Applied Psychology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Applied Psychology equips students with the knowledge and skills to implement psychological principles in practical, real-world environments across diverse sectors. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes evidence-based strategies to address complex human behavior challenges in organizational, educational, governmental, and community contexts.
- Applications of Psychology: The integration of psychological theories into practical solutions for improving individual and group performance in various professional settings.
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology: The study of workplace behavior, employee motivation, leadership dynamics, and organizational development to enhance productivity and job satisfaction.
- Developmental Psychology: Exploration of psychological growth and change across the lifespan, with applications in education, policy, and intervention design.
- Social Psychology: Analysis of how individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by social environments and group dynamics.
- Cognitive Psychology: Investigation into mental processes such as perception, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making, with relevance to user experience and human-computer interaction.
- Counseling: Techniques and approaches for supporting individuals through personal, emotional, and behavioral challenges in clinical and community settings.
- Human Factors: The science of optimizing human-system interactions to improve safety, efficiency, and usability in technology, design, and work environments.
- Research Methods and Statistics: Training in designing studies, collecting data, analyzing results, and interpreting findings to support informed decision-making and program improvement.
- Program Evaluation: Systematic assessment of interventions, policies, and services to measure effectiveness, guide improvements, and ensure accountability.
Applied Psychology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Applied Psychology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Applied Psychology degrees, including Managers, All Other, Psychologists, All Other 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 690,380 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 |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1066 | $80,330 | $47,870 - $158,900 | 41,610 | N/A |
Applied Psychology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $80,513 in West Virginia to $141,620 in California—a 76% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 690,380 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 Applied Psychology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 95 institutions offering Applied 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 Applied Psychology is found at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) (291 graduates), University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (256 graduates), Liberty University (241 graduates), Colorado Christian University (CCU) (178 graduates), and University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (153 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,998 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) |
Master's
|
291 | San Francisco, California | Private | ciis.edu |
University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Bachelor's
|
256 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
Liberty University |
Master's
|
241 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
Colorado Christian University (CCU) |
Bachelor's
|
178 | Lakewood, Colorado | Private | ccu.edu |
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
|
153 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
Boston College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
111 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
100 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
96 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
88 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | worldwide.erau.edu |
Capella University |
Master's
|
71 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
Farmingdale State College |
Bachelor's
|
63 | Farmingdale, New York | Public | farmingdale.edu |
SUNY Buffalo State University |
Bachelor's
|
60 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
SUNY College of Technology (SUNY Canton) |
Bachelor's
|
59 | Canton, New York | Public | canton.edu |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
55 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | daytonabeach.erau.edu |
University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Other Award
|
50 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
Indiana Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
|
50 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
Florida Institute of Technology |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
45 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
Pace University |
Bachelor's
|
43 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
Oregon Institute of Technology (OTI) |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Klamath Falls, Oregon | Public | oit.edu |
Pacific University |
Master's
|
42 | Forest Grove, Oregon | Private | pacificu.edu |
Long Island University (LIU) |
Master's
|
40 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
Los Angeles Pacific University (LAPU) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | San Dimas, California | Private | lapu.edu |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
Rutgers University |
Master's
|
38 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
Touro University Worldwide (TUW) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Los Alamitos, California | Private | tuw.edu |
Fielding Graduate University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
30 | Santa Barbara, California | Private | fielding.edu |
Angelo State University (ASU) |
Master's
|
30 | San Angelo, Texas | Public | angelo.edu |
Tarleton State University (TSU) |
Master's
|
27 | Stephenville, Texas | Public | tarleton.edu |
United States Military Academy (USMA) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | West Point, New York | Public | westpoint.edu |
Rider University |
Master's
|
25 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
Adler University |
Master's
|
22 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | adler.edu |
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Ship) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
22 | Shippensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | ship.edu |
University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
