Best Psychology Programs in California for 2025
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Key Takeaways
- The top psychology programs in California are University of California-Irvine, University of California-Santa Cruz, and San Diego State University.
- Psychologists in California earn an average salary ranging from $96,000-$132,000, depending on their speciality.
- Licensing requires a doctoral degree, supervised clinical experience, specific exams, and a background check.
With over 500 colleges and universities in California, it can be daunting to try to narrow down your options. If you’re looking for the best colleges for psychology in California, check out our list of the best psychology programs in the Golden State. You can also find tips on what to consider when choosing a school to ensure you make the right decision for you.
Best Psychology Programs in California for 2025
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,522
- Out-of-state$45,096
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$26,802
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate26%
- Students Enrolled36,587
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
University of California-Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz, CA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$11,442
- Out-of-state$42,611
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$26,802
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled19,764
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
San Diego State University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$19,140
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate34%
- Students Enrolled37,539
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
California State University-Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,624
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$14,304
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled25,080
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
California State University-Stanislaus
- Turlock, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,662
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled9,845
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
California State University-Sacramento
- Sacramento, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled31,818
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
- Pomona, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled26,415
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
University of California-Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,478
- Out-of-state$47,052
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$26,802
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate9%
- Students Enrolled48,046
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- San Luis Obispo, CA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$11,880
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate30%
- Students Enrolled22,279
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
- Arcata, CA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled5,976
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Our Ranking Methodology
Psychology.org ranks education programs using data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education. Our vetting process also includes a quality assurance team that assesses datasets for accuracy.
Psychology.org reserves the right to exclude any schools that lack significant data from the rankings to ensure accurate calculations. This list is for 2025. For more about how Psychology.org evaluates and ranks education programs, visit our full ranking methodology.
What to Look for in a California College for Psychology
There are many factors to consider when choosing a college for psychology in California, including:
- Program Format: Do you want to attend your program online or on campus? Are you only able to take classes in the evenings or on weekends? Are you interested in earning your degree at an accelerated pace? Does the program schedule fit your needs?
- Concentration Availability: Do you want to specialize in a specific area in psychology? Does the school offer courses tailored to your interests?
- Accreditation: Make sure your psychology school or program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or another official accreditation agency. California has 34 APA-accredited Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs.
- Cost: What is the overall cost of earning your degree? Does the school offer financial aid options?
Salary and Career Outlook for Psychology Graduates in California
Like much of the country, California is currently experiencing a shortage of mental health care professionals, with only 24% of the state’s mental health needs met. Given this shortage and the positive employment growth projections for psychologists from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as shown below, it may be a good time to become a psychologist in California.
Psychologists earn a lucrative salary, often in the six-figure range. However, many psychologists in California need a doctoral degree and a state license, which requires many hours of supervised clinical experience and multiple exams.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Change in Employment 2020-2030 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $132,410 | 8.6% |
| School Psychologists | $96,530 | 8.6% |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $125,270 | 5.6% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $116,420 | 0.0% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $121,110 | 7.7% |
Licensing Requirements in California
Clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, and school psychologists all need to earn licensure in California before they can practice.
To earn licensure in California, psychologists must earn a doctoral degree and complete specific coursework that meets state requirements. They also need 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, with 1,500 of those hours occurring after they complete their doctorate.
Aspiring psychologists in California must then pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination (CPLEE). Finally, they must apply for licensure and pass a background check.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Colleges for Psychology in California
Yes, California has good psychology programs. California is home to many nationally and internationally recognized schools, such as Stanford, the California Institute of Technology, and schools in the University of California system.
