01Recommended
The Chicago School
Psychology
- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
17 Best Online Psychology Degrees of 2026
The Chicago School is the best fit for students who want a psychology-focused private nonprofit, Penn State World Campus for a large public university that awards the same diploma online, and the University of Florida for a low-cost public land-grant option through UF Online. Decide whether specialization, brand recognition or cost matters most, then confirm accreditation and transfer credit.
Fact-checkedOur top 3 picks
Independent picks from our 2026 ranking. No paid placements.
02Top Strong pick
Penn State World Campus
Psychology
- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
03Top five
University of Florida
Psychology
- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
Advertiser disclosure RaveReviews may earn a commission from links on this page. That never influences our scores or rankings. How we make money.
The RaveReviews AlgorithmSources, weights and method
How the score works
We collect published rankings in this category, normalize each placement to a 0–100 scale, weight the sources by category fit and recency, and average only the lists where a provider appears. The result is divided by 10 and rounded to one decimal.
- 01Collect the source rankings.
- 02Normalize every position.
- 03Weight the sources.
- 04Calculate the RaveReviews Algorithm score.
Scoring factors
- Source normalization40%
- Specialist rankings30%
- Publisher rankings20%
- RaveReviews Algorithm score10%
Sources used
Last reviewed 2026-11-02. 4 sources contributed to this ranking.
The ranking at a glanceScores, chart and shortlist shape
Score curve
How the top 10 scores fall from first to tenth.
#1#5#10
Top scores
The first five, scored out of 10.
What you need to know before you choose.
The best online psychology degree depends on whether you want a psychology-focused institution, a large public research university or a flexible online arm with the same diploma. Compare accreditation, transfer credit and total tuition before enrolling.
Check whether the program is regionally accredited and whether it prepares you for the graduate training your career requires, since a bachelor's alone does not license you to practice. Confirm transfer credit limits and total tuition before you enroll.
What the research says.
This shortlist is built from published rankings, not a single editor's opinion. Here is the evidence behind the score.
17options reviewed
6.6average score
10.0top score
4authority sources
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Authority sources
Read the published rankings behind this list.
OnlineU — 2026 Best Online Psychology Degrees
College Consensus — 10 Best Online Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees
Forbes Advisor — Best Online Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees
Key insights
17options reviewed
Compared on value, features, ease, support and reputation.
5weighted ranking factors
The same published model across every category.
0paid placements
Compensation never changes a score or a rank.
Education options ranked
17 options, scored on value, features, ease of use, support and reputation.
The Chicago School
RecommendedBest overall- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #1
Penn State World Campus
Top Strong pick- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #2
University of Florida
Top five- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #3
George Mason University
Top five- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- Forbes Advisor: #2
University of Central Florida
Top five- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #7
Washington State University
Strong pick- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #4
Drexel University
Strong pick- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #3
Saint Leo University
Strong pick- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #5
Brescia University
Strong pick- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #4
Liberty University
Strong pick- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #6
University of Minnesota Duluth
Solid option- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #5
Oregon State University
Solid option- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #10
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Solid option- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #8
Central Washington University
Solid option- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- College Consensus: #7
University of Arizona
Solid option- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #9
Arizona State University
Solid option- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- OnlineU: #10
East Carolina University
Solid option- Online Psychology program
- Regionally accredited
- Forbes Advisor: #7
The Chicago School is a private nonprofit university focused on psychology and behavioral health.
10.0RaveReviews Algorithm
Compare the top options
The details that matter most, in one view.
| Offer | The Chicago School | Penn State World Campus | University of Florida | George Mason University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RaveReviews Algorithm | 10.0 | 9.6 | 9.0 | 8.9 |
| Best for | Psychology | Psychology | Psychology | Psychology |
| Price | $16,980 | $41,790 | $3,357 | $433/credit |
| Highlight | Online Psychology program | Online Psychology program | Online Psychology program | Online Psychology program |
Showing the top 4 of 17 options. See every ranked option.
The questions buyers actually ask
Clear answers to the decisions that come after the shortlist.
What is the best choice in online psychology degrees?
If you want the short answer, start with The Chicago School. It earned a 10.0 out of 10 in our 2026 ranking, and it is the option we would shortlist first for psychology. That does not mean it is the right choice for every reader. It means it is the most defensible place to begin.
The ranking is a shortlist, not a finish line. The right option depends on the job you need done, the total cost after fees and the support you will actually use. Penn State World Campus is the stronger fit for psychology. University of Florida is worth a close look for psychology. Start with the top pick, then compare the runner-up on the details that change your decision.
