Best Colleges for Research and Experimental Psychology

Research and Experimental Psychology programs prepare students to design studies, analyze behavioral data, and contribute to our understanding of human cognition and behavior. With 57 schools nationwide offering this specialized major, graduates typically earn around $30,212 annually in entry-level positions, often while pursuing advanced degrees.

When evaluating programs, students should prioritize schools with active faculty research, well-equipped laboratories, and opportunities for undergraduate research participation. Strong programs offer training in statistical software, research methodology, and data analysis. Look for departments that publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals and provide mentorship opportunities. Consider schools with connections to graduate programs, as many students continue their education to pursue careers in academia, clinical practice, or applied research settings.

Schools Ranked

$36,513

Avg. Program Earnings

76.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts	$57,318	97.3%	private-nonprofit
2	Amherst College Amherst, Massachusetts	$46,087	93.4%	private-nonprofit
3	Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts	$43,798	93.3%	private-nonprofit
4	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$42,682	95.0%	private-nonprofit
5	Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois	$39,369	95.9%	private-nonprofit
6	University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois	$39,015	94.9%	private-nonprofit
7	Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, Massachusetts	$38,018		private-nonprofit
8	Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts	$38,018	90.4%	private-nonprofit
9	Boston University Boston, Massachusetts	$38,018	90.0%	private-nonprofit
10	Trinity Washington University Washington, District of Columbia	$37,980	44.4%	private-nonprofit
11	Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, Maryland	$37,748	58.0%	private-nonprofit
12	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$35,060	38.4%	public
13	Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey	$33,993	97.1%	private-nonprofit
14	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$33,859	84.8%	public
15	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$33,157	85.1%	public
16	Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$33,119	29.9%	public
17	University of Rochester Rochester, New York	$32,925	84.5%	private-nonprofit
18	Park University Parkville, Missouri	$32,658	30.0%	private-nonprofit
19	The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas	$32,332	70.8%	public
20	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$31,839	92.3%	public
21	Rutgers University-Newark Newark, New Jersey	$31,314	67.6%	public
22	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$31,314	85.0%	public
23	Rutgers University-Camden Camden, New Jersey	$31,314	66.4%	public
24	Utica University Utica, New York	$30,984	55.5%	private-nonprofit
25	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$30,899	85.3%	public