by our College Data Analytics Team
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
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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.
Leading the list is University Of Rhode Island, our #1 best value for psychology in Rhode Island. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,880 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,414. That is a strong return on a $23,880 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #2 place for psychology. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,723. Psychology graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $33,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,723 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Brown University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,110. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Johnson And Wales University Online, which ranked #4. Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,365. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,012 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $40,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Johnson And Wales University Providence one of the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,982. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Johnson And Wales University Providence earn a median of $29,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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Salve Regina University earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. Students from in state pay about $50,100 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Salve Regina University generally make around $59,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salve Regina University admits about 68% of applicants.
Roger Williams University came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Bristol, Roger Williams University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,197 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Roger Williams University generally make around $39,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Bryant University came in at #8 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Smithfield, Bryant University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,677 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,574. Early-career psychology graduates make about $66,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Providence College landed the #9 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $63,550. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Providence College earn a median of $37,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.