If you’re looking into schools for psychology in New York, you have a lot to think about. There are many schools to choose from. While a number of the degree requirements are similar, every school is unique in what it offers and what it requires.
Additionally, the prices of the best schools for psychology in New York can vary a great deal. You don’t want to base your choice only on the cost of your schooling, but it’s still an important aspect that you’ll want to take into account.
You should also consider the acceptance percentage for the schools you’re thinking about applying to, the number of students at the school, and any notable faculty who teach there. You may already have some college credits elsewhere, too, and it’s important to find a school that will take those credits.
If you’ve already completed some prerequisites that can help you get through your degree program faster, and potentially with a lower cost. Here are some great schools to choose from for your psychology studies.
List of Best Psychology Schools in New York
Barnard College
Barnard College is a not-for-profit, private university in New York, NY. More than 600 bachelor’s degree candidates are enrolled at the school, which has a net price of just over $71,000. Admission criteria for Barnard College is more competitive than at some other schools for psychology in New York, with just 15% of applicants being accepted.
Baruch College
Located in New York, NY, Baruch College is a public institution with a 41% acceptance rate. This college is also among the lowest in cost, with the average cost after aid being just over $2,200. Students without financial aid can expect to pay costs similar to other colleges in the area. The graduation rate for this school is 70% for full-time undergraduate students.
Binghamton University, SUNY
Based out of Vestal, NY, Binghamton University is a public university. There are more than 2,700 students enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program at this school, which has a net price of around $26,000. While it is easier to get into than some other schools in the area it is still relatively competitive, with an acceptance rate of 40%.
Brooklyn College
Located in Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn College is a public university. It is a part of the City University of New York educational system, and has an acceptance rate of 50%. This makes it one of the easier colleges to get into, especially for students who want to stay in New York City for their educational experience. The graduation rate is 56%, and average cost after aid is $3,000.
Colgate University
Colgate University is based in Hamilton, and has an average net price of just under $70,000. With an acceptance rate of 28% it is one of the more difficult schools to get into. More than 770 students are in the bachelor’s degree program for psychology at this private, not-for-profit school.
College of Staten Island
The College of Staten Island is a public college that doesn’t have a listed acceptance rate, but its graduation rate is 31%. This indicates that the majority of the students who attend this school don’t graduate from there, but they may transfer their credits to other institutions to complete their studies. With an average, after-aid cost under $6,000, this is one of the more affordable schools for those who receive financial aid.
Columbia University
If you want to attend college right in New York, NY, Columbia University is one of the options to consider. It is a private, not-for-profit educational institution with an acceptance rate of just 6%. This is a competitive school that many applicants find it difficult to get into. More than 1,500 students are enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program there, which has a net price of approximately $75,000.
Cornell University
Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University offers a quality education with a 12% acceptance rate. As one of the more competitive schools, this private, not-for-profit university has a net price of around $70,000. It’s a popular school with a larger number of students, and enrollment in the psychology bachelor’s program includes more than 3,300 students.
CUNY Brooklyn
CUNY (City University of New York) is a large college system in New York, with one of its campuses being in Brooklyn. CUNY Brooklyn is a public educational institution with an urban setting and a 50% acceptance rate. That makes this school relatively competitive, but still one of the easier schools to get into. The school is innovative, with a focus on liberal arts, and is one of the popular schools for psychology in New York.
Fordham University
As a private, not-for-profit school based in the Bronx, this educational institution has over 2,200 students enrolled in its bachelor’s degree program. As one of the most popular schools for psychology in New York, it’s somewhat easier to get into with an acceptance rate of 46%. The net price of attending Fordham University is just over $72,000.
Hamilton College
More than 480 students attend the bachelor’s degree program at Hamilton College, where the net price is approximately $68,000. This private, not-for-profit institution is located in Clinton, New York, and has a somewhat competitive criteria for acceptance, with a rate of just 24%.
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private educational institution located in Hempstead, New York. It’s the biggest private university on Long Island, and has a 69% acceptance rate. With a graduation rate of 62% and an after-aid net cost of around $34,000, Hofstra can be a good choice for students who are serious about pursuing a degree in psychology in the New York area.
Hunter College
New York City’s Hunter College is a public institution offering a 40% acceptance rate and a 59% graduation rate. Cost after aid is just over $2,100, making this option one of the more affordable ones when it comes to schools for psychology in New York. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs.
