by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Experimental Psychology involves the study of Experimental Psychology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Behavior Under Experimental Conditions And The Analysis Of Controlled Behavioral Responses. Includes Instruction In Learning Theory, Research Design And Experimental Methods, Psychological Measurement, Statistical Design And Methods, Analysis Of Cognitive And Behavioral Variables, And The Conduct Of Specialized And Large-Scale Studies. Continue reading for the essential details every experimental psychology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering experimental psychology programs.
Across the country, experimental psychology is a widely-pursued major, with 4,439 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Experimental Psychology Schools ranking analyzes these 73 schools to determine the best overall colleges for experimental psychology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of experimental psychology programs later in this article.
Programs in Experimental Psychology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations experimental psychology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a experimental psychology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a experimental psychology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several experimental psychology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,874 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 372 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 193 |
People currently working in careers related to experimental psychology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 25.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.5% |
| Master’s degree | 8.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in experimental psychology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in experimental psychology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to experimental psychology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to experimental psychology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Neuropsychologists | 186,493 | 6.5% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of experimental psychology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,814 |
| 4 years | $50,900 |
| 5 years | $59,985 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for experimental psychology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers experimental psychology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,479 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
With 73 different experimental psychology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased experimental psychology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in experimental psychology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Research and Experimental Psychology, Other | 13,996 |
| Developmental and Child Psychology | 1,820 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 1,424 |
| Social Psychology | 458 |
| Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics | 380 |
| Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology | 203 |
| Psychopharmacology | 67 |
| Personality Psychology | 17 |
| Comparative Psychology | 9 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
