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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Psychology Schools in North Carolina

27 Colleges in the United States
3,992 Psychology Degrees Awarded
$39,992 Avg Early-Career Salary

Psychology 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.

College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best psychology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Psychology in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall psychology education in North Carolina.

Top Schools in Psychology

1
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in psychology. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 133 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $34,823. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in psychology from Wake Forest University

2
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 142 psychology degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,359. Students borrow a median of $12,152 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Duke University

3
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at Davidson College

4

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 363 psychology degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $61,772 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,373. Get the full psychology details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

5

Elon University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Elon University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 92 psychology degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $36,668. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full psychology details for Elon University

6
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University earned the #6 position for psychology this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. High Point University awarded about 49 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $113,352 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Read more about the psychology program at High Point University

7

East Carolina University landed the #7 spot for psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 330 psychology degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $55,796 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,774 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for East Carolina University

8

Appalachian State University landed the #8 spot for psychology this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 401 psychology degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Appalachian State University earn around $67,999 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,444 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in psychology from Appalachian State University

9

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #9 among the best psychology schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 323 psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $37,519 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in psychology from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

10

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #10 among the best psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 447 psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $30,359 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the psychology program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

11

Western Carolina University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. This large public university is located in the town of Cullowhee. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 173 psychology degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $53,235 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for Western Carolina University

12

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #12 among the best psychology schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. About 56% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 246 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $28,485 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,105. Get the full psychology details for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

13

University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #13 among the best psychology schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Asheville awarded about 101 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $24,666 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,055. See the full psychology program report for University Of North Carolina At Asheville

14
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC

Pfeiffer University landed the #14 spot for psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Pfeiffer University graduates 35% of students within six years. About 14 psychology degrees were awarded at Pfeiffer University in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $54,891 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,375. Get the full psychology details for Pfeiffer University

15
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College placed #15 among the best psychology schools. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 58 psychology degrees were awarded at Meredith College in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Meredith College earn around $28,501 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full psychology details for Meredith College

16
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University placed #16 among the best psychology schools. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. Gardner Webb University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Gardner Webb University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $34,491 early in their careers. Gardner Webb University graduates carry a median of $29,145 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for Gardner Webb University

17
Barton College crest
Barton College
Wilson, NC

Barton College placed #17 among the best psychology schools. Barton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilson. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Barton College awarded about 11 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Barton College earn around $43,301 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for Barton College

18
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 psychology students who graduated with this degree at Wingate University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $26,988 early in their careers. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Get the full psychology details for Wingate University

19
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC

Mount Olive College earned the #19 position for psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 psychology degrees were awarded at Mount Olive College in the most recent year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Mount Olive College earn around $45,131 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,644 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in psychology from Mount Olive College

20

North Carolina A And T State University placed #20 among the best psychology schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 185 psychology students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent data year. Psychology graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $27,653 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the psychology program at North Carolina A And T State University

21

North Carolina Wesleyan College landed the #21 spot for psychology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rocky Mount. North Carolina Wesleyan College graduates 42% of students within six years. About 26 psychology degrees were awarded at North Carolina Wesleyan College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from North Carolina Wesleyan College generally make around $30,570. Students borrow a median of $30,830 to complete this degree. See the full psychology program report for North Carolina Wesleyan College

22

North Carolina Central University came in at #22 for psychology this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina Central University awarded about 103 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $33,897 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,727. More information about a degree in psychology from North Carolina Central University

23
Mars Hill College crest
Mars Hill College
Mars Hill, NC

Mars Hill College landed the #23 spot for psychology this year. Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mars Hill. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mars Hill College awarded about 18 psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their psychology degree from Mars Hill College earn around $43,031 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full psychology program report for Mars Hill College

24

Belmont Abbey College landed the #24 spot for psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Belmont, Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Belmont Abbey College graduates 47% of students within six years. About 21 psychology degrees were awarded at Belmont Abbey College in the most recent year. Psychology graduates of Belmont Abbey College earn a median of $40,322 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full psychology program report for Belmont Abbey College

25
Methodist University crest
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC

Methodist University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best psychology schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fayetteville. Methodist University graduates 43% of students within six years. About 18 psychology degrees were awarded at Methodist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the psychology program make about $56,375 in their early career. Methodist University graduates carry a median of $27,604 in student loans. See the full psychology program report for Methodist University

Rest of the Top 39 Psychology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychology ranking:

26
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC
27
28
29
30
31
Warren Wilson College crest
Warren Wilson College
Swannanoa, NC
32
Peace College crest
Peace College
Raleigh, NC
33
Montreat College crest
Montreat College
Montreat, NC
34
Chowan University crest
Chowan University
Murfreesboro, NC
35
36
Guilford College crest
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC
37
38
39

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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