Top Psychology Degrees Online in 2025
Psychology is one of the most popular college majors, and for good reason. This versatile degree can lead to careers in therapy and counseling, while also equipping you with skills highly valued in fields such as marketing, human resources, and career counseling.
Online psychology degrees offer increased flexibility, and the best programs balance cost, accreditation, specializations, support, and reputation. This guide explains what to expect from online psychology programs, including degree requirements, costs, and potential career paths.
10 Best Online Schools for Psychology Bachelor’s Programs
How We Chose These Schools
At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability, so every type of student can find the best fit for them.
This list has been updated for 2025. Learn more about how our formula works on our ranking methodology page.
Why Get an Online Psychology Degree?
Earning a psychology degree online offers several significant benefits, including the flexibility to learn from anywhere on your own schedule. Plus, online psychology degrees cost less, on average, than traditional psychology degrees. Key benefits of earning a psychology degree online include:
- Flexibility: With asynchronous delivery, you can study on your schedule from anywhere you can access the internet.
- Affordability: Save money on tuition with more affordable online programs that avoid campus fees and commuting expenses.
- Work-School Balance: Online programs usually allow you to more easily balance school and full-time employment.
- Support Services: The best online psychology programs often provide robust support services, like academic advising and tutoring, to help you stay on track.
- Graduate Preparation: A bachelor’s in psychology prepares you for graduate school and, ultimately, a licensed career as a therapist or psychologist.
Choosing an Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Program: 4 Key Factors
The best online schools for psychology offer academic advising, online tutoring, and various student support services. When researching online schools, consider factors like a school’s reputation, cost, and available specializations to find the right online program for your needs.
For example, if you’re planning to earn a graduate psychology degree, prioritize programs with a strong reputation for graduate placements.
-
Cost
Online programs offered at public schools with in-state tuition rates typically offer the most affordable options. However, many out-of-state public schools offer in-state or flat-rate tuition for online learners. Transfer credits can also save you time and money on your online psychology degree, especially if you attend community college.
-
Specializations and Degree Outcomes
While specializations are far more prevalent at the graduate level, some psychology bachelor’s degrees allow you to focus your coursework in a specific area. If you have a specialization in mind, research each program’s courses and prioritize schools with options that appeal to your personal and professional interests.
Common psychology concentrations include mental health psychology, social psychology, and school psychology. Many careers in these fields require a graduate degree. After completing an undergraduate psychology program, many graduates pursue master’s-level psychology programs to open up more career opportunities.
-
Accreditation
Accreditation matters for online psychology degrees. Without it, you may not receive financial aid, transfer credits to other accredited schools, or meet certain licensing requirements. Many graduate programs only accept degrees from institutionally accredited schools.
Schools earn accreditation through voluntary review by approved agencies. These accreditors, such as the Higher Learning Commission, check faculty, graduation requirements, and student outcomes, among other criteria. While bachelor’s and master’s-level psychology programs are not individually accredited, the American Psychological Association accredits doctoral programs in the United States.
-
Dual Degree and Pathway Options
Most psychology careers require an advanced degree, and undergraduate psychology programs help you meet the prerequisites for a master’s degree program.
If you know you want to pursue graduate study, consider 4+1 accelerated programs or dual degree options to save time and money, which allow you to earn degrees more quickly. Schools offering these options can make your path to a career in psychology more efficient.
Reality Check: Are online degrees really cheaper?
In many cases, yes. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition for an online bachelor’s degree is $11,698 compared to $16,929 for a traditional, on-campus bachelor’s degree.
What to Expect from an Online Psychology Program
A bachelor’s in psychology provides a solid overview of human and animal behavior, focusing on the latest research and theories. As a psychology major, you can develop strong scientific and statistical skills to help you evaluate data, claims, and theories.
Bachelor’s in psychology programs typically require 120 credits and take four years of full-time study to complete. However, earning your psychology degree online can offer greater flexibility as you work through your degree requirements.
In-Person Requirements for Online Psychology Degrees
Most online psychology bachelor’s degrees don’t require in-person components, but some may offer experiential learning experiences such as internships or lab work on campus or at local facilities. At the master’s level, however, in-person requirements like internships, fieldwork, and supervised hours are typically part of the curriculum.
Accessing Your Psychology Courses Online
Some programs let you access course material anytime, while others stream virtual lectures and workshops at set times. You can expect to interact with professors and classmates through discussion boards and emails in asynchronous programs, for example.
As you would in an in-person psychology program, expect to conduct research and get hands-on experience with fieldwork.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Psychology?
Most psychology-related careers, including working as a therapist, psychologist, or counselor, require a graduate degree. However, many entry-level jobs in other fields are open to hiring psychology majors.
A psychology degree also opens doors to industries like business, social work, education, and healthcare. With a strong foundation in psychology, research, and statistics, you are well-prepared to succeed in roles in media, social services, human resources, and marketing. Check out the salary and projected job growth for specific career paths.
| Career Paths | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Projected Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Use Counselors | $59,190 | 17% |
| Market Research Analysts | $76,950 | 7% |
| Public Relations Specialists | $69,780 | 5% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $78,240 | 6% |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,850 | 11% |
| Human Resources Specialists | $72,910 | 6% |
| Technical Writer | $91,670 | 1% |
| Correctional Treatment Specialists | 64,520 | 3% |
Advice from a Psychology Graduate
Of all the advice available to prospective students, guidance from someone in the field may be the most beneficial. Our interview, conducted with a former psychology graduate, explores the required training, the profession in general, and key information that all students should be aware of.
