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Pennsylvania's Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology programs reveal stark cost differences, with Holy Family University offering the most affordable option at $12,251 net price while private colleges like Arcadia reach $25,866. This 18-school market serves a state where healthcare giants like UPMC and major pharmaceutical companies create steady demand for mental health professionals. Lincoln University stands out as the sole public option at $12,912, making it nearly as affordable as Holy Family despite different funding models. Graduation rates span from 41.2% at Keystone College to 72.5% at Marywood University, suggesting program intensity varies significantly. Early career earnings range from $24,532 to $38,289, reflecting the varied paths psychology graduates take in Pennsylvania's healthcare, education, and social services sectors. The state's aging population and growing awareness of mental health issues position these graduates well for employment opportunities.
18
Programs
$12,251 – $35,487
Net Price Range
$32,836
Avg. Program Earnings
61.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
2 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
3 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
4 $21,409 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
5 $21,461 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
6 $21,664 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
7 $21,873 $32,400 54.2% 65.2%
8 $22,222 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
9 $22,870 $29,990 71.4% 97.2%
10 $23,331 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
11 $24,791 $38,160 59.6% 82.1%
12 $25,747 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
13 $25,866 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
14 $27,141 $38,310 58.5% 58.4%
15 $27,243 $43,300 52.2% 95.4%
16 $28,163 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
17 $30,074 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
18 $35,487 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Holy Family University the most affordable option for psychology students?

Holy Family University offers the lowest net price at $12,251 despite being a private nonprofit institution with a sticker price of $33,968. The school maintains a 77.44% acceptance rate and achieves a 60.40% graduation rate. This combination of generous financial aid and reasonable completion rates makes it an attractive choice for students seeking affordable psychology education in Philadelphia.

How do public and private psychology programs compare in Pennsylvania costs?

Lincoln University serves as Pennsylvania's only public option for Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at $12,912 net price, just $661 more than the cheapest private option. With an in-state tuition of $12,512 and 80.61% acceptance rate, it provides accessible education despite a 52.10% graduation rate. Private colleges in the state range from $12,251 to $35,487 net price, showing significant variation in affordability.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Pennsylvania psychology schools?

Higher-priced programs often show better graduation rates, though exceptions exist. Marywood University achieves the highest graduation rate at 72.5% with a $22,222 net price, while Keystone College has the lowest at 41.2% despite a similar $21,461 cost. Lancaster Bible College breaks this pattern with a 71.4% graduation rate at just $22,870 net price, suggesting program structure matters more than cost alone.

Where do psychology graduates earn the highest starting salaries in Pennsylvania?

Albright College graduates report the highest early career earnings at $38,289, significantly above the $24,532 earned by Keystone College graduates. The $13,757 earnings gap reflects different career paths and geographic opportunities within Pennsylvania's psychology job market. Both schools charge similar net prices around $21,000, making Albright's higher earnings particularly noteworthy for return on investment.

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