Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 802 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: Checking offer "Applied Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Applied Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Clinical Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Clinical Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Psychology" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Psychology" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Psychology" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Psychology" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 12
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 8 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 8
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Best Schools for Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology in the United States
Below are the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 113 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $71,497. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at University Of Southern California
California State University Long Beach came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Long Beach awarded about 54 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $81,000 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans.
Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at California State University Long Beach
George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 195 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $60,240 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at George Mason University
Santa Clara University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 122 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from Santa Clara University earn around $65,541 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.
Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Santa Clara University
A rank of #5 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 16 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $77,997 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Vanderbilt University
Simmons College came in at #6 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 133 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Simmons College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $68,173. Students borrow a median of $26,740 to complete this degree.
See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Simmons College
University Of San Francisco came in at #7 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of San Francisco awarded about 190 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,358. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935.
Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for University Of San Francisco
San Jose State University placed #8 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 15 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for San Jose State University
Tufts University placed #9 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 61 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $61,554 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Tufts University
Saint Josephs University landed the #10 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 39 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $65,421. Typical student debt for the program is $26,426.
Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Saint Josephs University
Saint Marys College Of California earned the #11 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 42 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $59,760 in their early career. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans.
More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Saint Marys College Of California
George Washington University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $58,541 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans.
See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for George Washington University
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #13 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 170 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $60,503. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031.
Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Texas A And M University College Station
Auburn University landed the #14 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree.
See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Auburn University
Chapman University came in at #15 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chapman University awarded about 26 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $90,639. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree.
See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Chapman University
Boston University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 53 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $51,951. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Boston University
Hofstra University earned the #17 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hempstead. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Hofstra University awarded about 58 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $63,180 early in their careers. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans.
Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Hofstra University
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #18 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 73 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $65,597 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,829.
See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 138 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $52,641 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University Of Pennsylvania
Northeastern University came in at #20 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Northeastern University awarded about 69 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $59,352 in their early career. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans.
Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Northeastern University
College Of William And Mary placed #21 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935.
See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for College Of William And Mary
Cuny Queens College landed the #22 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Queens College awarded about 57 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $68,068 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Cuny Queens College
Loyola Marymount University landed the #23 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 63 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $84,853 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Loyola Marymount University
San Diego State University came in at #24 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 28 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $84,055 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans.
More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from San Diego State University
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates 72% of students within six years. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College awarded about 56 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $73,106 in their early career. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans.
Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
Rest of the Top 50 Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
These schools also placed among the best for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 802 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).