Applied Psychology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Applied Psychology is a dynamic, evidence-based field focused on understanding human behavior and mental processes within real-world contexts. This program equips students with practical tools to assess, analyze, and influence behavior across diverse environments such as healthcare, education, business, and community services.
- Behavioral Assessment and Intervention: Techniques for evaluating psychological patterns and designing targeted strategies to modify behaviors effectively.
- Cognitive Processes: Study of how individuals perceive, think, remember, and solve problems, with applications in decision-making and learning.
- Emotional and Social Development: Exploration of how emotions and interpersonal relationships evolve across the lifespan and impact well-being.
- Research Methods in Psychology: Training in designing, conducting, and interpreting empirical studies to generate actionable psychological insights.
- Applied Ethics and Professional Practice: Examination of ethical standards and legal considerations in psychological work, ensuring responsible and effective service delivery.
- Organizational and Work Psychology: Application of psychological principles to improve workplace performance, employee satisfaction, and team dynamics.
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 44 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 University of San Diego (USD) (55 graduates), Rider University (43 graduates), Ashland University (35 graduates), Upper Iowa University (UIU) (30 graduates), and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) (28 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 577 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Master's
|
55 | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| Rider University |
Postbac Cert.
|
43 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Ashland University |
Master's
|
35 | Ashland, Ohio | Private | ashland.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Master's
|
30 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) |
Master's
|
28 | Weatherford, Oklahoma | Public | swosu.edu |
| Los Angeles Pacific University (LAPU) |
Master's
|
25 | San Dimas, California | Private | lapu.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| Meridian University |
Master's
|
23 | Petaluma, California | Private | meridianuniversity.edu |
| Walden University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| Roger Williams University (RWU) |
Master's
|
22 | Bristol, Rhode Island | Private | rwu.edu |
| Pillar College |
Master's
|
21 | Newark, New Jersey | Private | pillar.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Saint Mary's College of California |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Moraga, California | Private | stmarys-ca.edu |
| Grace College and Theological Seminary |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Winona Lake, Indiana | Private | grace.edu |
| Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
15 | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | gmercyu.edu |
| University of Redlands |
Postbac Cert.
|
14 | Redlands, California | Private | redlands.edu |
| Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) |
Master's
|
13 | Danbury, Connecticut | Public | wcsu.edu |
| Fielding Graduate University |
Post-Master's
|
11 | Santa Barbara, California | Private | fielding.edu |
| Judson University |
Master's
|
10 | Elgin, Illinois | Private | judsonu.edu |
| University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
| Anna Maria College |
Master's
|
9 | Paxton, Massachusetts | Private | annamaria.edu |
| Norfolk State University (NSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | nsu.edu |
| Eastern University |
Post-Master's
|
8 | Saint Davids, Pennsylvania | Private | eastern.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | San German, Puerto Rico | Private | sg.inter.edu |
| Bethune-Cookman University (B‑CU) |
Master's
|
7 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | cookman.edu |
| University of Jamestown (UJ) |
Master's
|
7 | Jamestown, North Dakota | Private | uj.edu |
| Winebrenner Theological Seminary (WTS) |
Master's
|
7 | Findlay, Ohio | Private | winebrenner.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
| Lewis & Clark College |
Post-Master's
|
6 | Portland, Oregon | Private | lclark.edu |
| Adler University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | adler.edu |
| Valparaiso University (Valpo) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Valparaiso, Indiana | Private | valpo.edu |
| Rivier University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
5 | Nashua, New Hampshire | Private | rivier.edu |
| Dallas Baptist University (DBU) |
Master's
|
5 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dbu.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | metro.inter.edu |
| Southern California Seminary (SCS) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
4 | El Cajon, California | Private | socalsem.edu |
| Point University |
Associate's
|
4 | West Point, Georgia | Private | point.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Master's
|
4 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | New Haven, Connecticut | Public | southernct.edu |
| Springfield College |
Master's
|
3 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | springfield.edu |
| University of the Cumberlands |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
1 | Williamsburg, Kentucky | Private | ucumberlands.edu |
| University of Providence (UP) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Great Falls, Montana | Private | uprovidence.edu |
| Salve Regina University |
Master's
|
1 | Newport, Rhode Island | Private | salve.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 44 accredited institutions offer Applied Psychology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of San Diego (USD) (55 graduates), Rider University (43 graduates), and Ashland University (35 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 257 in 2010 to a peak of 689 in 2020, before declining slightly to 577 in 2023-24. This represents a 125% 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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