Northeastern University (NU) |
Master's
|
20 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
University of Mount Olive (UMO) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Mount Olive, North Carolina | Private | umo.edu |
Albright College |
Master's
|
20 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Private | albright.edu |
Belhaven University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Jackson, Mississippi | Private | belhaven.edu |
Colorado State University Global (CSU Global) |
Master's
|
19 | Aurora, Colorado | Public | csuglobal.edu |
Ottawa University |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Ottawa, Kansas | Private | ottawa.edu |
SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology (SUNY Cobleskill) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Cobleskill, New York | Public | cobleskill.edu |
SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
Biola University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
Boston University (BU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
Keystone College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | La Plume, Pennsylvania | Private | keystone.edu |
Francis Marion University (FMU) |
Master's
|
15 | Florence, South Carolina | Public | fmarion.edu |
College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Portland, Oregon | Private | warnerpacific.edu |
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) |
Master's
|
12 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | pcom.edu |
University of St Thomas |
Master's
|
12 | Houston, Texas | Private | stthom.edu |
Champlain College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Burlington, Vermont | Private | champlain.edu |
University of South Florida (USF) |
Master's
|
11 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
Bellevue University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Bellevue, Nebraska | Private | bellevue.edu |
City University of Seattle (CityU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Seattle, Washington | Private | cityu.edu |
Regis University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
Mount Saint Mary's University (MSMU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Los Angeles, California | Private | msmu.edu |
Southeastern University (SEU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
Rosemont College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Rosemont, Pennsylvania | Private | rosemont.edu |
Minnesota North College |
Associate's
|
7 | Hibbing, Minnesota | Public | minnesotanorth.edu |
Park University |
Other Award
|
7 | Parkville, Missouri | Private | park.edu |
College of Saint Mary (CSM) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | csm.edu |
Judson University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Elgin, Illinois | Private | judsonu.edu |
Mayville State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Mayville, North Dakota | Public | mayvillestate.edu |
Christian Brothers University (CBU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
6 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | cbu.edu |
Lamar University (LU) |
Master's
|
6 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
St. Mary's University |
Other Award
|
6 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | stmarytx.edu |
Northwest University (COEE) |
Master's
|
6 | Kirkland, Washington | Private | northwestu.edu |
Claremont Graduate University (CGU) |
Master's
|
5 | Claremont, California | Private | cgu.edu |
Santa Clara University (SCU) |
Master's
|
5 | Santa Clara, California | Private | scu.edu |
Wesleyan College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Macon, Georgia | Private | wesleyancollege.edu |
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | nobts.edu |
Clinton Community College |
Associate's
|
5 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | clinton.edu |
Fordham University |
Master's
|
5 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
Wichita State University (WSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
Oak Hills Christian College (OHCC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Private | oakhills.edu |
Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
|
4 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
University of Massachusetts |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
Union University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Prescott, Arizona | Private | prescott.erau.edu |
Point University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | West Point, Georgia | Private | point.edu |
Cornell College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Private | cornellcollege.edu |
University of New Orleans (UNO) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | new.uno.edu |
Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
University of Missouri-St Louis (UMSL) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Public | umsl.edu |
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
Malone University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Canton, Ohio | Private | malone.edu |
Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | gmercyu.edu |
George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
Texas A&M University (TAMUCT) |
Master's
|
2 | Killeen, Texas | Public | tamuct.edu |
University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Master's
|
1 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
Austin Peay State University (APSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Clarksville, Tennessee | Public | apsu.edu |
Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Applied Psychology programs
How much can I earn with a Applied Psychology degree?
Salaries for Applied 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 $141,620 compared to $80,513 in West Virginia. Approximately 690,380 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 Applied Psychology programs?
Currently 95 accredited institutions offer Applied Psychology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) (291 graduates), University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (256 graduates), and Liberty University (241 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 Applied Psychology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 109 in 2010 to 2,998 in 2023-24. This represents a 2,650% 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 Applied Psychology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Psychologists, All Other, and Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 690,380 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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