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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Applied Psychology Master’s Degree Schools

17 Colleges in the United States
1,711 Applied Psychology Degrees Awarded
$56,411 Avg Early-Career Salary

Applied Psychology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

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.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Applied Psychology in the United States

Below are the best applied psychology schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Applied Psychology

1

Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for applied psychology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 100 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from University Of Southern California earn around $71,497 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Read more about the applied psychology program at University Of Southern California

2
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 11 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,951. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the applied psychology program at Boston University

3

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. About 11 applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $65,597 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,829. More information about a degree in applied psychology from University Of South Florida Main Campus

4
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for a strong applied psychology program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 50 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $52,641 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. See the full applied psychology program report for University Of Pennsylvania

5

A rank of #5 makes Northeastern University one of the top schools for applied psychology. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 20 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $59,352 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611. Get the full applied psychology details for Northeastern University

6

Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Long Island University C W Post Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. About 40 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Long Island University C W Post Campus in the most recent year. Applied Psychology graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $68,497 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete this degree. Get the full applied psychology details for Long Island University C W Post Campus

7

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #7 for applied psychology this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 38 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Psychology graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $53,209 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete this degree. Get the full applied psychology details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

8
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University came in at #8 for applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. About 11 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Bellevue University in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $61,548 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,846. Read more about the applied psychology program at Bellevue University

9

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 23%. About 75 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $79,874 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,787 to complete this degree. Get the full applied psychology details for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

10

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #10 spot for applied psychology this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. About 12 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $55,465. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in applied psychology from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

11

Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine earned the #11 position 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. About 12 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine in the most recent year. Applied Psychology graduates of Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine earn a median of $67,635 early in their careers. Get the full applied psychology details for Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

12
Pacific University crest
Pacific University
Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University placed #12 among the best applied psychology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Forest Grove. Pacific University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Pacific University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Pacific University generally make around $48,556. Pacific University graduates carry a median of $26,170 in student loans. Get the full applied psychology details for Pacific University

13

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 20 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $43,495 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in applied psychology from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

14

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach came in at #14 for applied psychology this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach graduates 66% of students within six years. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach awarded about 23 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $79,874 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,620 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in applied psychology from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

15

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 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. There were roughly 16 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. Typical student debt for the program is $26,307. Read more about the applied psychology program at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

16

Colorado State University Global Campus came in at #16 for applied psychology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Denver. About 19 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Global Campus in the most recent year. Applied Psychology graduates of Colorado State University Global Campus earn a median of $68,936 early in their careers. Colorado State University Global Campus graduates carry a median of $31,361 in student loans. More information about a degree in applied psychology from Colorado State University Global Campus

17

Arizona State University landed the #17 spot for applied psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 38 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,202. Typical student debt for the program is $21,842. Get the full applied psychology details for Arizona State University

18
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University landed the #18 spot for applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Rider University awarded about 25 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $55,303 in their early career. Rider University graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Get the full applied psychology details for Rider University

19
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Biola University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Biola University earn around $83,525 in the first couple years of their career. Biola University graduates carry a median of $27,568 in student loans. Get the full applied psychology details for Biola University

20
Touro University Worldwide crest
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA

Touro University Worldwide placed #20 among the best applied psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 29%. About 32 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Touro University Worldwide in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Touro University Worldwide generally make around $61,331. Students borrow a median of $32,289 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in applied psychology from Touro University Worldwide

21

Arizona State University Skysong landed the #21 spot for applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. About 28 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Applied Psychology graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $49,202 early in their careers. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. Get the full applied psychology details for Arizona State University Skysong

22
Regis University crest
Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University placed #22 among the best applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Regis University awarded about 10 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Applied Psychology graduates of Regis University earn a median of $49,365 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,773. Get the full applied psychology details for Regis University

23

California Institute Of Integral Studies earned the #23 position for applied psychology this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, California Institute Of Integral Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 291 applied psychology degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Integral Studies in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from California Institute Of Integral Studies generally make around $44,236. Students borrow a median of $24,177 to complete this degree. Get the full applied psychology details for California Institute Of Integral Studies

24

University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best applied psychology schools. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 12 applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied psychology program make about $58,265 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in applied psychology from University Of St Thomas Texas

25

Fielding Graduate University earned the #25 position for applied psychology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Barbara. About 17 applied psychology degrees were awarded at Fielding Graduate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied psychology degree from Fielding Graduate University earn around $59,510 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full applied psychology details for Fielding Graduate University

Rest of the Top 35 Applied Psychology Schools

These schools also placed among the best for applied psychology this year:

26
Albright College crest
Albright College
Reading, PA
27
28
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC
29
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
30
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
31
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
32
33
34
35
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Other Applied Psychology Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Applied Psychology rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Applied Psychology
Associate's Degrees in Applied Psychology
Bachelor's Degrees in Applied Psychology
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View All Applied Psychology Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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