UnisHub University Compass

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)

2,998
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
95
Universities & Colleges
3
Career Pathways

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

Salary Comparison

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 Admissions Location Control Website
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)
Master's
291 N/A San Francisco, California Private ciis.edu
University of Phoenix (UOPX)
Bachelor's
256 N/A Phoenix, Arizona Private phoenix.edu
Liberty University
Master's
241 N/A Lynchburg, Virginia Private liberty.edu
Colorado Christian University (CCU)
Bachelor's
178 N/A Lakewood, Colorado Private ccu.edu
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
Bachelor's
153 SAT: 1120-1340
ACT: 25-32
Chicago, Illinois Public uic.edu
Boston College (BC)
Bachelor's
111 SAT: 1430-1540
ACT: 33-34
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Private bc.edu
University of Southern California (USC)
Master's
100 SAT: 1440-1550
ACT: 32-35
Los Angeles, California Private usc.edu
Arizona State University
Bachelor's
Master's
96 N/A Scottsdale, Arizona Public asu.edu
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Postbac Cert.
Master's
88 SAT: 1070-1260
ACT: 24-32
Daytona Beach, Florida Private worldwide.erau.edu
Capella University
Master's
71 N/A Minneapolis, Minnesota Private capella.edu
Farmingdale State College (FSC)
Bachelor's
63 SAT: 1020-1200
ACT: 19-27
Farmingdale, New York Public farmingdale.edu
SUNY Buffalo State University
Bachelor's
60 SAT: 960-1190 Buffalo, New York Public suny.buffalostate.edu
SUNY College of Technology (SUNY Canton)
Bachelor's
59 N/A Canton, New York Public canton.edu
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
55 SAT: 1140-1350
ACT: 24-30
Daytona Beach, Florida Private daytonabeach.erau.edu
University of Pennsylvania (Penn)
Other Award
50 SAT: 1500-1570
ACT: 34-35
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Private upenn.edu
Indiana Wesleyan University
Bachelor's
50 N/A Marion, Indiana Private indwes.edu
Florida Institute of Technology
Associate's
Bachelor's
45 N/A Melbourne, Florida Private fit.edu
Pace University
Bachelor's
43 SAT: 1130-1328
ACT: 24-29
New York, New York Private pace.edu
Oregon Institute of Technology (OTI)
Bachelor's
43 SAT: 1045-1300
ACT: 22-26
Klamath Falls, Oregon Public oit.edu
Pacific University
Master's
42 SAT: 990-1240
ACT: 17-28
Forest Grove, Oregon Private pacificu.edu
Long Island University (LIU)
Master's
40 SAT: 1140-1350
ACT: 25-30
Brookville, New York Private liu.edu
Los Angeles Pacific University (LAPU)
Bachelor's
40 N/A San Dimas, California Private lapu.edu
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU)
Bachelor's
38 N/A Tempe, Arizona Public asu.edu
Rutgers University
Master's
38 SAT: 1270-1480
ACT: 28-33
New Brunswick, New Jersey Public newbrunswick.rutgers.edu
Touro University Worldwide (TUW)
Doctorate (R)
32 N/A Los Alamitos, California Private tuw.edu
Fielding Graduate University
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
30 N/A Santa Barbara, California Private fielding.edu
Angelo State University (ASU)
Master's
30 SAT: 920-1140
ACT: 17-24
San Angelo, Texas Public angelo.edu
Tarleton State University (TSU)
Master's
27 SAT: 960-1150
ACT: 19-24
Stephenville, Texas Public tarleton.edu
United States Military Academy (USMA)
Bachelor's
26 SAT: 1200-1430
ACT: 28-33
West Point, New York Public westpoint.edu
Rider University
Master's
25 SAT: 1100-1310
ACT: 22-29
Lawrenceville, New Jersey Private rider.edu
Adler University
Master's
22 N/A Chicago, Illinois Private adler.edu
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Ship)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
22 SAT: 990-1210 Shippensburg, Pennsylvania Public ship.edu
University of Pittsburgh
Master's
Doctorate (R)
21 SAT: 1270-1450
ACT: 29-33
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Public pitt.edu
Northeastern University (NU)
Master's
20 SAT: 1460-1550
ACT: 33-35
Boston, Massachusetts Private northeastern.edu
University of Mount Olive (UMO)
Bachelor's
20 ACT: 17-22 Mount Olive, North Carolina Private umo.edu
Albright College
Master's
20 N/A Reading, Pennsylvania Private albright.edu
Belhaven University
Bachelor's
19 ACT: 18-23 Jackson, Mississippi Private belhaven.edu
Colorado State University Global (CSU Global)
Master's
19 N/A Aurora, Colorado Public csuglobal.edu
Ottawa University
Bachelor's
18 SAT: 880-1140
ACT: 16-21
Ottawa, Kansas Private ottawa.edu
SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology (SUNY Cobleskill)
Bachelor's
17 SAT: 990-1170 Cobleskill, New York Public cobleskill.edu
SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville)
Bachelor's
17 N/A Morrisville, New York Public morrisville.edu
Biola University
Bachelor's
16 SAT: 1130-1360
ACT: 24-30
La Mirada, California Private biola.edu
Boston University (BU)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
16 SAT: 1400-1520
ACT: 32-34
Boston, Massachusetts Private bu.edu
Keystone College
Bachelor's
15 SAT: 910-1130 La Plume, Pennsylvania Private keystone.edu
Francis Marion University (FMU)
Master's
15 SAT: 900-1138
ACT: 17-23
Florence, South Carolina Public fmarion.edu
College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
