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Clinical Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

A striking earnings gap defines the psychology education market, with CUNY Baruch College graduates earning $38,289 while University of Puerto Rico at Ponce graduates start at $12,776. This nearly three-to-one difference reflects regional job markets, where New York's mental health sector offers higher starting salaries but demands greater living costs. Net prices range from $2,978 at CUNY schools to $10,898 at University of Washington-Bothell, proving that geography shapes both costs and career prospects. The West Coast and Northeast dominate higher-paying psychology positions, with telehealth expansion creating new opportunities for rural practitioners. California State University campuses cluster in the middle range, offering solid training at $4,113 to $6,480 annually. Mental health worker shortages nationwide mean psychology graduates enter a field where demand consistently exceeds supply, particularly in community mental health centers and school systems.
50
Programs
$2,978 – $15,001
Net Price Range
$29,766
Avg. Program Earnings
54.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
2 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
3 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
4 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
5 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
6 $7,455 $5,354 50.6% 54.0%
7 $8,264 $6,238 42.1% 99.8%
8 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
9 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
10 $10,145 $5,068 35.4% 56.3%
11 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
12 $10,874 $13,120 49.7% 57.2%
13 $10,888 $9,068 60.7%
14 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
15 $10,898 $12,559 68.2% 88.1%
16 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
17 $11,759 $5,324 50.7% 60.0%
18 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
19 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
20 $12,267 $10,110 47.6%
21 $12,280 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
22 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
23 $12,323 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
24 $12,514 $8,634 47.8% 93.2%
25 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
26 $12,820 $27,150 70.0% 55.7%
27 $12,904 $20,000 81.7% 100.0%
28 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
29 $13,091 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
30 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
31 $13,289 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
32 $13,346 $7,278 21.6%
33 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
34 $13,571 $9,552 19.5%
35 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
36 $13,824 $7,278 24.5%
37 $13,953 $7,392 25.4%
38 $14,072 $7,986 40.2% 55.4%
39 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
40 $14,454 $7,935 40.3% 71.2%
41 $14,485 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
42 $14,528 $27,650 60.6% 66.8%
43 $14,590 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
44 $14,760 $10,304 44.1% 91.6%
45 $14,773 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
46 $14,774 $6,960 100.0%
47 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
48 $14,879 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
49 $14,986 $23,340 59.4% 64.6%
50 $15,001 $8,689 44.1% 94.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $25,513 earnings difference between the highest and lowest paying programs?

Regional job markets create massive salary variations in psychology careers. CUNY Baruch graduates in New York City start at $38,289, while University of Puerto Rico at Ponce graduates begin at $12,776. Cost of living partially explains this gap, but metropolitan areas also offer more specialized positions. New York's concentration of hospitals, private practices, and corporate wellness programs drives higher starting salaries compared to smaller markets.

How do CUNY schools achieve such low net prices for psychology students?

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College charges just $2,978 net price, while John Jay College costs $3,046, both serving New York residents. These public institutions receive substantial state funding and offer extensive financial aid packages. In-state tuition remains under $7,500 at both schools. The combination of need-based grants and reasonable base tuition creates accessible psychology education in an expensive metropolitan area.

Is University of Central Florida worth the $10,650 cost compared to cheaper alternatives?

UCF delivers strong value with a 75.10% graduation rate, the highest among these affordable options, and $32,711 starting earnings. The school accepts just 41.04% of applicants, indicating competitive admission standards. While California State schools cost less, UCF's graduation rate exceeds theirs by 20 percentage points. Florida's growing population creates steady demand for mental health professionals, supporting career prospects.

Does attending a California State University campus limit psychology career options?

California State campuses offer solid training with graduation rates around 53-55% and moderate debt levels under $13,000. Cal State LA costs $4,113 annually with graduates earning $24,837, while Cal State San Bernardino charges $5,918 with similar outcomes. These schools accept over 85% of applicants, providing accessible entry points. California's large population and mental health parity laws create steady job demand across the state.

Where do psychology graduates find the best debt-to-earnings ratios?

University of Puerto Rico at Ponce offers the lowest debt burden at just $5,000, though earnings start at $12,776. University of Washington-Bothell provides stronger long-term value with $11,557 debt and $33,726 earnings, creating a 2.9-to-1 earnings ratio. CUNY schools report no debt data but offer minimal net costs. Clayton State University shows concerning metrics with $27,000 debt against $30,771 earnings, suggesting financial strain for graduates.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.