Health Psychology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Health Psychology explores the intricate connections between mental well-being, physical health, and the social environments in which individuals live. This interdisciplinary field examines how psychological factors influence the onset, progression, and recovery from illness, emphasizing a holistic understanding grounded in the interplay of biological, behavioral, and societal elements.
- Abnormal and Social Psychology: Investigates patterns of behavior and thought that deviate from societal norms, as well as how social contexts shape individual health decisions and outcomes.
- Psychophysiology: Studies the physiological mechanisms underlying psychological processes, particularly how stress and emotions affect bodily functions like heart rate and immune response.
- Psychopharmacology: Focuses on the effects of medications on mental and emotional states, including their role in treating psychological and physical health conditions.
- Learning Processes: Explores how behavior is shaped through conditioning, reinforcement, and cognitive strategies, with applications in health behavior change and habit formation.
- Clinical and Behavioral Therapies: Applies evidence-based psychological techniques to modify maladaptive behaviors and improve health outcomes in clinical settings.
- Biopsychosocial Modeling: Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors into a comprehensive framework for understanding health and illness across the lifespan.
- Clinical Procedures and Assessment: Involves the systematic evaluation of psychological and behavioral factors affecting health, using standardized tools and diagnostic criteria.
- Preventive Education: Designs and implements strategies to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the risk of chronic diseases through informed behavioral choices.
- Psychotherapy: Applies therapeutic techniques to support emotional well-being, manage chronic conditions, and enhance coping mechanisms in individuals and groups.
- Rehabilitation Processes: Addresses psychological and behavioral aspects of recovery from injury, illness, or disability to restore function and quality of life.
- Research Methods: Equips students with rigorous quantitative and qualitative tools to investigate health-related behaviors, interventions, and outcomes in real-world contexts.
Health Psychology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Health Psychology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Health Psychology degrees, including Managers, All Other, Psychologists, All Other and Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. 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 762,570 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 |
| Psychologists, All Other 19-3039 | $117,580 | $51,410 - $163,570 | 17,790 | $56.53 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists 19-3033 | $95,830 | $50,470 - $170,150 | 72,190 | $46.07 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1066 | $80,330 | $47,870 - $158,900 | 41,610 | N/A |
Health Psychology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $78,020 in West Virginia to $134,845 in California—a 73% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Connecticut, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 762,570 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 Health Psychology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 23 institutions offering Health 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 Health Psychology is found at Eastern Washington University (EWU) (80 graduates), University of Missouri (Mizzou), Columbia (72 graduates), Central Michigan University (CMU) (62 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (47 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (40 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 447 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
80 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Other Award
|
72 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
47 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Other Award
|
40 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Northcentral University (NCU) |
Master's
|
25 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Salve Regina University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
20 | Newport, Rhode Island | Private | salve.edu |
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Master's
|
12 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Albizu University |
Master's
|
11 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | albizu.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| Northern Kentucky University (NKU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Public | nku.edu |
| Virginia State University (VSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Petersburg, Virginia | Public | vsu.edu |
| Faulkner University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Montgomery, Alabama | Private | faulkner.edu |
| University of Northwestern (UNW) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | unwsp.edu |
| Albright College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Private | albright.edu |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Belton, Texas | Private | go.umhb.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Health Psychology programs
How much can I earn with a Health Psychology degree?
Salaries for Health Psychology graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Psychologists, All Other earn around $117,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $134,845 compared to $78,020 in West Virginia. Approximately 762,570 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 Health Psychology programs?
Currently 23 accredited institutions offer Health Psychology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Eastern Washington University (EWU) (80 graduates), University of Missouri (Mizzou), Columbia (72 graduates), and Central Michigan University (CMU) (62 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 Health Psychology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 82 in 2010 to 447 in 2023-24. This represents a 445% 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 Health Psychology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Psychologists, All Other, and Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. Related occupations employ approximately 762,570 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.
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