Key Information:
- University of Florida and Arizona State University offer two of the top online psychology bachelor’s degree programs.
- These best online programs provide a comprehensive curriculum covering various psychology subfields such as clinical, developmental, and social psychology.
- Graduates go on to careers in counseling, human resources, social work.
Psychology remains one of the most popular majors year after year, because graduates can use it in some many ways. If you want to get an online bachelor’s in psychology, consider one of Bachelor’s Degree Centers! top online psychology degrees!
In this article, we’ll give you the full rundown on the best online psychology degree programs, why we chose them, and what they offer.
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Online Psychology Degree Programs
Our editors first ranked online psychology degree programs in October 2020. This ranking was updated November 2023.
To rank online bachelor’s in psychology programs, Bachelor’s Degree Center editors researched accredited, legitimate institutions offering fully online and hybrid options. From there, we ranked programs according to cost, student reviews, institution reputation, and salary potential.
1. University of Florida
The University of Florida offers a BA in Psychology that one of the Sunshine State’s best online psychology degree programs. The University of Florida’s online undergraduate degree in psychology requires the completion of a minimum of 30 credits from the psychology curriculum. Students complete coursework in:
- comparative psychology
- sensory processes
- developmental changes
- cognitive psychology
- social psychology
- the psychology of personality
- abnormal psychology
to name a few.
The University of Florida (UFlorida) is an institution of higher education established in 1853 under the Land Grant College Act. Additionally, UF is a sea-grant and space-grant state school that serves more than 56,400 students.
What We Like: The University of Florida has sixteen colleges/schools that offer hundreds of degree programs.
Degree: BA in Psychology
University of Florida BA in Psychology
2. Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers two of Arizona’s best online psychology degree programs with its Bachelor of Science (BS) degree or its Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in Psychology. Students enrolled in Arizona State University take classes that include an intro to statistics, research methods, and cultural diversity in the US, among others. Arizona State University’s undergraduate degree in psychology offers two tracks – the social & developmental track or the neuroscience track.
ASU has one of the largest student bodies in the United States, with almost 90,000 students attending classes online and on-campus. Arizona State was established in 1885 and offers more than 700 undergraduate and graduate degree options.
What We Like: Arizona State University began prior to Arizona receiving statehood, making it one of the state’s oldest schools.
Degree: BA or BS in Psychology
Arizona State University BA or BS in Psychology
3. University of Houston
The University of Houston offers a BS in Psychology ranked among the best online psychology degree programs in the country. The University of Houston’s baccalaureate degree in psychology requires degree candidates to finish 120 semester credits, of which 30 credits must be earned as a University of Houston student. Students must maintain a minimum GOA of 2.0 to graduate. Students explore topics that include human growth over the lifespan, emotional growth, cognitive development, as well as comparing the impact of the debate nature vs. nurture.
The University of Houston is a research institution of higher education that was founded in 1927. The University of Houston’s student enrollment is considered to be the third-largest in the Lone Star state.
What We Like: The University of Houston is a comprehensive university that offers nearly 300 academic degree options from its fourteen colleges/schools.
Degree: BS in Psychology
University of Houston BS in Psychology
4. Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus offers a variety of some of the best online psychology degree programs according to US News and World Report. Their psychology degree options include a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in psychology that are available entirely online. These undergraduate degrees in psychology requires the completion of 123 semester credits.
Additionally, PS World Campus offers a BS in Organizational Leadership and Human Development & Family Studies. Students graduate from this degree program and enter the job market in the fields of corrections, care for the elderly, or social work, among others.
Penn State World Campus (PS World Campus) is the distance learning division of Penn State University. PS World Campus was founded in 1998 and now serves more than 14,300 students.
What We Like: Penn State University boasts that it has been offering distance learning options since 1892.
