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 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Granite State College earned the #1 spot for value among psychology schools in New Hampshire. Located in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,724, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $39,681. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nashua Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashua, Nashua Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,390. Students borrow a median of $10,608 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Nashua Community College generally make around $24,074. Set against $10,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Keene State College one of the best values for psychology. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $34,633. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #4 makes Great Bay Community College one of the best values for psychology. Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Portsmouth. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,639 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $48,692. That is a strong return on a $17,639 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Plymouth State University earned it the #5 place for psychology. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $37,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
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University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $38,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Colby Sawyer College earned the #7 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the rural area of New London, Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,125. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Colby Sawyer College generally make around $54,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin Pierce University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Rindge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,442. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Franklin Pierce University generally make around $31,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,194 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,947. That is a strong return on a $18,194 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Rivier College placed #10 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Nashua, Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,488. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Rivier College earn a median of $40,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rivier College admits about 83% of applicants.
New England College landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Henniker. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,474. Students borrow a median of $43,569 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,656. That is a strong return on a $43,569 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern New Hampshire University came in at #12 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,200. Students borrow a median of $34,547 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University generally make around $43,000. That is a strong return on a $34,547 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Anselm College placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,920. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,509. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.