Skip to main content

Cheapest Psychology Colleges in Pennsylvania

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

Swarthmore College stands out as an unusual entry among Pennsylvania's most affordable psychology programs, with net costs of $18,686 despite a sticker price exceeding $62,000. This creates a striking gap where Swarthmore costs less out-of-pocket than many public universities on this list, thanks to generous financial aid that covers 70% of total expenses. The price range spans from Cheyney University's $9,837 to programs costing over $21,000, reflecting Pennsylvania's mix of public state schools and private colleges with significant endowments. Psychology graduates in Pennsylvania find opportunities across the state's growing healthcare sector, where UPMC operates as one of the nation's largest health systems, creating demand for behavioral health specialists. The Commonwealth's mental health initiatives and expanding telehealth services have increased job prospects, while pharmaceutical companies like GSK and Merck maintain research facilities requiring psychology-trained professionals. Most programs maintain acceptance rates above 70%, making psychology accessible to students at various academic levels while offering different pathways into Pennsylvania's $800 billion economy.
50
Programs
$9,837 – $27,499
Net Price Range
$28,654
Avg. Program Earnings
59.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Psychology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,837 $10,904 16.2%
2 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
3 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
4 $15,089 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
5 $16,630 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
6 $17,034 $14,630 39.6% 97.6%
7 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
8 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
9 $18,952 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
10 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
11 $19,258 $47,675 59.6% 75.2%
12 $19,524 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
13 $19,600 $27,804 46.3% 80.0%
14 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
15 $20,231 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
16 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
17 $20,748 $26,156 55.6% 86.0%
18 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
19 $20,822 $34,502 55.2% 92.7%
20 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
21 $21,205 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
22 $21,241 $27,000 51.8% 94.1%
23 $21,409 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
24 $21,664 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
25 $21,900 $54,960 66.5% 69.7%
26 $21,972 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
27 $22,222 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
28 $22,558 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
29 $22,673 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
30 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
31 $22,909 $44,934 58.2% 84.3%
32 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
33 $23,281 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
34 $23,331 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
35 $23,553 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
36 $24,051 $35,815 50.5% 78.5%
37 $24,791 $38,160 59.6% 82.1%
38 $24,829 $38,370 69.2% 88.7%
39 $25,157 $29,460 60.5% 75.6%
40 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
41 $25,544 $28,185 71.4% 88.1%
42 $25,717 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
43 $25,747 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
44 $25,866 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
45 $25,885 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
46 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
47 $26,539 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
48 $27,141 $38,310 58.5% 58.4%
49 $27,263 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
50 $27,499 $24,510 56.1% 82.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Swarthmore College's surprisingly low net cost compared to other private schools?

Swarthmore's average net price of $18,686 represents strong financial aid that reduces the $62,412 sticker price by nearly 70%. The college's $2.1 billion endowment funds need-based grants that often exceed $40,000 per student. This means Swarthmore actually costs less than public alternatives like University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown at $18,952, making elite education accessible to middle-income families.

How do graduation rates vary between the most affordable psychology programs?

Graduation rates range dramatically from Cheyney University's 16.20% to Swarthmore's 94.10%, showing a clear correlation between selectivity and completion. Public universities like Slippery Rock achieve 65.90% graduation rates at $19,524 net cost. Private colleges generally outperform state schools, with Holy Family University reaching 60.40% despite serving a different student population than highly selective Swarthmore.

Is the earnings gap significant enough to justify higher program costs?

Psychology graduates show earnings ranging from $23,840 to $43,426, with Swarthmore graduates earning 81% more than the lowest-paid cohort. However, mid-range earners from schools like York College ($34,526) and Lycoming College ($33,281) achieve strong outcomes at net costs under $20,000. The $19,000+ earning difference can offset higher educational debt within the first few years after graduation.

Does Pennsylvania's job market support psychology graduates from these affordable programs?

Pennsylvania's healthcare sector employs over 800,000 workers, with UPMC alone hiring thousands of behavioral health specialists annually. The state's aging population and expanded Medicaid coverage have increased demand for mental health services. Psychology graduates also find opportunities in the state's pharmaceutical research sector, where companies like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson maintain significant Pennsylvania operations requiring research and clinical trial support.

Where do acceptance rates create the best value opportunities for psychology students?

University of Pittsburgh campuses offer excellent value with acceptance rates above 93% and net costs between $16,630-$18,952. These programs maintain manageable debt levels around $25,000 while providing access to University of Pittsburgh's research resources. York College presents another strong option with 95.61% acceptance, $19,685 net cost, and graduates earning $34,526 annually.

More Psychology, General Rankings

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

Related

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

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