Degree: several offerings
Penn State World Campus Psychology
5. University of Michigan-Dearborn
The University of Michigan offers a three year psychology bachelor’s degree program that is recognized among Michigan’s best online psychology degree programs. Students enrolled in the University of Michigan’s bachelor’s in psychology degree program complete classes and lab work in areas like:
- developmental psychology
- motivation and behavior
- health psychology
- experimental psychology
- social psychology
- physiological psychology
UM-Dearborn also offers an honors baccalaureate degree program in psychology for those students who show an interest and academic aptitude.
The University of Michigan (UM-Dearborn) is a public institution of higher learning that was established in 1959. UM-Dearborn is considered a regional campus of the state’s university system that serves nearly 9,600 students.
What We Like: The University of Michigan at Dearborn was established initially with the help of Ford Motor Company’s training director.
Degree: Psychology Bachelor’s
University of Michigan Psychology Bachelor’s
6. Oregon State University Ecampus
Oregon State University offers two of Oregon’s best online psychology degree programs with its Bachelor of Science (BS) degree or its Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in Psychology. Each of these degree programs offers four start dates each calendar year.
Degree candidates are required to complete 180 semester credits to meet this undergraduate degree in psychology’s program requirements. Oregon State University is a recognized military-friendly college. Classes for this degree in social psychology, abnormal psychology, consciousness, health psychology, and human lifespan development, to name a few.
Oregon State University (OSU) was established under the Morrill Land Act in 1868. This sea-grant, space-grant, and sun-grant higher learning institution serves more than 31,500 students, the state’s largest higher learning institution.
What We Like: Since its inception, Oregon State University has graduated nearly one-quarter of one-million students.
Degree: BA or BS
Oregon State University Psychology BA or BS
7. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida offers a BS in Psychology considered among the best online psychology degree programs in the state of Florida. Students attending classes at the University of Central Florida’s undergraduate degree in psychology are required to complete 120 semester credits that are available entirely 100% online.
Students graduate from Central Florida’s baccalaureate degree program to find rewarding careers as administrators, career counselors, researchers, mental health providers, or psychiatric technicians, to name a few.
The University of Central Florida (Central FL) is a research institution of higher education that was established in 1963. The university’s campus is home to almost 70,000 students and is one of the largest in the state.
What We Like: The school was developed to train personnel for the space coast and Kennedy Space Center.
Degree: Psychology BS
University of Central Florida BS in Psychology
8. Utah State University
Utah State University offers two of Utah’s best online psychology degree programs with its Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Psychology. Each of these undergraduate degree programs can be completed entirely online and have two start dates each calendar year. A psychology major at Utah State University must complete 48 semester credits from the psychology curriculum to meet program requirements.
Utah State University (Utah State) is a space-grant and land-grant higher learning institution that was established in 1888. The university’s campus in Logan serves more than 27,200 students vying for academic degrees offered by USU.
What We Like: Utah State University holds the distinction of having more out-of-state students than any other higher learning institution in the state of Utah.
Degree: BS or BA
Utah State University Psychology BS or BA
9. Central Washington University
Central Washington University offers a BA in Psychology that is considered among the best online psychology degree programs in the state of Washington.
There are two academic tracks for this undergraduate psychology degree – a 60 major credit option for those degree candidates who want to continue with their education and training in psychology and a 45 major credit option for those students who want to combine the degree with a related field. Students enrolled in any of Central Washington University’s undergraduate degree in psychology are required to complete 180 quarter units.
Central Washington University (CWU) is a public institution of higher education that was founded in 1891. The university’s campus in Ellensburg is home to more than 12,100 students.
What We Like: Central Washington University is a recognized Hispanic-Serving institution as its student enrollment of students with a Hispanic heritage is approximately 15 percent.
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Central Washington University BA in Psychology
10. DePaul University
DePaul University offers a BA in Psychology that one of the state of Illinois’ best online psychology degree programs. This online degree in psychology from DePaul University can be completed as a standard track or the human development track. Classes for this degree include:
- adolescent psychology
- child psychology
- theories of learning
- statistics
- human sexuality
- quantitative reasoning
- technological literacy
DePaul University also offers a few dual degree programs that offer a BA and MA combo. It is noted that DePaul offers degree candidates study abroad and research opportunities.
