School Psychology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Programs in School Psychology equip professionals to support student well-being through evidence-based psychological practices within educational settings. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of developmental science, assessment, and intervention to address academic, emotional, and behavioral challenges in children and adolescents.
- Child and Adolescent Development: Explores cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth across key developmental stages to inform psychological assessment and support strategies.
- Learning Theory: Examines foundational models of how individuals acquire, process, and retain knowledge, providing a basis for educational interventions.
- Psychological Assessment: Focuses on standardized testing, observational techniques, and data analysis to evaluate intelligence, academic achievement, personality, and motor skills.
- Disability and Disorder Identification: Teaches methods for recognizing and classifying conditions such as learning disabilities, ADHD, and emotional disorders that impact educational performance.
- Therapeutic Intervention: Develops skills in designing and delivering individual, group, and family-based strategies to promote mental health and behavioral improvement.
- Service Planning and Coordination: Prepares professionals to design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive psychological services within school environments.
- Supervised Clinical Practice: Provides hands-on experience in real-world school settings under professional guidance to build competence and confidence.
- Ethical and Legal Standards: Covers professional conduct, confidentiality, informed consent, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
School Psychology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
School Psychology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with School Psychology degrees, including Managers, All Other, School Psychologists and Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,078,770 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| School Psychologists 19-3034 | $86,930 | $60,880 - $132,320 | 63,830 | $41.79 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1066 | $80,330 | $47,870 - $158,900 | 41,610 | N/A |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors 21-1012 | $65,140 | $43,580 - $105,870 | 342,350 | $31.32 |
School Psychology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $67,260 in Arkansas to $122,460 in California—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,078,770 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for School Psychology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering School Psychology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in School Psychology is found at National University (NU) (103 graduates), Alliant International University, San Diego (71 graduates), Capella University (65 graduates), University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) (64 graduates), and Fresno Pacific University (FPU) (58 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,885 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National University (NU) |
Master's
|
103 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Alliant International University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
71 | San Diego, California | Private | alliant.edu |
| Capella University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
65 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) |
Master's
|
64 | Irvine, California | Public | umassglobal.edu |
| Fresno Pacific University (FPU) |
Master's
|
58 | Fresno, California | Private | fresno.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Fordham University |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
53 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Albizu University |
Master's
|
49 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | albizu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
48 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
47 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
45 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
45 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
44 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| Rowan University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
44 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Master's
|
44 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Temple University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
43 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
42 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
41 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | pcom.edu |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
40 | New Haven, Connecticut | Public | southernct.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
40 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Georgian Court University (GCU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
38 | Lakewood, New Jersey | Private | georgian.edu |
| William James College (MSPP) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
37 | Newton, Massachusetts | Private | williamjames.edu |
| Yeshiva University (YU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
37 | New York, New York | Private | yu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWL) |
Master's
|
37 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | uwlax.edu |
| Azusa Pacific University (APU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
36 | Azusa, California | Private | apu.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
36 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Master's
|
34 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) |
Master's
|
34 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | psm.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| National Louis University (NLU) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | nl.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
32 | California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Post-Master's
|
30 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| Alverno College |
Master's
|
30 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | alverno.edu |
| University of La Verne |
Master's
|
29 | La Verne, California | Private | laverne.edu |
| Adelphi University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
29 | Garden City, New York | Private | adelphi.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
28 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Master's
|
28 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| The Chicago School |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
28 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| Chapman University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Master's
|
26 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) |
Master's
|
26 | River Falls, Wisconsin | Public | uwrf.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Master's
|
25 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Master's
|
25 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Master's
|
24 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
24 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
24 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU Metro) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
23 | Teaneck, New Jersey | Private | fdu.edu |
| Kean University |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
23 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Master's
|
23 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Worcester State University (WSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
22 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | worcester.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Master's
|
22 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Master's
|
22 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| Fairfield University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
21 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
21 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Mercy University |
Master's
|
21 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| Miami University |
Master's
|
21 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Winthrop University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
21 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | winthrop.edu |
| Baylor University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
20 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Master's
|
20 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Eastern University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
20 | Saint Davids, Pennsylvania | Private | eastern.edu |
| Ottawa University (OU Online) |
Master's
|
20 | Overland Park, Kansas | Private | ottawa.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
19 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
19 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Public | mnstate.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| Lewis & Clark College |
Post-Master's
|
19 | Portland, Oregon | Private | lclark.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Master's
|
19 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Post-Master's
|
18 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
18 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| SUNY College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
18 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | plattsburgh.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
|
18 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Master's
|
18 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Governors State University (GSU) |
Master's
|
17 | University Park, Illinois | Public | govst.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Alfred University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Alfred, New York | Private | alfred.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
17 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Master's
|
16 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
16 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
16 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
|
16 | Tyler, Texas | Public | uttyler.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Master's
|
16 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Master's
|
15 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Rider University |
Post-Master's
|
15 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Master's
|
15 | Millersville, Pennsylvania | Public | millersville.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Master's
|
15 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Marshall University |
Post-Master's
|
15 | Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
| California State University (CSUMB) |
Master's
|
15 | Seaside, California | Public | csumb.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about School Psychology programs
How much can I earn with a School Psychology degree?
Salaries for School Psychology graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while School Psychologists earn around $86,930. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $122,460 compared to $67,260 in Arkansas. Approximately 1,078,770 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest School Psychology programs?
Currently 200 accredited institutions offer School Psychology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include National University (NU) (103 graduates), Alliant International University, San Diego (71 graduates), and Capella University (65 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in School Psychology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,905 in 2010 to 3,685 in 2023-24. This represents a 27% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a School Psychology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, School Psychologists, and Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 1,078,770 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Psychology Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Psychology field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Personality Psychology
A program that focuses on the unique organization of fairly permanent characteristics that set the individual apart from other individuals and, at the...
Behavioral Neuroscience
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the biological bases of behavior and psychological functioning, and their application to experimental and...
Social Psychology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of individual behavior in group contexts, group behavior, and associated phenomena. Includes instruction in social...
Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology
A program that focuses on the mathematical and statistical procedures used in psychological test construction and validation; the general problems of the measurement...
Psychopharmacology
A program that focuses on the study of the behavioral effects of medications, drugs, nutrients, and chemicals (including natural and artificial toxins) in...
Experimental Psychology
Any instructional program in research and experimental psychology not listed above.