Psychology
Quick Facts: Psychology Training
Where it's offered
Psychology programs are offered at 36 schools across 14 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $27,272/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship pathway related to Psychology — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 36 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 38/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Psychology Graduates Do
Your understanding of human behavior opens doors to diverse fields. You might begin as a social science research assistant, using statistical software to analyze survey data and prepare reports for a research team. With advanced education, you could become a clinical psychologist, spending your days in a private office providing one-on-one therapy to help clients navigate life’s challenges. Another common path is management, where you’ll use your insights to lead teams, mediate conflicts, and motivate employees to meet project goals.
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Career progression often involves specialization and increased autonomy. An entry-level research role can lead to a senior analyst position, while a licensed psychologist might open a private practice, significantly increasing their earnings. Demand is especially high for clinical and counseling roles, which are growing quickly. While AI can help analyze data sets or manage schedules, it cannot replicate the empathy and nuanced judgment required for therapy or effective leadership, leaving the core of your work distinctly human.
Related programs worth comparing: Criminology, Sociology, and Clinical & Counseling Psychology.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship occupation related to Psychology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer
RAPIDS 2073CB |
Competency | Competency | $100K – $136,550 – $179K | 4.5% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Psychology Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Psychology is offered at 36 schools across 14 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Psychology Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Psychology programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 36 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merced College Merced, CA |
67 61–69 |
| 2 | San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CA |
62 54–64 |
| 3 | Fresno City College Fresno, CA |
61 54–64 |
| 4 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA |
61 53–63 |
| 5 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA |
61 53–63 |
| 6 | College of the Desert Palm Desert, CA |
59 53–61 |
| 7 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX |
58 51–61 |
| 8 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM |
58 49–60 |
| 9 | Lemoore College Lemoore, CA |
58 51–60 |
| 10 | Bunker Hill Community College Boston, MA |
56 50–59 |
| 11 | College of the Sequoias Visalia, CA |
55 49–57 |
| 12 | Rockland Community College Suffern, NY |
54 50–56 |
| 13 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UT |
54 49–56 |
| 14 | Navarro College Corsicana, TX |
54 45–57 |
| 15 | Amarillo College Amarillo, TX |
54 47–56 |
| 16 | University of Cincinnati-Clermont College Batavia, OH |
53 49–55 |
| 17 | University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College Blue Ash, OH |
53 48–55 |
| 18 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CA |
53 44–56 |
| 19 | Bucks County Community College Newtown, PA |
52 46–54 |
| 20 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH |
52 48–54 |
Highest Earning Psychology Programs
Schools where Psychology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rockland Community College | $38,571/yr | 54 |
| University of Cincinnati-Clermont College | $38,019/yr | 53 |
| University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College | $38,019/yr | 53 |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | $38,019/yr | 49 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | $37,256/yr | 56 |
| Merced College | $34,441/yr | 67 |
| Salt Lake Community College | $32,619/yr | 54 |
| Bucks County Community College | $31,905/yr | 52 |
| Davidson College | $31,401/yr | 43 |
| Missouri State University-Springfield | $30,134/yr | 49 |
Best ROI for Psychology
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Psychology.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Mesa College | 181.7x | $26,229/yr | 62 |
| Pasadena City College | 173.8x | $24,894/yr | 61 |
| Modesto Junior College | 147.7x | $25,832/yr | 61 |
| Merced College | 133.3x | $34,441/yr | 67 |
| Fresno City College | 128.8x | $27,421/yr | 61 |
| College of the Desert | 114.2x | $25,792/yr | 59 |
| Mt San Antonio College | 111.5x | $16,894/yr | 53 |
| Lemoore College | 110.9x | $24,719/yr | 58 |
| Central New Mexico Community College | 93.2x | $25,675/yr | 58 |
| College of the Sequoias | 81.5x | $23,008/yr | 55 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Psychology degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.