Research and Experimental Psychology Colleges Under $20,000

Princeton University breaks the mold for affordable Research and Experimental Psychology education with a net cost of just $10,555 despite its $59,710 sticker price, demonstrating how elite financial aid can make top-tier programs accessible. The field attracts students across dramatically different cost structures, with California State University-San Bernardino offering the lowest net price at $5,918 while graduates from UC San Diego start at $15,817 annually. Research and experimental psychology drives innovation across the nation's technology corridors, pharmaceutical companies, and federal research institutions, creating demand for graduates trained in statistical analysis and experimental design. The 20 most affordable programs span from small regional universities to major research institutions, with graduation rates varying from 25% at Savannah State to 97% at Princeton. Public universities dominate this affordable market, though private institutions like Princeton prove that generous aid packages can compete with state funding for accessibility.

Programs

$5,918 – $15,590

Net Price Range

$27,518

Avg. Program Earnings

62.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Research and Experimental Psychology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, California	$5,918	$7,675	54.7%	91.1%
2	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida	$8,001	$4,879	64.3%	81.3%
3	Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia	$8,683	$5,498	25.2%
4	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, Connecticut	$8,896	$17,462	59.5%	97.9%
5	Murray State University Murray, Kentucky	$9,121	$9,708	59.5%	84.0%
6	University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada	$10,011	$9,142	50.1%	85.3%
7	University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida	$10,353	$6,389	68.2%	70.5%
8	Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey	$10,555	$59,710	97.1%	5.7%
9	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
10	Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, Kentucky	$10,916	$11,436	53.7%	97.0%
11	University of North Alabama Florence, Alabama	$11,024	$11,990	54.0%	95.7%
12	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, Connecticut	$11,504	$17,462	56.7%	97.4%
13	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513	$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
14	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
15	Northeastern State University Tahlequah, Oklahoma	$11,800	$7,513	37.2%	99.5%
16	Truman State University Kirksville, Missouri	$12,030	$9,470	68.4%	45.1%
17	Stanford University Stanford, California	$12,136	$62,484	92.8%	3.7%
18	Trinity Washington University Washington, District of Columbia	$12,233	$26,110	44.4%	97.0%
19	University of Michigan-Flint Flint, Michigan	$12,280	$14,014	44.6%	66.4%
20	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$12,840	$14,237	86.0%	21.2%
21	Lincoln University Lincoln University, Pennsylvania	$12,912	$12,512	52.1%	80.6%
22	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
23	University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah	$13,172	$9,315	63.9%	89.1%
24	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$13,289	$11,764	92.3%	17.1%
25	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, Connecticut	$13,339	$17,452	65.4%	97.3%
26	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
27	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
28	University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg, South Carolina	$13,725	$11,583	42.4%	78.6%
29	Lindsey Wilson College Columbia, Kentucky	$13,811	$27,274	38.1%
30	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$13,825	$14,965	85.3%	25.9%
31	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
32	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
33	University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, Connecticut	$14,059	$17,472	56.9%	92.2%
34	Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey	$14,159	$14,766	64.3%	91.3%
35	Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$14,294	$10,780	29.9%	97.9%
36	Brigham Young University Provo, Utah	$14,487	$6,496	82.2%	66.7%
37	Bay Path University Longmeadow, Massachusetts	$14,590	$37,227	56.9%	75.6%
38	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri	$14,824	$10,181	57.5%	85.6%
39	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$14,832	$17,228	93.2%	17.7%
40	Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, Tennessee	$14,879	$29,264	43.6%	60.7%
41	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
42	Paine College Augusta, Georgia	$15,074	$14,596	21.7%	51.5%
43	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, Illinois	$15,201	$16,004	84.9%	44.8%
44	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
45	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri	$15,336	$9,739	49.4%	71.3%
46	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana	$15,342	$11,790	81.2%	82.4%
47	University of Nevada-Reno Reno, Nevada	$15,402	$8,994	62.4%	85.6%
48	Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, Massachusetts	$15,432	$11,046	52.7%	86.1%
49	Park University Parkville, Missouri	$15,529	$16,400	30.0%
50	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Princeton's surprisingly low net cost for Research and Experimental Psychology?

Princeton's need-based financial aid reduces the $59,710 sticker price to a $10,555 net cost for qualifying students. The university's endowment allows them to offer full need-based aid without loans for families earning under certain thresholds. This places Princeton among the most affordable options nationally despite being private. The 5.7% acceptance rate means competition remains fierce for these aid packages.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable psychology programs?

Graduation rates span from 25.2% at Savannah State University to 97.1% at Princeton University, showing dramatic differences in student outcomes. UC San Diego achieves an 87.6% graduation rate with an $11,750 net cost, proving affordability doesn't require sacrificing completion rates. Many regional public universities cluster around 50-60% graduation rates. Florida Atlantic University combines reasonable costs with a solid 64.3% graduation rate.

Is there a connection between program cost and graduate earnings?

Graduate earnings show little correlation with program costs in this affordable range. UC San Diego graduates start at $15,817 annually despite the program costing $11,750, while Princeton graduates earn $33,993 with similar net costs. California State University-San Bernardino offers the lowest cost at $5,918 yet produces graduates earning $26,739. Geographic location and regional job markets often matter more than program price for starting salaries.

Does student debt vary significantly among these affordable programs?

Student debt levels range from $14,814 at UC San Diego to $31,031 at Savannah State University among programs reporting debt data. Several strong programs keep debt under $20,000, including University of North Florida at $16,200 and Murray State at $20,500. Princeton reports $0 average debt due to their no-loan financial aid policy. Geographic differences in living costs influence total borrowing needs beyond tuition.

Where do the most accessible psychology programs cluster geographically?

The Southeast dominates with programs in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky offering strong value propositions. Western states contribute significantly through California and Nevada public university systems. The Northeast appears only through Connecticut's regional campuses and Princeton's aid-heavy model. This geographic spread reflects state funding priorities and regional cost-of-living differences affecting net program costs.

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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.