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Best Value Clinical Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Arizona State University stands out among Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology programs with graduates earning $41,565 annually despite a moderate net cost of $13,670. This represents the highest earning potential in this analysis, significantly outpacing the $24,837 earned by California State University-Los Angeles graduates. The Southwest region benefits from growing mental health awareness initiatives and expanded telehealth services, creating steady demand for psychology professionals across Arizona's major metropolitan areas. CUNY schools dominate the affordability spectrum, with Baruch College offering the lowest net cost at $2,978 while maintaining a solid 72% graduation rate. Public institutions across this field typically charge between $2,978 and $15,001 annually, making psychology education accessible without compromising career prospects. The data reveals significant regional variations in both costs and outcomes, with New York and California schools offering particularly strong value propositions for students willing to navigate competitive admission processes.
50
Programs
$2,978 – $40,846
Net Price Range
$31,646
Avg. Program Earnings
58.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,978 $38,289 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
2 $3,046 $34,420 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
3 $4,113 $24,837 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
4 $9,173 $30,771 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
5 $10,898 $33,726 $12,559 68.2% 88.1%
6 $10,650 $32,711 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
7 $13,670 $41,565 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
8 $10,145 $30,771 $5,068 35.4% 56.3%
9 $12,599 $35,060 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
10 $11,750 $30,771 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
11 $14,485 $36,776 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
12 $13,485 $33,726 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
13 $12,093 $29,064 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
14 $12,280 $27,947 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
15 $15,001 $32,569 $8,689 44.1% 94.9%
16 $15,108 $32,284 $7,970 55.7%
17 $14,352 $29,685 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
18 $17,123 $34,847 $19,896 33.3%
19 $15,044 $29,685 $6,706 28.2%
20 $16,391 $31,314 $12,687 59.1% 92.6%
21 $21,664 $38,289 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
22 $18,967 $32,925 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
23 $7,455 $12,776 $5,354 50.6% 54.0%
24 $18,701 $31,236 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
25 $22,605 $36,077 $9,577 30.3%
26 $19,798 $31,133 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
27 $23,819 $36,141 $37,452 51.0% 78.0%
28 $20,798 $31,127 $22,194 56.7% 91.3%
29 $25,374 $37,208 $12,240 92.0%
30 $20,752 $28,055 $22,300 40.4% 24.2%
31 $16,189 $21,850 $27,110 28.5% 86.7%
32 $15,501 $20,824 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%
33 $28,163 $37,208 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
34 $18,406 $24,035 $30,034 69.9% 84.6%
35 $31,569 $40,945 $46,686 65.8% 79.7%
36 $20,133 $25,194 $23,250 46.0% 68.0%
37 $26,996 $33,726 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
38 $17,393 $21,052 $8,769 31.9% 87.2%
39 $24,137 $28,779 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
40 $11,759 $13,702 $5,324 50.7% 60.0%
41 $14,072 $16,394 $7,986 40.2% 55.4%
42 $40,846 $47,260 $51,169 80.6% 68.8%
43 $21,461 $24,532 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
44 $31,046 $33,281 $51,424 61.4% 82.9%
45 $39,866 $42,433 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%
46 $35,300 $37,208 $44,360 65.5% 64.4%
47 $39,983 $41,937 $42,204 69.8% 68.0%
48 $30,074 $31,314 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
49 $40,289 $41,937 $42,304 67.4% 64.5%
50 $31,805 $32,925 $32,780 61.7% 86.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $38,691 difference between the highest and lowest earning programs?

Arizona State University graduates earn $41,565 compared to $24,837 at California State University-Los Angeles, reflecting regional job market conditions and program focus areas. ASU's location in Phoenix provides access to major healthcare systems and corporate wellness programs that typically offer higher salaries. The university's acceptance rate of 89.75% also suggests less competition among graduates. California State LA serves a different market segment with more community-based mental health positions that offer lower starting salaries but significant public service benefits.

How do CUNY schools achieve such low costs while maintaining reasonable graduation rates?

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and John Jay College charge net costs under $3,100 due to substantial state funding and need-based aid programs. Baruch achieves a 72% graduation rate with earnings of $38,289, demonstrating that low cost doesn't sacrifice outcomes. John Jay specializes in criminal justice psychology, graduating 55.5% of students into a niche field with stable demand. Both schools benefit from New York's large healthcare infrastructure and extensive internship opportunities that support student success without inflating program costs.

Is University of California-San Diego worth the selective admissions process?

UC San Diego accepts only 23.71% of applicants but delivers an 87.6% graduation rate, the second-highest among these programs. Graduates earn $30,771 annually with relatively low debt of $15,000, making the return on investment solid despite moderate earnings. The school's research opportunities and proximity to San Diego's biotech industry provide valuable experience that may lead to higher long-term earnings. However, the competitive admission process means many qualified students may find better value at less selective programs with similar outcomes.

Does University of Central Florida offer the best combination of selectivity and outcomes?

UCF achieves a 75.1% graduation rate with a 41.04% acceptance rate, balancing selectivity with strong completion rates. The net cost of $10,650 falls in the middle range while graduates earn $32,711 annually. Orlando's growing healthcare sector and tourism industry create varied employment opportunities for psychology graduates. The program size allows for personalized attention while maintaining competitive standards that prepare students for both clinical and applied psychology careers throughout Florida's expanding job market.

Where do graduates from these programs typically find employment?

Psychology graduates enter community mental health centers, private practice offices, corporate human resources departments, and healthcare systems across their regions. Schools near major cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York provide access to larger employers and higher-paying positions. Rural programs like SUNY Canton often prepare graduates for community-based roles with lower salaries but strong job security. The $24,837 to $41,565 earnings range reflects this geographic diversity, with urban markets generally offering higher compensation but increased competition and living 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.