Kingsborough Community College
As a public, two-year college, Kingsborough is the only community college in Brooklyn. The average cost after aid is just over $6,000, with in-state tuition of $5,200. Since it’s a community college it doesn’t have the same acceptance criteria and prerequisite qualifications as the larger, four-year universities. That can make it an excellent place to start on the road to a psychology degree.
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private university that has two main campuses. The average undergraduate tuition is more than $32,000, and the school has an acceptance rate of nearly 90%. The graduate rate is low, at just over 30%, which may indicate students transferring their credits to other institutions to continue their psychology journey.
New York University
New York University is located right in New York City, and this private, not-for-profit university has an acceptance rate of 27%. This makes it one of the more competitive schools for psychology in New York. With more than 6,000 students enrolled in its bachelor’s degree program, the school is large enough to accommodate a significant number of students. Net price for an education there is around $72,000.
Pace University
As a private institution with its main campus in New York City, Pace University has an 83% acceptance rate. The graduation rate for this school is 56%, with an average cost after aid of $30,000. The high acceptance rate makes this one of the popular schools for psychology in New York, as there are opportunities for a customized education that helps students meet their educational goals.
Queens College
Queens College is part of the City University of New York system. It’s a public college, located in Queens, with a 53% acceptance rate. The graduation rate for this school is 59%, and the average student cost after financial aid is just under $3,500. Psychology is one of the main areas of study for those seeking a degree from this school.
Saint John’s University
As a private university in Queens, New York, St. John’s University offers many opportunities for students wanting to pursue psychology as a degree field. The school has an acceptance rate of 75%, with a 61% graduation rate. After-aid costs are approximately $27,000. The school was founded in 1870 and carries a rich history and tradition.
Skidmore College
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY, Skidmore College offers a competitive enrollment with a 24% acceptance rate. It is a private, not-for-profit university with a net price of just under $70,000. Just over 660 students are enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program for psychology there.
Stony Brook University, SUNY
Stony Brook University is officially called the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and operates as a public research university. It is a flagship SUNY school, along with the Buffalo campus. The school is somewhat competitive with a 49% acceptance rate, and offers a high graduation rate of 74%. The after cost of attendance after financial aid is $16,000.
Syracuse University
As a private, not-for-profit school, Syracuse University has a cost of attendance of around $35,000 after financial aid. It offers a 69% acceptance rate and a graduation rate of 83%. The school was founded in 1870 and is a private research university that is made up of thirteen different colleges and schools.
The City College of New York
This school has an acceptance rate of 51%, making it relatively competitive but still providing many opportunities for students who want to attend there for a psychology degree. The graduation rate is 56%, and the average cost of schooling after financial aid is just over $2,800. This is a public, four-year university, founded in 1847.
Touro University
Touro University is a private Jewish university located in New York City. Founded in 1971, it’s a part of the Touro University System. It has a cost after financial aid of around $22,000 and an acceptance rate of 76%, with a 49% graduation rate. There are both undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.
Union College
Located in Schenectady, New York, Union College is a private school founded in 1795. It’s primarily a liberal arts college and has an after-aid cost of approximately $33,000. The school is relatively competitive, offering a 41% acceptance rate and a graduation rate of 87%. This indicates that many of the students accepted to this school complete their education there, as opposed to transferring credits to other institutions.
University at Albany, SUNY
Located in Albany, NY this public, four-year college is part of the State University of New York educational system. The acceptance rate for the school is 57%, with a graduation rate of 64%. After financial aid, the average cost of attendance there is $18,000. There are several campuses for SUNY, including the public research university at Albany.
University of Buffalo, SUNY
As a public research university and part of the State University of New York system, University of Buffalo, SUNY offers a 67% acceptance rate and 74% graduation rate. The cost for attending school there is approximately $19,000 after financial aid. The Buffalo campus is one of several linked campuses throughout the SUNY system.
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY, and is a private, not-for-profit school offering an acceptance rate of 34%. More than 1,550 students are enrolled in the psychology bachelor’s degree program there. The net price for attending this school is just over $70,000.
Vassar College
As a private, not-for-profit college in Poughkeepsie, New York, Vassar has more than 620 students enrolled in its psychology bachelor’s degree program. The net price of attendance is just over $70,000, and the school is competitive, with an acceptance rate of only 23%.
Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University has four campuses in New York City. This private Orthodox Jewish university has a high acceptance rate of 67%, and a net price of around $40,000 after any grants and other aid offered. The graduation rate is 80%, and those looking for an Orthodox educational experience can find it here.
