MAJOR GUIDE · 2026

Best Colleges for Psychology: Ranked by Graduate Salary, Not Prestige
— ranked by salary, not prestige.

Q: Should I pick a school based on Psychology ranking or overall prestige?

Major-specific salary outcomes beat overall school prestige for most career paths. A top program in Psychology at a less famous school often outperforms a mid-tier program at a brand-name school. The salary table on this page ranks programs by what graduates actually earn, not by reputation surveys.

We rank by what graduates actually earn — not by reputation surveys.

The ranking

sortable · by salary outcomes

Rank	School	Salary	Accept	Verdict
①	Amherst College	$55,800	9.8%	REACH
②	Barnard College	$55,800	8.0%	REACH
③	Bowdoin College	$55,800	8.0%	REACH
04	Brown University	$55,800	5.2%	REACH
05	Colby College	$55,800	6.8%	REACH
06	Columbia University	$55,800	4.2%	REACH
07	Cornell University	$55,800	8.2%	REACH
08	Dartmouth College	$55,800	6.2%	REACH
09	Duke University	$55,800	6.8%	REACH
10	Harvard University	$55,800	3.5%	REACH
11	Johns Hopkins University	$55,800	7.6%	REACH
12	New York University (NYU)	$55,800	9.4%	REACH
13	Northeastern University	$55,800	5.7%	REACH
14	Northwestern University	$55,800	7.1%	REACH
15	Pomona College	$55,800	6.8%	REACH
16	Princeton University	$55,800	4.5%	REACH
17	Rice University	$55,800	7.9%	REACH
18	Stanford University	$55,800	3.9%	REACH
19	Swarthmore College	$55,800	6.9%	REACH
20	UCLA	$55,800	9.0%	REACH
21	University of Chicago	$55,800	4.8%	REACH
22	University of Pennsylvania	$55,800	5.9%	REACH
23	Vanderbilt University	$55,800	6.3%	REACH
24	Williams College	$55,800	10.0%	REACH
25	Yale University	$55,800	4.5%	REACH
26	Boston University	$52,200	10.8%	REACH
27	Carnegie Mellon University	$52,200	11.4%	REACH
28	Claremont McKenna College	$52,200	11.1%	REACH
29	Colgate University	$52,200	11.9%	REACH
30	Davidson College	$52,200	14.5%	REACH

Psychology Major FAQs

Which college has the highest Psychology salary?

Amherst College Psychology graduates earn the highest median 4-year-out salary on this list, at $55,800. Salary by program is the most reliable signal for ROI on major choice.

What is the most competitive Psychology program?

Harvard University is the most selective school on this list with a 3.5% overall acceptance rate. Top programs in Psychology often admit at significantly lower rates than the school-wide average.

Which colleges have an easier path to study Psychology?

Among schools on this list, Davidson College is the most accessible at a 14.5% acceptance rate. Less selective schools can still produce strong Psychology grads — what matters is fit, faculty, and your own work.

What GPA do I need for Psychology programs?

GPA requirements vary widely. Reach schools (acceptance < 20%) typically expect 3.8+ unweighted GPAs with rigorous coursework. Match schools (20-50%) expect 3.3-3.7. Less selective schools may admit at 3.0+. Major-specific admission (engineering, CS, business) is often tougher than the school average.

Should I pick a school based on Psychology ranking or overall prestige?

Major-specific salary outcomes beat overall school prestige for most career paths. A top program in Psychology at a less famous school often outperforms a mid-tier program at a brand-name school. The salary table on this page ranks programs by what graduates actually earn, not by reputation surveys.

Data source: IPEDS, College Scorecard.

Best Colleges for Psychology: Ranked by Graduate Salary, Not Prestige— ranked by salary, not prestige.

The ranking

Psychology Major FAQs

Plug your stats in. We'll tell you where you stand.

Best Colleges for Psychology: Ranked by Graduate Salary, Not Prestige
— ranked by salary, not prestige.