DePaul University (DePaul) is a private Catholic higher learning institution that was founded in 1907. The school maintains dual campuses in Chicago that serve more than 22,200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
What We Like: DePaul University was originally established as St Vincent’s College.
Degree: BA in Psychology
DePaul University BA in Psychology
11. University of Memphis
The University of Memphis offers a BA in Psychology that is recognized as one of Tennessee’s best online psychology degree programs. This undergraduate degree in psychology offered by the University of Memphis requires degree candidates to complete 120 semester credits to meet program requirements.
This baccalaureate degree in psychology can be completed entirely online, on-campus, or a combination of both delivery methods. Students explore psychology from a number of perspectives, which hones the student’s critical reasoning and communication skills.
The University of Memphis was established as a normal school in 1912. This research higher learning institution is home to more than 21,900 students on its campus only a few miles outside of downtown Memphis.
What We Like: The University of Memphis’s campus was built to resemble the campus of the University of Virginia.
Degree: BA in Psychology
University of Memphis BA in Psychology
12. Saint Xavier University (Chicago, IL)
Saint Xavier University offers two of Chicago’s best online psychology degree programs with its Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in Psychology. Psychology majors must complete a minimum of 37 semester units with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Students enrolled in Saint Xavier University’s undergraduate psychology degree program complete internships to meet program requirements. Students explore the ethical and social responsibilities of psychology in the diverse world of global cultures. Classes include research methods, psych science, abnormal psychology, lifespan development, and child psychology, to name a few.
Saint Xavier University (SXU) is a private institution of higher learning that was established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846 as an all-women’s school. The original campus of Saint Xavier University was destroyed in the great Chicago fire in the 1870s.
What We Like: This Roman Catholic university serves more than 3,600 students.
Degree: BA or BS in Psychology
Saint Xavier University BA or BS in Psychology
13. Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University offers two of the best online psychology degree programs with its Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in Psychology available in Kansas.
Degree candidates enrolled in one of Fort Hays State University’s baccalaureate degrees in psychology must complete 124 semester credits to meet program requirements. Classes for the psychology major include cognitive psychology, child and development psychology, applied statistics, general psychology, and abnormal psychology, to name a few.
Fort Hays State University is a public higher learning institution that was established in 1902. Fort Hays State University is the 3rd largest of the member schools governed by the regent board. More than 15,500 students attend classes offered by Fort Hays State University.
What We Like: Fort Hays State University began as a teacher’s school located within a military outpost on the western frontier.
Degree: BA or BS in Psychology
Fort Hays State University BA or BS in Psychology
14. Brescia University
Brescia University offers a BS in Psychology considered among the best online psychology degree programs in the commonwealth of Kentucky. Students enrolled in Brescia University’s undergraduate degree in psychology complete coursework in cognitive psychology, introduction to counseling, biopsychology, abnormal psychology, personality theory, research methods, the history & systems of psychology, and developmental psychology, to name a few.
Students graduate from Brescia’s online psychology degree program and enter the workforce as career counselors, rehabilitation specialists, public relations technicians, mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists, or case managers, among others.
Brescia University is a Catholic higher learning institution that was established in 1925 as an all-women’s junior college. The school’s campus in Owensboro is home to nearly 1,300 undergraduate and graduate students.
What We Like: The school was founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph.
Degree: BS in Psychology
Brescia University BS in Psychology
15. McKendree University
McKendree University offers a bachelor’s degree in psychology that is recognized among the state’s best online psychology degree programs. Classes included in McKendree University’s baccalaureate degree in psychology include:
- applied behavior analysis
- sport psychology
- human sexuality
- abnormal psychology
- military psychology
Students enter the workforce after earning this psychology degree to find rewarding careers in the field of mental health, criminal justice, eldercare, substance abuse, crisis centers, or social work agencies, to name a few.
