10 Most Affordable Online I/O Psychology Degrees 2025

Many colleges and universities across the U.S. offer flexible and affordable online bachelor's degrees in industrial/organizational psychology to students.

In a capitalist society, organizations are always striving to be more efficient. The field of industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology studies how to increase productivity and employee satisfaction in organizations and businesses.

The best way to start a career in I/O psychology is through an industrial/organizational psychology bachelor's degree. Many schools offer these online, at a low tuition rate, to help working professionals earn their degrees. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online I/O psychology degrees.

What Is an Online Industrial/Organizational Psychology Bachelor's Degree?

Degrees in industrial and organizational psychology focus on human behavior in organizations and work environments. This field is sometimes referred to as ''business psychology.''

Industrial/organizational psychology degrees are most commonly offered as graduate programs, but some schools offer these at the bachelor's level. You may find them as Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or even Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programs.

Earning a degree like a Bachelor of Science in industrial/organizational psychology online allows you to take courses virtually instead of on campus. They often still provide hands-on experiences to help you develop your competencies and skill set.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree in I/O Psychology Cost?

An online bachelor's degree in industrial/organizational psychology can range in price from about $300 per credit to around $1,000 per credit. How much you pay will depend on many factors, such as:

  • what school you choose
  • if you're an in-state or out-of-state student
  • how many credit hours you need
  • what financial aid you qualify for

All undergraduate students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what federal and state granmts and scholarships they can use to pay for their degree.

Cheapest Online I/O Psychology Degrees

While some schools charge several hundred dollars per credit hour, there are also many that charge less than $500 per credit. Below, we've highlighted some of the most affordable online bachelor's degrees in industrial/organizational psychology.

1. City University of New York School of Professional Studies

The City University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies is a public university geared toward adult learners in New York City. It offers a BA in psychology with a specialization in organizational psychology online.

Students in this program take core psychology courses on topics like social psychology and research methods. The organizational psychology concentration includes courses on organizational behavior, conflict resolution, and more.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $305 per credit hour (in-state); $350 per credit hour (out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: CUNY SPS accepts FAFSA, including the state's Excelsior Scholarship, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. University of New Hampshire

At the University of New Hampshire, students can earn an online BS in applied psychology with an option in organizational psychology. It focuses on core psychological principles as well as topics such as organizational behavior, occupational stress, and communication within organizations.

UNH, a public research university, is located in Durham, NH. Its online psychology degree emphasizes applying psychology to real-world settings.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $330 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: UNH accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional student aid.
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

3. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers two options for students wanting to study I/O psychology: a BA in psychology or a BS in business administration, both with an I/O psychology concentration. SNHU is a private, nonprofit university in Manchester, NH.

While the core courses are different for each major, courses in the concentration are the same. Coursework covers human resources, employee motivation, and consultation and analysis.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $342 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: SNHU accepts FAFSA and private financial aid and offers institutional aid.
  • Accreditation: NECHE

4. Southwestern College

The BS in organizational psychology at Southwestern College teaches students how the core elements of psychology affect group dynamics and organizational development. Psychology students take courses on research methods, cognitive psychology, organizational behavior, and more.

Southwestern College, located in Winfield, KS, is a private Christian school. It requires students to conclude the organizational psychology major with a capstone project.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $345 per credit (in-state and out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: Southwestern College offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations.
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. Touro University Worldwide

Touro University is a private Jewish university system based in New York City, but its online Worldwide campus is based in California. Its BA in psychology offers an industrial/organization concentration.

This option provides students with the skills necessary to apply psychological principles and concepts to the workforce. In addition to general psychology courses, students take classes on social psychology, client communication, persuasion, and more.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $400 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: TUW accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC)

6. Palo Alto University

Students at Palo Alto University can earn a BS in business psychology online. This program blends business fundamentals with courses on organizational behavior, employee motivation, and human resources management.