14 N/A Las Vegas, Nevada Public csn.edu
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS)
Bachelor's
14 N/A Portland, Oregon Private warnerpacific.edu
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN)
Bachelor's
12 N/A Winona, Minnesota Private smumn.edu
Northampton County Area Community College (NCC)
Associate's
12 N/A Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Public northampton.edu
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
Master's
12 N/A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Private pcom.edu
University of St Thomas
Master's
12 SAT: 1075-1340
ACT: 22-28
Houston, Texas Private stthom.edu
Champlain College
Bachelor's
12 SAT: 1165-1340
ACT: 27-31
Burlington, Vermont Private champlain.edu
University of South Florida (USF)
Master's
11 SAT: 1140-1330
ACT: 24-29
Tampa, Florida Public usf.edu
Bellevue University
Bachelor's
11 N/A Bellevue, Nebraska Private bellevue.edu
City University of Seattle (CityU)
Bachelor's
11 N/A Seattle, Washington Private cityu.edu
Regis University
Bachelor's
10 N/A Denver, Colorado Private regis.edu
Mount Saint Mary's University (MSMU)
Bachelor's
9 N/A Los Angeles, California Private msmu.edu
Southeastern University (SEU)
Bachelor's
9 N/A Lakeland, Florida Private seu.edu
Loyola University Chicago (LUC)
Bachelor's
9 SAT: 1160-1340
ACT: 27-31
Chicago, Illinois Private luc.edu
Rosemont College
Bachelor's
9 N/A Rosemont, Pennsylvania Private rosemont.edu
Minnesota North College
Associate's
7 N/A Hibbing, Minnesota Public minnesotanorth.edu
Park University
Other Award
7 N/A Parkville, Missouri Private park.edu
College of Saint Mary (CSM)
Bachelor's
7 ACT: 18-24 Omaha, Nebraska Private csm.edu
Judson University
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 860-1080
ACT: 16-23
Elgin, Illinois Private judsonu.edu
Mayville State University (MSU)
Bachelor's
6 N/A Mayville, North Dakota Public mayvillestate.edu
Christian Brothers University (CBU)
Associate's
Bachelor's
6 SAT: 1040-1300
ACT: 18-23
Memphis, Tennessee Private cbu.edu
Lamar University (LU)
Master's
6 SAT: 910-1130
ACT: 18-24
Beaumont, Texas Public lamar.edu
St. Mary's University
Other Award
6 SAT: 980-1150
ACT: 16-23
San Antonio, Texas Private stmarytx.edu
Northwest University (COEE)
Master's
6 N/A Kirkland, Washington Private northwestu.edu
Claremont Graduate University (CGU)
Master's
5 N/A Claremont, California Private cgu.edu
Santa Clara University (SCU)
Master's
5 SAT: 1340-1500
ACT: 30-33
Santa Clara, California Private scu.edu
Wesleyan College
Bachelor's
5 SAT: 876-943 Macon, Georgia Private wesleyancollege.edu
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS)
Bachelor's
5 N/A New Orleans, Louisiana Private nobts.edu
Clinton Community College
Associate's
5 N/A Plattsburgh, New York Public clinton.edu
Fordham University
Master's
5 SAT: 1330-1490
ACT: 30-33
Bronx, New York Private fordham.edu
Wichita State University (WSU)
Doctorate (R)
4 SAT: 970-1250
ACT: 18-26
Wichita, Kansas Public wichita.edu
Oak Hills Christian College (OHCC)
Bachelor's
4 N/A Bemidji, Minnesota Private oakhills.edu
Sinclair Community College
Associate's
4 N/A Dayton, Ohio Public sinclair.edu
Indiana University (IU Indianapolis)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
3 SAT: 1040-1230
ACT: 21-28
Indianapolis, Indiana Public indianapolis.iu.edu
University of Massachusetts
Doctorate (R)
3 SAT: 1180-1350
ACT: 26-30
Lowell, Massachusetts Public uml.edu
Union University
Associate's
Bachelor's
3 SAT: 1030-1340
ACT: 22-29
Jackson, Tennessee Private uu.edu
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1160-1360
ACT: 24-29
Prescott, Arizona Private prescott.erau.edu
Point University
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 972-1237
ACT: 15-23
West Point, Georgia Private point.edu
Cornell College
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1150-1318
ACT: 23-30
Mount Vernon, Iowa Private cornellcollege.edu
University of New Orleans (UNO)
Doctorate (R)
2 SAT: 960-1320
ACT: 17-23
New Orleans, Louisiana Public new.uno.edu
Michigan Technological University (MTU)
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1120-1330
ACT: 25-31
Houghton, Michigan Public mtu.edu
University of Missouri-St Louis (UMSL)
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1030-1220
ACT: 20-27
Saint Louis, Missouri Public umsl.edu
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Postbac Cert.
2 SAT: 1280-1460
ACT: 29-33
Rochester, New York Private rit.edu
Malone University
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 885-1236
ACT: 17-24
Canton, Ohio Private malone.edu
Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU)
Bachelor's
2 SAT: 1048-1180 Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania Private gmercyu.edu
George Mason University
Postbac Cert.
2 SAT: 1140-1340
ACT: 25-30
Fairfax, Virginia Public www2.gmu.edu
Texas A&M University (TAMUCT)
Master's
2 N/A Killeen, Texas Public tamuct.edu
University of Northern Colorado (UNCO)
Master's
1 SAT: 970-1180
ACT: 17-26
Greeley, Colorado Public unco.edu
Austin Peay State University (APSU)
Postbac Cert.
1 SAT: 943-1165
ACT: 18-23
Clarksville, Tennessee Public apsu.edu
Old Dominion University (ODU)
Postbac Cert.
1 SAT: 1110-1290
ACT: 22-27
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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