McKendree University (McK) is a private institution of higher learning that was founded in 1828 by the Methodist Church. The university’s campus covers more than 200 suburban acres and serves more than 2,300 students.
What We Like: McKendree University holds the distinction of being the oldest of all higher learning institutions in the state of Illinois.
Degree: Psychology Bachelor’s
McKendree University Psychology Bachelor’s
Why Should I Get My Psychology Degree Online?
Although there are a lot of educational and career opportunities for a degree in psychology from a traditional university, the Internet offers many more options and has proven to be a valuable investment for many.
There are a lot of online bachelor’s in psychology degree programs, which are advantageous in several ways. For one, they are much more flexible and convenient than sitting in a traditional classroom. In many cases, students have an option of choosing a fast track or accelerated course for their bachelor’s in psychology online degree.
A psychology major that can be done fully online because students can watch lectures through video clips and instructors can do lectures through zoom conferencing or other similar technology. Students can read research materials online and submit their papers to the instructor through email.
Additionally, a psychology degree online gives graduates the opportunity to land a high-paying job. An online bachelor of psychology degree caters to potential students who are seeking discounted college tuition rates as well as flexible schedules, allowing them to work while they earn a degree.
Therefore, taking a psychology degree online gives students a platform to help manage their schedule and timing while working towards an educational goal. With an online bachelors of psychology degree, there are so many career options for graduates.
How Do I Choose an Online Psychology Degree Program?
The first thing to consider when choosing an online psychology degree program is its delivery format. In comparison to the traditional delivery format, taking classes online offers specific benefits that may not include a face to face interaction with fellow students and instructors, but it gives students control over their own schedules.
Secondly consider whether the program has accreditation and then what type of accreditation. Hiring companies put a lot of credence and emphasis on accreditation. S as a student, it is important to choose an accredited program. Students should consider either an APA accredited online programs or online psychology degree accredited by APA.
When choosing an online psychology degree program, students should be aware of the importance of accreditation. Accreditation sets a specific educational standard, highly respected in every industry and company. In a lot of cases, an online college degree has a similar curriculum as a traditional college program. The accreditation is the same.
There are two main forms of accreditation; namely regional and national. National accreditation is not as prestigious or as popular as regional accreditation. It is important to know this because your choice should be based on an accredited program. Most universities offer regional accreditation, which gives students the ease of transferring their credits to another accredited institution. In addition, national accreditation is more focused on vocational, trade and career education, which is a far cry from a psychology degree.
To choose an online psychology degree accredited by APA or an APA-accredited online programs, it is also vital to know whether it is a programmatic accreditation or not. That means it should be a specialized program with the best and most superior instructors and curriculums.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Psychology?
You may be asking what can I do with a bachelor’s in psychology? First, it is imperative to note that there is a high demand for psychology graduates in the workforce and this demand is expected to increase in excess of 20% or more every year. In fact, so many employees are in desperate need of trained and educated psychologists. With a psychology degree, graduates will be able to fill those openings.
Even without any experience, as a graduate, there are many bachelor’s in psychology entry-level jobs to apply for. There are several things you can do with a degree in psychology. Another essential part of selecting a psychology degree online is to know which career to pursue, since psychology has different concentrations and specialties. So, is the question “BA in psychology — now what?”
Psychology careers depend on the graduate’s educational level. It generally involves a career in healthcare and working directly with psychology patients.
Clinical psychology is one of the most popular fields where graduates would work in clinics, hospitals, group practices or counseling centers. In this field, psychologists make an assessment and provide treatment for behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders.
Counseling psychology uses several techniques, including interviews, advice, and testing patients, and showing them how to handle everyday problems.
Want to know more about what can I do with a bachelor’s in psychology? These are some of the things you can do with a degree in psychology. You can use your degree to work in social psychology, forensic psychology, educational psychology, and developmental psychology.
sources:
- student satisfaction — Niche score
- salary potential — Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data
- cost — current IPEDS data
Related Rankings:
25 Best Bachelor’s in Psychology