Palo Alto University, a nonprofit, private institution, is located in Palo Alto, CA. It offers this program online, but students are required to participate in live sessions over Zoom.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $410 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: Palo Alto University accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional financial aid.
  • Accreditation: WASCUC

7. Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University offers an online BS in psychology with a concentration in workplace psychology. EKU is a public university in Richmond, KY.

This program allows students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the application of psychological theories and procedures to the workplace. Courses cover topics like social psychology and performance management.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $443 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: EKU accepts FAFSA and private student aid and offers institutional aid.
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

8. Truett McConnell University

The online BS in business administration at Truett McConnell University offers a concentration in industrial/organizational psychology. Students learn to use psychology to enhance employee well-being, organizational efficiency, and overall effectiveness.

TMU, located in Cleveland, GA, is a private Christian school. It provides students with a business education with a biblical worldview.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $456 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: TMU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations.
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts Global is a private, nonprofit affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts. It's based in Aliso Viejo, CA, and offers a BA in psychology with an industrial/organizational concentration online.

This program is for students who want to use their psychology knowledge in business settings, such as corporate training or recruitment. They'll learn to understand, evaluate, and maximize human behavior in the workplace.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $500 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: UMass Global accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
  • Accreditation: WASCUC

10. Central Michigan University

Through Central Michigan University, students can earn an online BS in psychology with a concentration in business psychology. The program teaches how psychology can be applied to optimize business and organizational performance.

CMU, a public research institution, is located in Mount Pleasant, MI. Its I/O psychology degree helps students develop key critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

  • Estimated tuition cost: $500 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
  • Financial aid: CMU accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional student aid.
  • Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable industrial/organizational psychology bachelor's degree online programs above, we focused on:

  • Accreditation: Every school on this list is regionally accredited.
  • Affordability: All charge $500 or less per credit to in-state students, and many charge this amount to out-of-state students as well.
  • Program reputation: Every school is nonprofit and offers high-quality online degrees.

What To Expect From an I/O Psychology Online Degree

Online bachelor's degrees usually require at least 120 semester credit hours. Full-time students can typically finish this in four years, although some schools offer accelerated or part-time options.

Your courses will cover foundational psychological principles, like social psychology and cognitive psychology. You'll also cover how these principles apply to work environments with courses on:

  • human factors and behavior
  • human resource management
  • organizational behavior
  • organizational development
  • performance management
  • professional development
  • psychology research methods

You may also have the opportunity to choose electives or participate in hands-on opportunities like internships.

FAQs About Online Industrial/Organizational Psychology Programs

Below, we've highlighted some frequently asked questions about earning an online degree in industrial/organizational psychology.

Is an Online Industrial/Organizational Psychology Degree Worth It?

Every student has a different definition of ''worth it,'' but if your dream career path involves analyzing human behavior in work environments, an I/O psychology degree is absolutely worth it. These programs prepare you for roles in the field of industrial/organizational psychology as well as a master's degree program.

What Jobs Can I Get With a Degree in I/O Psychology?

A bachelor's in industrial/organizational psychology will qualify you for various careers, including:

  • human factors analyst
  • human resource manager
  • leadership development specialist
  • organizational development manager
  • performance management specialist
  • talent development manager

Can You Be an I/O Psychologist With a Bachelor's Degree?

While you can work in various careers within the field of industrial/organizational psychology with a bachelor's degree, you cannot become a licensed industrial/organizational psychologist with a bachelor's degree only.

Licensure is managed at the state level, and almost all states require licensed psychologists to complete a doctoral program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Not all states offer licensure for I/O psychologists.

Additionally, many membership organizations, like the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), require at least a master's degree.

How Long Does It Take To Complete an I/O Psychology Degree Online?

The length of time it takes to complete an I/O psychology program will depend on your pace of study and whether or not you have transfer credits. Most students finish within four years, but you may be able to finish faster or slower.

Discover Online Psychology Degrees

Start your journey toward an I/O psychology career path by exploring the options on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about enrollment, degree requirements, and financial aid.