Most buyers do not need the longest feature list. They need a clear answer to a smaller question. What will this cost over a year? What happens when something goes wrong? Can I leave without a penalty? Those questions separate a good shortlist from a good decision.
How did we rank online psychology degrees?
We used the same five-factor model across this category. Source normalization at 40%, specialist rankings at 30%, publisher rankings at 20%, ravereviews algorithm score at 10%. The weights are published because a score without a method is just a vibe with a decimal point.
The process starts with the evidence a buyer can actually check. We review provider materials, published pricing, contract terms and the support model. Then we compare the details that tend to cause regret later. A low headline price does not count for much if the service fee, cancellation term or coverage limit undoes it.
We also separate popularity from quality. A brand can be everywhere and still be a poor fit for your situation. The ranking rewards fit, not advertising spend. That is why the top pick may not be the most famous name on the page.
What should you look for in online psychology degrees?
Start with the features that affect your actual use case. For The Chicago School, the relevant details include online psychology program, regionally accredited, onlineu: #1. Those are not decoration. They are the parts of the product that determine whether it works on a normal Tuesday, not just on the day you sign up.
Then look at the terms. Price is easy to compare. Contract length, service fees, cancellation rules, support hours and eligibility are harder. They are also where most of the real cost hides. Ask for the total annual cost, not the monthly teaser. Ask what happens if you need to cancel, move or change the plan.
Finally, check the track record. A provider that answers a sales call quickly may be slow when you need help. Read recent reviews, look for patterns and ask how disputes are handled. The best time to learn how a company behaves is before you depend on it.
How much do online psychology degrees cost?
The Chicago School starts at $16,980 /year. Penn State World Campus starts at $41,790 /year. University of Florida starts at $3,357 /year. Those prices are a starting point, not a full budget. The final number depends on the plan, the contract, the add-ons and where you live.
Here is the part most shoppers miss. The cheapest monthly price is often the most expensive decision. A low rate with a long contract, a large service fee or a narrow coverage set can cost more than a higher headline price with clean terms. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the product.
Set a budget before you compare. Then decide which features are worth paying for. If you cannot explain why an upgrade matters to your actual use, it is probably not an upgrade. It is a sales feature.
What should you verify before you buy?
Verify the total cost, not the promotional price. Ask for the monthly cost after any introductory period ends. Ask about setup fees, service fees, cancellation fees and anything that changes when you add a user, a location or a feature. The number you see in an ad is rarely the number you will pay in month twelve.
Verify the terms that are easy to miss. Contract length, renewal rules, data practices and support hours matter more than most buyers expect. If the provider cannot explain them clearly before the sale, assume the answer will be harder to get afterward.
Verify the fit with your actual workflow. A demo can make any product look simple. A free trial or a short pilot can show you what the product feels like on a normal day. Use the trial to test the one feature you need most. That is a better use of time than touring every menu.
What should you do next?
Start with the top pick and read the full review. Then compare the runner-up on the three details that matter most to you. If you are still unsure, use the comparison table and the methodology on this page. The goal is not to keep researching forever. The goal is to make a decision you can explain.
Before you sign up, confirm the current price, the contract term and the cancellation policy directly with the provider. Prices change. Terms change. A ranking can point you in the right direction, but the final check has to happen at the source.
If this ranking helped you narrow the list, stop there. A shortlist of two or three good options is enough. The best decision is the one you can act on with confidence, not the one that keeps you in the research phase for another month.
Who wrote and reviewed this ranking
Every ranking has a named editor and a separate quality review before publication.
David Krug
Head of Content
David leads the RaveReviews editorial team, turning research into clear comparisons and useful guides. He oversees content strategy, testing standards and the final read on every ranking.
LinkedIn
Annie Membreve
Head of Quality Control
Annie runs quality control at RaveReviews, checking sourcing, scoring and the details readers rely on. She reviews every ranking before publication and manages corrections.
TikTokFrequently asked questions
Are online Psychology degrees respected by employers?
Regionally accredited online degrees are generally treated the same as campus degrees. Recognition depends on the institution, program accreditation and your field.
How much does an online Psychology degree cost?
Compare total program cost, fees, transfer credit and any residency requirements. The per-credit price is only one part of the budget.
Can I transfer credits?
Often, yes, but the amount varies. Ask for a transfer evaluation in writing before you enroll.
Keep comparing
More rankings and guides for the decision in front of you.