by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 109 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bunker Hill Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools in the New England Region. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,256. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #2 place for general psychology. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Capital Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Worcester State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,394 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $38,169. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Southern Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $33,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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Rhode Island College landed the #6 spot for general psychology value this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,723 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $33,694. That is a strong return on a $22,723 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $33,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Massasoit Community College came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $10,833 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $42,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #9 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $46,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Charter Oak State College came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,779. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $45,428. That is a strong return on a $22,779 median debt.
Granite State College earned the #11 position for value in general psychology this year. Granite State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,724, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Granite State College generally make around $39,681. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College placed #12 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $16,165 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College earn a median of $43,896 early in their careers. Set against $16,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holyoke Community College placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $43,423. Set against $9,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fitchburg State University came in at #14 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $37,545. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Bay Path College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $38,960. That is a strong return on a $29,162 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University landed the #16 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $35,718. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Framingham State University placed #17 among the best values for general psychology. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,810 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $34,353 early in their careers. Set against $26,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #18 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,004 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $38,151. That is a strong return on a $26,004 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Salem State University placed #19 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,435 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $36,492. Set against $26,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #20 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,925. General Psychology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $52,068 early in their careers. Set against $25,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Westfield State University came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,179. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #22 spot for general psychology value this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,880 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $37,414. That is a strong return on a $23,880 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Cape Cod Community College earned the #23 position for value in general psychology this year. Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of West Barnstable. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,000, with out-of-state students paying around $10,944. Students borrow a median of $14,669 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $47,939. That is a strong return on a $14,669 median debt.
University Of Maine landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,909. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $34,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Farmington ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,308, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,358. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,011. That is a strong return on a $25,358 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 109 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 75 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.