Applied Psychology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their applied psychology programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 113 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for applied psychology students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Applied Psychology School
The school you choose for applied psychology can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Applied Psychology Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Applied Psychology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Boston College the best school in the country for a degree in applied psychology. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Boston College awarded about 111 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $42,384 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,361 to complete this degree.
Get the full applied psychology details for Boston College
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 100 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $71,497 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from University Of Southern California
Boston University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $51,951 in their early career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full applied psychology details for Boston University
University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in applied psychology, ranking #4. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $52,641 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
See the full applied psychology program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Students looking for a strong applied psychology program will find one at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 11 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $65,597 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete this degree.
Read more about the applied psychology program at University Of South Florida Main Campus
Northeastern University landed the #6 spot for applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Northeastern University awarded about 20 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Northeastern University earn around $58,377 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Northeastern University
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 152 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,115.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 21 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $43,495 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #9 for applied psychology this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. About 38 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Applied Psychology graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $53,209 early in their careers. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Rutgers University New Brunswick
Pace University New York landed the #10 spot for applied psychology this year. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Pace University New York awarded about 43 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $40,671. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the applied psychology program at Pace University New York
Bellevue University earned the #11 position for applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. Bellevue University awarded about 11 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $61,548 in their early career. Bellevue University graduates carry a median of $24,846 in student loans.
Read more about the applied psychology program at Bellevue University
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #12 spot for applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Long Island University C W Post Campus awarded about 40 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $68,497. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete this degree.
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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned the #13 position for applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 23%. There were roughly 88 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $79,874. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans.
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Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine landed the #14 spot for applied psychology this year. Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. There were roughly 12 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine earn around $67,635 in the first couple years of their career.
See the full applied psychology program report for Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #15 for applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 12 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent year. Applied Psychology graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $67,111 early in their careers. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans.
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Pacific University earned the #16 position for applied psychology this year. Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Forest Grove. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Pacific University awarded about 42 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Psychology graduates of Pacific University earn a median of $65,065 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,170.
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Arizona State University placed #17 among the best applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 38 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Arizona State University earn around $69,344 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,842.
See the full applied psychology program report for Arizona State University
Farmingdale State College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Farmingdale State College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 63 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Farmingdale State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Farmingdale State College earn around $28,904 in the first couple years of their career. Farmingdale State College graduates carry a median of $20,175 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied psychology from Farmingdale State College
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 55 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $60,665. Typical student debt for the program is $24,620.
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Rider University landed the #20 spot for applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. Rider University awarded about 25 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Psychology graduates of Rider University earn a median of $55,303 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete this degree.
See the full applied psychology program report for Rider University
Champlain College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Champlain College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Champlain College generally make around $39,258. Students borrow a median of $23,269 to complete this degree.
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Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #22 among the best applied psychology schools. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. About 22 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn around $46,912 in the first couple years of their career. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,307 in student loans.
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Colorado State University Global Campus landed the #23 spot for applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public university. About 19 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Global Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Colorado State University Global Campus earn around $68,936 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,361 to complete this degree.
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Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #24 for applied psychology this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. There were roughly 50 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $40,706. Students borrow a median of $38,759 to complete this degree.
Read more about the applied psychology program at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #25 position for applied psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 96 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $69,344 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,742.
Read more about the applied psychology program at Arizona State University Skysong
Rest of the Top 50 Applied Psychology Schools
These schools also placed among the best for applied psychology this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 113 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).