Skip to main content

Cheapest Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Williams College delivers one of the most surprising cost stories in Massachusetts psychology education. Despite its $64,860 sticker price, need-based aid brings the average net cost down to just $14,852 for students. This creates an unusual situation where an elite liberal arts college becomes more affordable than many state schools for qualifying families. The state's 15 most affordable psychology programs span a $10,418 range, from Bay Path University at $14,590 to UMass Dartmouth at $20,605. Massachusetts psychology graduates enter a job market shaped by the state's concentration of hospitals, research institutions, and biotech companies around Boston. Major employers like Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and pharmaceutical giants regularly hire psychology graduates for roles in clinical research, human resources, and patient services. The earnings data reflects this opportunity, with Salem State graduates averaging $35,505 annually while Eastern Nazarene graduates start at $26,353. State universities dominate the affordability rankings, offering in-state tuition below $17,000 while private colleges rely heavily on financial aid to compete.
50
Programs
$14,590 – $43,273
Net Price Range
$33,000
Avg. Program Earnings
68.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Psychology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,590 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
2 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
3 $14,852 $64,860 96.6% 8.5%
4 $15,432 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
5 $16,698 $11,630 49.5% 87.4%
6 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
7 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%
8 $17,970 $11,389 54.6% 87.7%
9 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
10 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
11 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
12 $18,561 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
13 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
14 $18,707 $11,884 49.1% 92.5%
15 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
16 $21,436 $42,061 64.7% 90.9%
17 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
18 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
19 $24,944 $26,000 53.2% 73.2%
20 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
21 $25,299 $42,970 42.3% 89.4%
22 $25,702 $35,013 28.4% 74.2%
23 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
24 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
25 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
26 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
27 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
28 $28,346 $47,770 69.5% 88.8%
29 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
30 $29,187 $43,707 67.6% 75.6%
31 $29,396 $43,064 40.4% 69.6%
32 $29,504 $46,220 48.3% 87.5%
33 $29,562 $64,142 85.0% 39.8%
34 $29,969 $54,500 80.8% 73.4%
35 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
36 $30,236 $44,960 43.2% 76.0%
37 $30,934 $62,080 75.7% 79.5%
38 $31,065 $40,375 63.6% 84.9%
39 $31,170 $46,430 63.9% 88.0%
40 $31,805 $32,780 61.7% 86.2%
41 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
42 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
43 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
44 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
45 $36,868 $60,850 89.6% 36.4%
46 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
47 $38,787 $58,150 88.2% 57.9%
48 $39,324 $39,212 75.4% 73.3%
49 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%
50 $43,273 $59,070 88.4% 57.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Williams College offer such low net costs for psychology students?

Williams College provides substantial need-based financial aid that reduces the average net cost to $14,852 despite a sticker price of $64,860. The college meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. This generous aid policy makes Williams more affordable than most Massachusetts state universities for families earning under $75,000 annually. The 96.60% graduation rate suggests students successfully complete their degrees without excessive borrowing.

What salary differences exist among Massachusetts psychology graduates?

Early career earnings vary significantly across programs, with Salem State graduates earning $35,505 compared to Eastern Nazarene graduates at $26,353. UMass Boston psychology graduates earn $34,783, reflecting the school's proximity to Boston's major medical centers and research facilities. Most programs produce graduates earning between $30,000 and $35,000 in their first few years after college. These variations often reflect regional job markets and alumni networks rather than program quality alone.

Does debt load correlate with program costs in Massachusetts psychology programs?

Student debt patterns don't always mirror net costs in Massachusetts psychology programs. Williams College students graduate with just $13,416 in debt despite the high sticker price, thanks to generous aid packages. Meanwhile, Fitchburg State students carry $26,000 in debt with a lower net cost of $15,432. State university students typically borrow between $22,000 and $26,000, while private colleges show more variation based on their financial aid policies.

Where do Massachusetts psychology graduates find the most job opportunities?

The Greater Boston area offers the highest concentration of psychology-related jobs, particularly in healthcare systems like Partners HealthCare and Boston Medical Center. Research institutions including Harvard Medical School, MIT, and Boston University hire psychology graduates for clinical research positions. The state's biotech corridor along Route 128 employs psychology graduates in user experience research, clinical trials, and corporate wellness programs. Human resources departments across the state's financial services and technology companies also actively recruit psychology majors.

Is there a significant cost advantage to choosing public over private psychology programs?

Massachusetts public universities offer in-state tuition between $11,046 and $16,570, creating clear savings for state residents. However, private colleges with strong endowments can compete through financial aid, as seen with Williams and Amherst. The net cost gap between public and private narrows considerably for lower-income families, with some private colleges becoming more affordable than state schools. Middle-income families typically find the greatest value at public universities like Worcester State or UMass Lowell.

More Psychology, General Rankings

Best Value Psychology, General in Massachusetts Psychology, General Under $20,000 in Massachusetts

Related

All Psychology, General Programs Best Colleges in Massachusetts Best Psychology, General in Massachusetts

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