The acquisition of knowledge in the psychological sciences can be a never ending process as new data, research, and ideas come as quickly as ideas become outdated or revitalized. Most industrial and organizational, forensic, clinical and school psychologists need a certification or licensure to work, a credential which an online PhD in psychology can prepare you for, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The best online PhD programs in psychology are designed to instill theory and practice into coursework applicable to student’s current occupations. Psychologists may work independently, with clients, or in organizational settings from industrial workplaces to educational institutions or healthcare facilities.
The professional psychologist in 2019 made a median salary of $80,370, with an outlook of 14% job growth over the next 8 years, much faster than average. The requirement to pursue a human services career best suited to one’s skills in patience, integrity, interpersonal communication and problem-solving is available to the working adult online.
GetEducated has surveyed 13 schools offering 63 regionally accredited online PhD in psychology programs to create this “Best Buy” list. This list of the best online PhD programs in psychology provides future students with the most affordable options available in the US. Take time to review and compare fully researched programs to choose that best suited to academic, personal, and professional goals.
Average Cost (In-state): ~$67,300
Least Expensive: University of Idaho ~$30,368
Most Expensive: Meridian University ~$105,946
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online PhD psychology programs. The online psychology degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2020 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
8 Most Affordable Online PhD in Psychology Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of Idaho | (ID) | $30,368.00 | All Students |
2 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $37,193.00 $16,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
3 | Touro University Worldwide | (CA) | $46,400.00 | All Students |
4 | Walden University | (MN) | $53,105.00 $45,821.80 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
5 | Walden University | (MN) | $54,260.00 $47,240.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
6 | Walden University | (MN) | $54,420.00 $47,400.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
7 | Walden University | (MN) | $57,185.00 $49,726.30 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
8 | Alliant International University | (CA) | $59,315.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Adler University | (IL) | $68,050.00 | All Students | |
National University | (CA) | $70,610.00 $56,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Walden University | (MN) | $72,130.00 $62,477.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Sofia University | (CA) | $72,775.00 | All Students | |
The Chicago School | (TX) | $86,751.00 | All Students | |
The Chicago School | (TX) | $89,735.00 | All Students | |
Meridian University | (CA) | $96,196.00 | All Students | |
William James College | (MA) | $103,630.00 | All Students | |
Meridian University | (CA) | $105,946.00 | All Students |
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Accreditation Note: To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Summer 2020 review of regionally accredited online PhD in psychology degrees. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the Request More Information in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a PhD degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
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