For those interested in how the human mind works and who may want to pursue a career in a human services field or further psychology-related graduate work, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology may be an excellent choice. The field of psychology opens the door to a variety of opportunities and prepares students for careers as psychologists, human resources managers, addictions counselors, school counselors, social researchers and more. Below is a list of schools that offer an online bachelor’s degree in Psychology taking only cost into consideration. These are the cheapest online bachelor programs in Psychology, including both the bachelor of science and the bachelor of arts degrees. Program tuition does not include fees — check with the institution for a complete list of costs. Our data was taken from the university websites.
#1. Aspen University
Aspen University is an entirely online university based in the United States that offers flexible 10-week courses at an affordable tuition rate with the option of monthly payments. Their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling requires 120 credit hours for completion and prepares students for a career in addiction counseling. While this program covers specific areas related to addiction counseling such as assessment, treatment, and prevention of substance abuse, it also focuses on foundational concepts of psychology, sociology, individual and family counseling theory and healthcare ethics. Persons pursuing this degree will also have the opportunity to tailor their coursework to their own educational and career goals by choosing from a variety of courses to complete their degree such as Child Psychology, Social Work as a Profession, and Juvenile Justice. There are three proctored exams needed to finish the program but no travel is required and most students finish the degree within five years. Applications are accepted year round.
Accreditation: Aspen University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
Program Tuition: $18,000
#2. California Coast University
Based in Santa Ana, CA, California Coast University is a private for-profit university that enrolls approximately 8,000 students each year in programs ranging from associate’s degrees to doctoral degrees. They offer low tuition rates with no-interest payment plans beginning as low as $100 per month. Their Bachelor of Science in Psychology program is designed with flexibility in mind, offering a self-paced learning program that can be started at any time of the year and is not structured in semesters, quarters, or terms. The degree requires 126 credit hours with 14 classes each in core courses, general education, and in electives. Required courses for this program include Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Marriage and Family, Environmental Science, Criminology, and Art History, while students may choose from an array of electives including Business Communications, Business Law and Ethics, and Forensic Science.
Accreditation: California Coast University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
Program Tuition: $18,900
#3. Fort Valley State University
A part of the University of Georgia system, Fort Valley State University is a historically black university located in Fort Valley, GA. Each year it enrolls approximately 4,000 students and offers five online degree programs in addition to traditional programs. FVSU’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree requires 125 credits for completion, up to 90 of which may be transferred. This program prepares graduates for careers in psychology-related fields or for further graduate study in psychology or related degrees. While this program is offered entirely online it does follow the traditional semester schedule.
Accreditation: Fort Valley State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Program Tuition: $23,625
#4. Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University is an online university based in Orange Beach, AL that offers open enrollment, affordable tuition rates, and a flexible learning style. Founded in 1993, CSU offers 26 different degrees at the associate, bachelor, and master’s degree levels. Their Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree is designed to be interdisciplinary and integrates general and applied science, research methods, health care management, technical writing, and human relations and development. Graduates finish the program with a strong theoretical knowledge of the science of psychology as well as with the skills needed to succeed in a psychology related career. This 120 credit program allows for 51 credits to be chosen from a wide range of electives, and takes an estimated 5 years to complete.
Accreditation: Columbia Southern University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
Program Tuition: $25,200
#5. Fort Hays State University
A public university based in Hays, KS, Fort Hays State University enrolls approximately 11,200 students each year, 6,000 of which are enrolled in online degree programs through the “Virtual College.” The “Virtual College,” which began in 1999, currently offers 19 bachelor’s degrees and 10 master’s degrees entirely online. FHSU offers both a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. The BA and the BS degrees have the same core requirements but the BA requires 10 credits in a modern foreign language while the BS requires 20 credits in Natural Sciences and/or Mathematics, part of which are fulfilled within the general education requirements. Core requirements for both degrees include General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Child and Developmental Psychology, Applied Statistics, and Neuropsychology. Electives include Human Sexuality, Drug and Behavior, Forensic Psychology, and Introduction to Therapeutic Skills. Both degrees have an emphasis on experiential learning and require a total of 124 credits for graduation.
Accreditation: Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Program Tuition: $25,697
#6. Oregon Institute of Technology
The Oregon Institute of Technology, also known as Oregon Tech, is a public university with several campuses in Oregon and one in Seattle. Oregon Tech offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology giving students the opportunity to tailor the program to their particular career or further education interests. Building on a strong core curriculum that is designed to meet the American Psychological Association standards, including courses on Abnormal Psych, Social Psych, Counseling Psych, Behavior Modification, and Research Methods, this degree program also makes room for a wide range of electives and an applied psychology externship. The externship pairs students with agencies, organizations, or businesses in their own town or state so there is no long-distance travel required. Alternatively, students may choose to fulfill the applied requirement through independent study projects or research. Oregon Tech follows a traditional semester calendar but the externship may be completed during any term, including the summer.
Accreditation: Oregon Institute of Technology is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Program Tuition: $27,467
#7. Peru State College
Founded in 1865 and located in Peru, Nebraska, Peru State College is the oldest institution in Nebraska. Their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree is designed to prepare graduates for a career in human services or for further graduate study in a psychology-related field. Core requirements include Human Growth and Development, Social Psychology, Research Methods, Psychology of Personality, and Abnormal Psychology. Electives offer a wide range of courses including Criminology, Victimology, Comparative Justice and Human Services Systems, Diversity Issues in Counseling and International Field Study. While the traditional campus operates on a semester schedule, Peru State College offers its online students flexible start dates throughout the year and the choice between 8-week and 16-week sessions. There is also no fee to apply.
Accreditation: Peru State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Program Tuition: $31,200
#8. American Public University
American Public University is an entirely online university that offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates to 96,000 students. Despite it’s large student body, the average undergraduate class size is 19 students and classes begin every month, running for 8-week or 16-week sessions. APU’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree requires 121 credits for completion, allowing students to transfer up to 91 credits, and takes an average of four years to complete as a full-time student. While this degree provides a foundation in core concepts such as abnormal and developmental psychology and research methods, it also emphasizes applied psychology in vocational, personal, academic and clinical settings. Electives include Human Sexuality, Infant-Toddler Development, Psychology of Combat and Psychology of Terrorism. While textbooks are often covered under a book grant for each student, access to the analytics software, Statistics Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), is required and not covered in the cost of tuition.
Accreditation: American Public University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Program Tuition: $32,670
#9. Columbia College
Located in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College is a private liberal arts and sciences college that offers associate, bachelor, and master’s degree programs both on campus and online. Their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree prepares students for careers in community agencies either in the public or private sector upon graduation or for further graduate study. The degree requires 120 credits for completion and offers the option of a Sports Psychology Emphasis with courses such as Psychology of Sport and Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology that count toward major electives. Before graduation all students must complete an Integrative Seminar and a comprehensive exit interview.
Accreditation: Columbia College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Program Tuition: $34,800
#10. Lynn University
Lynn University is an independent non-profit university based in Boca Raton, FL. It’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree offers a firm foundation in core concepts within the field of psychology, such as Abnormal Psych, Developmental Psych, and Personality Theory while also allowing students to focus on their particular interests and goals from the very first semester. In addition to choosing from a wide range of courses, students also have the opportunity to participate with faculty in their research and are encouraged to have their work published in academic journals. This degree program enables students to apply theoretical knowledge in every class while also grasping the foundational concepts of the field and the art of counseling. Lynn University’s program, “iLynn,” gives students the option of taking accelerated terms with easy transfer of college credits, and with no SAT/ACT required for admission.
Accreditation: Lynn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Program Tuition: $35,400