by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat Kennebec Valley Community College this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,165 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $43,896. Set against $16,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $33,621. Set against $20,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maine At Presque Isle one of the best values for psychology. University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Presque Isle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,434. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,148. That is a strong return on a $23,434 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Farmington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,308, while out-of-state students pay about $23,878. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,358. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,011. That is a strong return on a $25,358 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $26,909 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $24,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,909 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
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Bowdoin College came in at #6 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. That is a strong return on a $20,658 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Thomas College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,824 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,063. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Colby College came in at #8 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,016. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $40,842. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
Husson University placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,304. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Husson University earn a median of $35,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Bates College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Bates College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lewiston. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bates College generally make around $47,376. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bates College admits about 13% of applicants.
University Of New England ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,210. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $34,791. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of New England admits about 92% of applicants.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.