by our College Data Analytics TeamPsychology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1829 schools to find the best for psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the best psychology schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Leading the list is Cuesta College, our #1 school for psychology. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. About 134 psychology degrees were awarded at Cuesta College in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for Cuesta College
A rank of #2 makes Saddleback College one of the top schools for psychology. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. There were roughly 186 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Saddleback College earn around $15,890 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Saddleback College
Foothill College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in psychology, ranking #3. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. About 91 psychology degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $94,152 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the psychology program at Foothill College
Evergreen Valley College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Evergreen Valley College awarded about 71 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Evergreen Valley College earn a median of $82,879 early in their careers. Evergreen Valley College graduates carry a median of $12,981 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for Evergreen Valley College
College Of The Canyons is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 219 psychology students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $7,177 in student loans. More information about a degree in psychology from College Of The Canyons
Diablo Valley College placed #6 among the best psychology schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 162 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Typical student debt for the program is $7,110. Read more about the psychology program at Diablo Valley College
Bakersfield College landed the #7 spot for psychology this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Bakersfield College graduates 50% of students within six years. About 356 psychology degrees were awarded at Bakersfield College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Bakersfield College graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Bakersfield College
Santa Ana College placed #8 among the best psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Ana. There were roughly 165 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Santa Ana College graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. More information about a degree in psychology from Santa Ana College
Moorpark College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. There were roughly 188 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Moorpark College earn around $105,599 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. Get the full psychology details for Moorpark College
Cypress College earned the #10 position for psychology this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 124 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Cypress College in the most recent data year. Get the full psychology details for Cypress College
Santa Barbara City College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 122 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. See the full psychology program report for Santa Barbara City College
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #12 for psychology this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 195 psychology students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Delta College in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for San Joaquin Delta College
De Anza College came in at #13 for psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. There were roughly 179 psychology students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. Read more about the psychology program at De Anza College
Skyline College placed #14 among the best psychology schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. There were roughly 82 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Skyline College in the most recent data year. See the full psychology program report for Skyline College
Napa Valley College came in at #15 for psychology this year. Set in the city of Napa, Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 52 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Napa Valley College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in psychology from Napa Valley College
El Camino Community College District placed #16 among the best psychology schools. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. There were roughly 217 psychology students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year. See the full psychology program report for El Camino Community College District
Pasadena City College placed #17 among the best psychology schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 297 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $24,894. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. More information about a degree in psychology from Pasadena City College
Hartnell College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Hartnell College awarded about 111 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Hartnell College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Hartnell College
Fresno City College placed #19 among the best psychology schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 168 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Fresno City College earn around $27,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,802 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for Fresno City College
Merced College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. Merced College awarded about 370 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Merced College earn around $34,441 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,849. Read more about the psychology program at Merced College
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #21 for psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 209 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $40,126 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for Northern Virginia Community College
Salt Lake Community College came in at #22 for psychology this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. There were roughly 166 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $32,619 early in their careers. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $8,432 in student loans. More information about a degree in psychology from Salt Lake Community College
Modesto Junior College landed the #23 spot for psychology this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. About 211 psychology degrees were awarded at Modesto Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Modesto Junior College earn around $25,832 in the first couple years of their career. Modesto Junior College graduates carry a median of $6,757 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Modesto Junior College
San Diego Miramar College placed #24 among the best psychology schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. There were roughly 66 psychology students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at San Diego Miramar College
College Of San Mateo landed the #25 spot for psychology this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. About 77 psychology degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at College Of San Mateo
These schools also placed among the best for psychology this year:
These schools also stood out for psychology:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #69 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN |
| #110 | Southwestern College Chula Vista | Chula Vista, CA |
| #134 | South Texas College | McAllen, TX |
| #143 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA |
These schools earned honorable mentions for psychology:
Explore the best psychology schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 1829 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.