Best Psychology Undergraduate Programs

According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), more common than natural sciences, astrophysics, mathematics, engineering, electrical engineering, and other social sciences, psychology is the most popular major among the unique fields within science and technology. Since the early 1990s, the percentage of college students majoring in psychology has increased approximately 6 to 6.5 percent, rising from the previous 4 to 5 percent in the 1980s. Needless to say, the popularity of psychology did not stop in the 1990s, and it has since seen constant growth.

Choosing psychology as a major during undergraduate studies certainly opens a vast range of career options. However, it is important to remember that psychology is not just an art but also a science and hence requires further studies before it can be practiced as a career. To put it simply, at an undergraduate level, students only learn the basics of Psychology, beginning with the introduction of the subject and the other subjects that constitute Psychology.

The following is the list of top universities in the US for the best psychology undergraduate program.

Top Universities Offering Undergraduate Programs in Psychology

1

Harvard University

• Harvard University is arguably the top university to study any degree in the United States. The argument is no different when it comes to the subject of Psychology. It is well-known that Harvard University provides an exceptional education to the students who can get accepted by the university and provides an academic experience unlike any other. The university trains its students to face the professional world head-on by mixing real-life examples, research, and studies together - no matter the degree's concentration.
• The university provides four different tracks for undergraduate psychology programs - General track, Cognitive Neuroscience and Evolutionary Psychology Track, Cognitive Science Track, and Secondary Field in Psychology
• Students must have completed a laboratory course by the conclusion of their third year to pursue a thesis, typically requiring a commitment of 10-12 hours per week in the lab.
• The tuition fee for the university's undergraduate psychology programs is $57,000.

2

Columbia University

• Columbia University is another renowned private university in the United States. The university is known widely for its world-class education and educational facilities and for standing on the same rank as other Ivy League universities such as MIT. Columbia University is also well-received for its research in different fields of concentration, namely science and business.
• Columbia University provides a Psych/Neuro Senior Thesis Advanced Research program open to students majoring in Psychology or Neuroscience & Behavior, as well as a major in Psychology.
• The Psych/Neuro Senior Thesis Advanced Research program includes a two-hour, one-credit Senior Thesis Advanced Research Seminar, Senior Thesis Research, Research Methods Course, and Senior Thesis.
• To qualify for the Psychology Major, candidates must finish 11 courses in Psychology or a related discipline with a minimum of 3 points. A minimum of 6 out of the 11 courses must be taken within the Columbia Psychology Department.
• These 11 courses are an introductory Psychology Course, One Statistics course, One Research Methods course, One Group I Course, One Group II Course, One Group III Course, One course meeting the Seminar requirement, one course meeting the integrative/applied Special Elective requirement, Enough PSYC electives to complete 11 courses.
• The tuition fee for the undergraduate psychology programs at the university is $2,200 per point.

3

Stanford University

• Stanford University is one of the oldest and most reputed universities in the United States. Established in 1885, the university has been recognized for its academics and high student admissions. Moreover, the university has made a long-lasting mark in the area of research, and its findings have been regarded as essential information that has contributed heavily to the betterment of society.
• At Stanford University, students can pursue Honors, a major, or a minor in psychology.
• Students must complete at least 70 units of coursework in Psychology with a grade of C- or higher, with at least 60 units completed within the Department of Psychology, to officially declare psychology as their major.
• To qualify for the Honors program, psychology majors must finish three-quarters of Honors Research, complete the Honors Thesis, and deliver a presentation at the Honors Convention.
• The tuition fee for undergraduate psychology programs at the university is $21,000 per quarter.

4

Yale University

• Yale University is one of the popular private universities in the United States. The university is popular for its academics, high employee turnover, and groundbreaking research in several fields of Health & Science.
• Yale University provides a Psychology major program for both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.
• The psychology major necessitates the completion of an introductory psychology course, senior requirements, and 12 other courses, which must include either Statistics or Introduction to Statistics: Social Sciences, two social science courses, two natural science courses, one research methods course, and four electives.
• The senior requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree necessitate completing either two empirical courses, one empirical course, and one nonempirical research course. Conversely, to earn a Bachelor of Science degree, students must complete two empirical research courses.
• The university's undergraduate psychology program tuition fee is $67,000.

5

Princeton University

• Princeton University is one of the most reputed universities in the United States. The university is popular not only for its academics and high employee turnover but also for its research and faculty, which enhance the university.
• Princeton University offers the option for students to major in Psychology and obtain a bachelor's degree.
• To officially choose psychology as their major, students must finish at least three prerequisite courses. These courses include Quantitative Methods and one of the following options: Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Functional Neuroanatomy, or Fundamentals of Neuroscience.
• To obtain a psychology degree, students must finish at least eight departmental courses in addition to the prerequisite courses outlined earlier.
• The tuition fee for the undergraduate psychology programs at Princeton University is $62,000.

Career Prospects after Majoring in Psychology

The job outlook for individuals who have pursued a psychology major in the US is generally positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of psychologists is projected to grow 6% from 2019 to 2029, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Psychologists in the US earn a median annual salary of $93,000, which equates to $45 per hour. The demand for psychologists is expected to increase as people continue to seek mental health services and as more organizations recognize the importance of mental health in the workplace. Additionally, individuals with a psychology background may find opportunities in various industries, making it a versatile and in-demand field.