates or instructional student assistants in undergraduate courses. The program requires 31-33 credits and costs $10,628 per year.
You can choose from several fields of research, including clinical research, to prepare for your doctoral program. From your first semester, you will have opportunities to conduct research individually or as part of a research team under the supervision of a faculty member.
Other Highlights
- Present research at conferences like the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association's Student Research Conference.
- Hispanic-Serving Institution
- Create individualized programs with the help of faculty in 11 psychology specializations
Considerations
- Does not prepare students for clinical licensure
- Undergraduate degree in psychology, 3.0 cumulative GPA preferred for admission
- Two upper-division statistics/methods courses with grades of C or better required for admission
54%
$ 7,176
81%
$16,680
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Students Enrolled
- 30,883
- Institution Type
- Public
California State University-Stanislaus – Most Flexible Start Dates
- Turlock, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose Stanislaus State: Students can choose from three start dates each year.
We chose Stanislaus State's MA in psychology because of its flexible start dates. The program features three registration periods: November, March, and May. In-state tuition and fees average about $10,000 per year.
The program requires 30 credits, including eight required credits in statistical analysis, research, and a master’s thesis. The remaining 22 credits allow you to customize your program to align with your research interests. You can choose from 4000 or 5000-level electives in areas such as learning, human development, and social psychology. At least half of the program must consist of 5000-level courses.
Other Highlights
- Average 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Ranked No. 2 by The Wall Street Journal for social mobility
- Hispanic-Serving Institution
Considerations
- $10,304 for in-state annual tuition and fees; $396 more per unit for out of state
- Requires one upper-division course in experimental psychology for admission
- Can only accept 9 transfer credits from other institutions or from work experience
70%
$ 7,176
83%
$16,680
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,724
- Institution Type
- Public
San Diego State University – Best Program for Research
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose SDSU: Students conduct lab work in five concentration areas.
We chose San Diego State University’s MA program for its focus on psychology research, which prepares students for Ph.D. programs. If you’re admitted, you’ll be assigned a faculty mentor in one of five research areas: behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, developmental, social and personality, learning and cognition, and physical and/or mental health research.
All the core classes are focused on different areas of psychology research, and the program does not offer clinical training. You’ll spend the first year of the program gaining research experience in your faculty mentor's lab and developing your thesis. The second half of the program is dedicated to completing and presenting your thesis.
Other Highlights
- No GRE requirement for admission to the MA program
- Hispanic-Serving Institution
- An “acceptable” bachelor’s degree with a 2.85 GPA required for admission
Considerations
- $10,794 tuition for full-time enrollment per academic year
- Must apply in the fall application cycle (October-December)
- Does not prepare for counseling licensure
56%
$ 7,176
91%
$16,680
- Acceptance Rate
- 36%
- Students Enrolled
- 39,373
- Institution Type
- Public
How We Identified Top Schools and Programs
Our editorial team reviewed each school and program to identify standout characteristics, prioritizing factors like flexibility, affordability, hands-on experience, and relevance of the curriculum to a career in psychology. We assigned each school a superlative category based on its strengths.
Since many psychology programs share similar course offerings and outcomes, our goal is to support your program selection process by highlighting features that matter to you most.
We verified these school and program facts in November 2025.
What to Look for in a California College for Psychology
There are many factors to consider when choosing a college for psychology in California, including:
- Program Format: Do you want to attend your program online or on campus? Are you only able to take classes in the evenings or on weekends? Are you interested in earning your degree at an accelerated pace? Does the program schedule fit your needs?
- Concentration Availability: Do you want to specialize in a specific area in psychology? Does the school offer courses tailored to your interests?
- Accreditation: Make sure your psychology school or program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or another official accreditation agency. California has 34 APA-accredited Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs.
- Cost: What is the overall cost of earning your degree? Does the school offer financial aid options?
Salary and Career Outlook for Psychology Graduates in California
Like much of the country, California is currently experiencing a shortage of mental health care professionals, with only 22% of the state’s mental health needs met. Given this shortage and the positive employment growth projections for psychologists from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as shown below, it may be a good time to become a psychologist in California.
Psychologists earn a lucrative salary, often in the six-figure range. However, many psychologists in California need a doctoral degree and a state license, which requires many hours of supervised clinical experience and multiple exams.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary | Change in Employment 2023-2033 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $95,830 | 13% |
| School Psychologists | $86,930 | 1% |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $109,840 | 6% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $94,310 | 5% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $82,140 | 7% |
Licensing Requirements in California
Clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, and school psychologists all need to earn licensure in California before they can practice.
To earn licensure in California, psychologists must earn a doctoral degree and complete specific coursework that meets state requirements. They also need 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, with 1,500 of those hours occurring after they complete their doctorate.
Aspiring psychologists in California must then pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination (CPLEE). Finally, they must apply for licensure and pass a background check.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Colleges for Psychology in California
Yes, California has good psychology programs. California is home to many nationally and internationally recognized schools, such as Stanford, the California Institute of Technology, and schools in the University of California system.
