Best Psychology colleges in California 2026
Students interested in pursuing a degree in psychology can choose a variety of career paths in the field of therapy, developmental, and even industrial psychology. Specialists in the field of psychology observe clients, assess mental disorders, mediate familial relationships, and provide treatment plans. They can be employed at a hospital or medical clinic, though many psychologists open their private practices.
Students interested in becoming psychologists should note that while many schools in California offer a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, aspiring psychologists should pursue a master’s degree to further their knowledge and likelihood of landing a job post-graduation.
Students can earn their degree in psychology in-person or online, but many programs require in-person labs and professional internships to provide real-world experience and opportunities to observe current professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 17,000 psychologist positions in California with an abundance of jobs located in the San Francisco and Los Angeles metro areas
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the USBest Psychology colleges in California for 2026
University of Southern California offers 2 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 247 Psychology, General students graduated with students earning 238 Bachelor's degrees, and 9 Master's degrees.
University of California-Davis offers 3 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2024, 26 Psychology, General students graduated with students earning 18 Doctoral degrees, and 8 Master's degrees.
University of California-Santa Barbara offers 3 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize suburb.
Chapman University offers 1 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 162 Psychology, General students graduated with students earning 162 Bachelor's degrees.
University of California-Los Angeles offers 4 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 799 Psychology, General students graduated with students earning 721 Bachelor's degrees, 43 Doctoral degrees, and 35 Master's degrees.
University of California-Irvine offers 3 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 499 Psychology, General students graduated with students earning 499 Bachelor's degrees.
University of California-San Diego offers 3 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 380 Psychology, General students graduated with students earning 380 Bachelor's degrees.
Santa Clara University offers 1 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 112 Psychology, General students graduated with students earning 112 Bachelor's degrees.
Pepperdine University offers 2 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 290 Psychology, General students graduated with students earning 198 Master's degrees, and 92 Bachelor's degrees.
University of California-Santa Cruz offers 3 Psychology, General degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 524 Psychology, General students graduated with students earning 507 Bachelor's degrees, 9 Master's degrees, and 8 Doctoral degrees.
Find local colleges with Psychology majors in California
List of all Psychology colleges in California
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | 21 : 1 | 46,566 | |
|
University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 23 : 1 | 40,065 | |
|
University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | 24 : 1 | 26,133 | |
|
Chapman University Orange, CA | 17 : 1 | 9,760 | |
|
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 23 : 1 | 47,335 | |