Choosing the right college for psychology can shape your entire academic and career journey. The United States is home to many highly ranked psychology programs that offer top-tier faculty, hands-on research opportunities, and vibrant campus communities. When exploring the best colleges for psychology, it’s important that you keep your academic and career goals top of mind.
Whether you’re interested in clinical practice, research, or understanding the human mind, these 20 colleges stand out for their dedication to advancements in the field of psychology.
Best Colleges for Students Pursing a Career in Psychology
1. STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- Acceptance rate: 3.9%
Stanford’s psychology program offers students flexible learning paths, allowing them to pursue interests in various fields. Regardless of the field, the curriculum is based on innovation and rigorous research.
Undergraduates must complete at least 70 units of course work in psychology- at least 60 units must be in the Department of Psychology. 10 units can be taken outside the department with conditions. Students often get involved in research projects early, typically focused on thematic areas such as cognitive, social, and clinical psychology. Admission is highly competitive, requiring outstanding academic records.
2. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
- Acceptance rate: 4.5%
Princeton offers an intensive psychology curriculum, which includes foundational and advanced studies related to reasoning, decision making, perception, language, sensation, movement, and social interaction. Students are required to complete mandatory core courses and elective courses. The program is research-oriented and encourages students to participate in laboratory work early on.
Admission into Princeton’s psychology program is highly competitive and dependent on completion of three defined prerequisite courses. The university offers psychology majors a range of undergraduate certificate programs to complement their degree.
3. YALE UNIVERSITY
- Acceptance rate: 4.5%
The psychology program at Yale University is designed with a lot of freedom and flexibility built in, allowing students to tailor programs of study and research to their individual goals. Students can choose from several major specialties while also developing a broad knowledge of the field of psychology as a whole. The curriculum includes courses in research methods and statistical analysis, with many students participating in labs and honors projects.
Students are encouraged to get involved in research early. This is carried out under the guidance of faculty members. The admissions requirements are kept to a minimum to accommodate applicants’ diverse interests and career goals. However, there are some mandatory requirements.
4. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR
- Acceptance rate: 17.9%
The University of Michigan’s psychology program stands out for its combination of theoretical and hands-on research. The program values a broad background in sciences, and students have access to leading research labs. Research experience is a major focus. Acceptance into the psychology program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is competitive, favoring well-rounded students with a broad background in sciences.
Applications to this program go through the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). The college offers two majors – Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) and Psychology. Students may declare one of the two majors after completion of pre-requisite courses.
5. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES (UCLA)
- Acceptance rate: 8.7%
UCLA offers three undergraduate majors – Psychology (B.A.), Cognitive Science (B.S.), and Psychobiology (B.S.). While certain fundamental and basic courses overlap among the majors, they vary significantly in their focus. UCLA also offers a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology.
The undergraduate curriculum covers a broad range of behavioral topics and research methods, while allowing students to dive deeper into areas of special interest. Students take core and specialized courses in fields like cognition, personality, clinical, and health psychology, with strong opportunities for research experience. The psychology program at UCLA is lauded for its academic rigor and outstanding research opportunities. Admission is highly selective, often requiring a high GPA and considerable research or clinical experience.
6. HARVARD UNIVERSITY
- Acceptance rate: 3.5%
Harvard University has a long-standing reputation for producing thought leaders in many different fields including psychology. The psychology program offers students three main tracks – a flexible General Track, The Cognitive Neuroscience & Evolutionary (CNEP) Psychology Track, and The Mind/Brain/Behavior (Cognitive Science) Track in Psychology.
The curriculum includes foundational and advanced courses, with a focus on original research. Students have a tremendous amount of flexibility in choosing from a wide range of programs options based on their interests and career goals. Admission is highly competitive, prioritizing academic excellence and research potential.
7. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
- Acceptance rate: 18.7%
The psychology program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a broad foundation in behavioral sciences with a focus on research. Students can major in psychology without specializing early, and the program encourages research participation.
Admissions decisions are based on a combination of factors, with emphasis on academic performance and relevant work experience.
8. DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
- Acceptance rate: 6.2%
Dartmouth’s psychology curriculum encourages students to get involved in various aspects including research, critical analysis, and practical experience. The program is hands-on and fosters collaborative study. It focuses on areas such as brain and behavior or perception and cognition. Students must earn at least a C in core courses to continue.
The Psychology Department at Dartmouth offers two main types of certificate programs – a major and minor in Psychology and a major and minor in Neuroscience.
9. UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- Acceptance rate: 4.8%
The research-intensive psychology program at the University of Chicago is based on the principle that research experience is crucial for students to strengthen their psychology education. The department strongly encourages students to obtain additional research experience by working on projects under the guidance of a faculty member.
Students receive invaluable guidance on finding research opportunities that fit their interests and goals. They also receive guidance on how to use these experiences to further their academic and professional development. Undergrads can apply to the Earl R. Franklin Research Fellowship for research funding.
10. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
- Acceptance rate: 11.7%
The University of California, Berkeley, offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The dynamic psychology program covers 6 key areas of specialized research including Cognitive Neuroscience, Clinical Science, and Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, among others. Students also master important critical thinking, methodological, and statistical skills that are relevant to all specialization areas.
Students must maintain a solid GPA and follow a structured set of core and elective courses. It’s a top-ranked choice for students interested in cross-disciplinary work.
11. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS
- Acceptance rate: 77%
The University of Minnesota offers two psychology certifications – a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. The BA in Psychology curriculum is designed to prepare students for diverse roles in government, law, education and business as well as counseling and therapy. The BS in Psychology is research-intensive and prepares students for careers in research and healthcare. If you’re not sure which one to choose, you can take a quiz on the university page to help you decide.
12. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
- Acceptance rate: 4.2%
Columbia University offers a psychology major that covers core areas and electives, with a strong focus on research and laboratory work. The department looks for students with some background in psychology and prior research experience is a plus. The program has a reputation for rigorous training and prepares students for a range of careers.
Students are encouraged to use checklists to plan their coursework and discuss it their program advisor before registration. Your checklist will be evaluated by the Psychology department to determine whether your course plan meets the major requirements. If it doesn’t, you have will be submit a revised checklist.
13. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEATTLE
- Acceptance rate: 42.5%
At the University of Washington, psychology students must complete a mix of core and advanced courses, maintaining a minimum GPA to graduate. The program stands out for diverse research opportunities and practical experience. Admission to the major is competitive, and research involvement is highly encouraged.
14. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Acceptance rate: 5.9%
The psychology program at University of Pennsylvania is reputed for its faculty expertise and innovative research projects. Students must complete both required core courses and lab work, ensuring a solid foundation in experimental psychology. Psychology majors must compulsorily take a total of 13 credits and get a minimum 2.0 GPA to graduate. There are several courses students can choose from other departments to count toward the Psychology major as electives.
15. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON
- Acceptance rate: 43.4%
The University of Wisconsin’s psychology department is one of the largest on campus and offers a wide range of courses and research opportunities. Core requirements include research methods, statistics, and specialty courses.
Students graduating with a psychology degree from the University of Wisconsin have gone on to pursue successful careers in public service, medicine, counseling, science, and other fields.
16. INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON
- Acceptance rate: 80.4%
Indiana University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to pursue a specialization or concentration in the field. Options range from memory, cognition, clinical psychology and social psychology to human development and animal behavior.
The curriculum is designed to offer a solid foundation with a lot of flexibility built into the program. Students work with academic advisors to choose from a wide range of lab and capstone experiences, electives, and advanced courses that match their interests and career goals. The program ensures students gain a well-rounded understanding of the mind, brain, and behavior while specializing in their area of interest.
17. PENN STATE UNIVERSITY – WORLD CAMPUS
- Acceptance rate: 80.3%
Students in the psychology program at Penn State learn about normal and abnormal behavior with a focus on how it is studied and how it relates to applied fields. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with each program focusing on different fields. The BS program is more research-intensive and includes more coursework in the sciences. Students in both programs are encouraged to take a practicum in an applied setting and /or conduct research with faculty members.
Entry requirements include a minimum GPA and required course credits, with accessible pathways for students from various backgrounds.
18. UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER
- Acceptance rate: 83.3%
The psychology program at the University of Colorado Boulder is designed to foster a deeper understanding of human behavior, cognition, social interactions, mind-brain relationships, and emotion. It offers students the opportunity to explore a number of specialized psychology topics ranging from clinical psychology and behavioral genetics to decision making, child development, and more. The program is known for its award-winning faculty, advanced research labs, and outstanding student support. Students explore research programs that produce scientific, evidence-based results.
19. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN
- Acceptance rate: 29.1%
The University of Texas Austin has a robust psychology program, with courses in core areas and opportunities for research and practical experience. The extensive scientific program is designed to better prepare students for advanced graduate study or roles in research fields. Students take fewer language arts courses, allowing them to focus on natural sciences. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the fields that support the students’ areas of interests within psychology.
Students must complete significant upper-division coursework that prepare them for a wide range of careers. The program is supported by highly recognized faculty.
20. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
- Acceptance rate: 12%
Students at the Washington University in St. Louis get the opportunity to explore diverse specialization options such as cognitive neuroscience, brain-behavior interactions, clinical science, and more. The program combines foundational and advanced coursework with extensive research opportunities, internships, and practicum experiences. The curriculum includes courses on how to conduct literature reviews, gather data, and write scientific papers proficiently.
Students receive strong support for academic and career development and must maintain good standing in their courses to graduate.
These colleges for psychology in the US offer students a solid foundation, valuable training and some of the best research opportunities supported by world-class faculty. The key to a fulfilling future in psychology is to choose a college that offers a program best suited to support your career goals.
Interested in exploring more psychology colleges? Check out these great programs that offer diverse courses in various fields of psychology.