Psychology Degree Salary in New York
The median psychologist salary in New York is around $90,000, according to PayScale.com. The length of time a person has been working in that field, where in New York they’re employed, and other factors can all come into play when determining how much you can make with a psychology degree in the New York area. Those who work right in New York City, for example, can generally expect to make a higher salary than those who work in small towns.
Right out of school a person may not make as much with their psychology degree, but they can generally expect to see their salary rise as they get more experience in their field. If you choose a degree in psychology it’s important to understand what kind of salary you can expect for the area you live in, whether you would be willing to relocate throughout the state for opportunities, and other factors that might influence your degree path.
What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree?
Working as a psychologist is the most common expectation for people with a psychology degree, but there’s more you can do with this education. Working in human resources is also an option for someone who has a psychology degree, as is working in an organization such as a large corporation. Not everyone who provides therapist or psychologist services is independent or sees a number of clients. Sometimes they work for a particular company and focus solely on the employees there.
Working in a school is another common option, and some people who have a psychology degree will also choose to get involved in research that can advance the field and provide more insight into the future of the profession. Researching the human mind can be a fascinating way to get information that can be used to help people in the future, and it can be very rewarding to be on the cutting edge of new treatment methods and understanding about mental health.
Psychology Degree Job Outlook in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the job outlook for those with a psychology degree is a good one. Overall employment growth in the field is anticipated to be around 6%, which is roughly the same as most other jobs. There will continue to be job openings for psychologists as more people need mental health support services and current psychologists retire. In New York and other larger metropolitan areas the outlook will remain strong, as a higher population means more demand for services.
How Much Does a Psychology Degree Cost?
A psychology degree can vary significantly in cost, depending on where the degree is obtained, what kind of financial aid is offered, and whether there are any scholarships provided. Without financial aid or other support, attending a private university can cost in the range of around $70,000. Financial aid and other help at a public university could bring the cost down to just a few thousand dollars. The cost of the degree shouldn’t be the only consideration, but it is important to be aware of when choosing a school.
You want to make sure you’re selecting a good school that has a quality reputation and a strong graduation rate, but that offers a reasonable acceptance rate to improve your chances. There are many options for quality educational experiences in the New York area, which gives you the opportunity to receive a psychology degree that fits your budget and also helps you attend the school that’s most important to you and fits the goals you have for your education.
Psychology Degree Scholarship Information
The good news for anyone who wants to attend a New York college or university for a psychology degree is that there are many ways to offset or lower the cost of attendance. Scholarships are among the best ways to do that, and can provide you with a way to pay for part or all of your schooling. When coupled with other forms of financial aid you may be able to pay very little to complete your degree. That can be highly valuable as a way to move forward with your career goals.
Psychology Degree Requirements
While every school may have their own specific requirements, there are some basics you can expect when seeking admission into a psychology degree program. These typically include high school transcripts and a diploma or GED. You should also have two to five recommendations, and a writing sample. Some schools want that sample to be a personal statement of your intent with the program, while other schools may ask for a different type of essay.
Additionally, the ACT/SAT are common requirements for getting into a psychology program. These standardized tests are required by the vast majority of colleges and universities, so preparing for one or both of them is a good idea. If you’re going to be on campus and not taking online classes, you’ll likely also need to show your immunization records, and you may be required to get additional vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella, tetanus, and other potential illnesses.
Common Courses in Psychology Degree Programs
You can expect to take basic core classes if you haven’t already, along with classes such as forensic psychology, social psychology, counseling psychology, child psychology, and clinical psychology. You’ll also learn about the history of the profession, statistics, experimental psychology, and abnormal psychology. Once you’ve taken all the basic psychology classes, you’ll also have the classes that are common to any particular branch of psychology you’re planning to pursue.
For example, if you want to work with children, you’ll have more classes that focus on child psychology and development. If you’re looking specifically to work with research-based information, you’ll likely learn more about statistics and related details. Even though every school can create and set its own curriculum, you’ll find that many of them are very similar because psychology has specific requirements for licensure and practice. The courses that allow for this all have to be similar, or they won’t be accepted.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Psychology Degree Program?
Completing a psychology degree program typically takes four years for a bachelor’s degree. An associate’s degree would be a two-year program, and if you plan on a graduate degree, you’ll probably spend six years or longer in school. A lot of people stop at a bachelor’s degree, but your options there will be limited. If you intend to be a licensed psychologist, for example, you’ll need to pursue a master’s degree at a minimum. But there are still plenty of jobs you can qualify for with a bachelor’s degree in the field.
Ready to get started on your degree journey? Find out more about the best online colleges in New York today.