Andréas RB Deolinda, BA, BSc is an educator, writer, poet, and advocate for children with special needs, especially those on the autism spectrum. She also serves as an editorial assistant for Autism Parenting Magazine. Deolinda holds a BSc degree in psychology and biochemistry, plus two postgraduate BA honors degrees in drama therapy and psychology. Professionally, Deolinda has taught at two remedial/special needs education schools and run workshops for children in neurotypical schools in South Africa.
What degrees and licenses in psychology do you hold? What did you specialize in?
In psychology, I hold an undergraduate degree in psychology and a postgraduate degree from South Africa. I am presently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology. In 2018, I completed my undergraduate BSC degree, majoring in psychology and biochemistry, from Wits University.
In 2020, I completed a postgraduate BA honors degree in psychology (UNISA).
My postgraduate discipline is clinical psychology, but for my master’s I am pursuing research psychology in the field of child development.
What do you do for a career now?
Currently, I work as an editorial assistant at Autism Parenting Magazine. Previously, I worked as an education facilitator at both neurotypical and neurodivergent schools. I initially wanted to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist, but I later realized that I have a knack for research and a passion for writing, so I decided that research psychology is my destined path.
What advice do you have for someone considering pursuing an educational path in psychology?
My advice for anyone pursuing an educational path in psychology is to prepare for a long journey. It requires a lot of reading time, from case studies to the various theories that encompass psychology — as long as you stay on top of your work, stay organized, and find a study group, you should be fine!
The field of psychology is so popular and the entry pool is large, so expect competition and aim to chart on the top achiever’s list. Most of all, if you’re unsure of which discipline in psychology to pursue, don’t fret! Most of us didn’t know until the third year. Even then, your interest may change. But while you’re at it, give it your best and enjoy the journey.
What degree do you recommend for people interested in an entry-level career in psychology?
I would recommend that you do your research! I believe that knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you get an idea of where you would thrive most. For instance, if you’d like to help clients through therapy, perhaps clinical psychology is your route. Or if you would like to work in organizations, then organizational psychology is the route for you, and so on.
For example, early on in my undergraduate studies, I was always fascinated by clinical psychology because of the depictions of psychologists portrayed on television. As I progressed into my postgraduate studies and realized my talent for writing and research, I became drawn to research psychology.
An important note to consider is that specialization in psychology takes place at postgraduate level. In undergraduate level, you’re really just learning everything about psychology, which helps to inform your journey as you progress.
What degree do you recommend for people interested in advancing their career in psychology?
There’s no rule book that says you can’t press restart on your career or advance the one you’re currently at. I’ve met a few individuals who were successful in other career paths, such as lawyers or designers, who left their safety nets to go back and pursue psychology.
I mention this because I want people pursuing psychology to know that you may not have started a career in psychology right after high school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t press restart. If you’re in a situation where you’d like to advance your postgraduate career in psychology — such as a master’s or Ph.D. — go for it! The rewards are endless (just like in any degree).
What do you wish you knew before you started your pursuit of a psychology degree — and career?
I wish I knew that my journey would not be straightforward. In medicine, by the end of your final year, you know that you will be a medical doctor and begin practicing. By contrast, in psychology, you have to increase in levels. From your undergraduate degree, you have to apply to enter into postgraduate studies. Even at postgraduate level, you have to apply for entry into a master’s or doctorate program.
Let’s not even get into the chat about career. A career in psychology is challenging. Most employers seek a psychologist with a master’s qualification in psychology. That means that even though you have a four-year degree in psychology or an honors degree in psychology, you’re not a psychologist until you’ve obtained your master’s degree AND passed the board exam to be a certified psychologist.
So when I say prepare for a LONG journey, I don’t say it half-heartedly. Some people are privileged to get into internship programs that help to boost their practical experience portfolios. But if that’s not you, I would recommend doing community service to help you boost your portfolio.
If I can give you a top secret: At master’s level, they want to know about that portfolio, because that practical experience tells the review board whether you can survive the emotional and physical demands of the career you’re entering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychology Degrees
How long does it take to get a psychology degree?
The time it takes depends on the degree and your study pace. A bachelor’s in psychology usually takes about four years of full-time study.
A master’s generally takes two years, while a doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) usually requires 4-5 years of graduate study, plus 1-2 years of supervised research and clinical training for licensure. Part-time study usually adds one to two years at each level.
Is psychology a difficult major?
Psychology programs typically involve significant reading and research but rank among the most commonly conferred undergraduate degrees. Regardless, you may find it challenging if you struggle with heavier reading loads and complex theories.
Is a BA in psychology worth it?
A BA in psychology can pay off. Psych majors strengthen in-demand research and communication skills. With a psychology degree, you can qualify for entry-level marketing, public relations, and social services roles. However, you’ll need a graduate degree if you’re interested in counseling, therapy, or psychology licensure.
What is the highest-paying job with a psychology degree?
The highest-paying job for psychology graduates depends on the degree level. The BLS reports a median annual salary of about $160,000 for marketing managers as of May 2024. These professionals must possess work experience or degrees in business, communications, or other related fields.
Is it hard to find a job with a psychology degree?
It depends. If you aspire to work directly in psychology or counseling, it can be challenging to enter the field with only a bachelor’s degree. For positions outside the field, the broader job market plays a big role in hiring opportunities. In a more competitive job landscape, psychology grads may face tough competition from candidates specifically trained in those fields.However, more than 3.6 million people held psychology degrees in 2023, according to the BLS. While many advanced roles in psychology require graduate study, bachelor’s graduates regularly find opportunities in fields like human resources, marketing, education, and social services.