Most Affordable Online Psychology Degrees in California 2025

California is known for many things, including cities like Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, but it's also home to many high-quality schools. Several of these schools offer affordable online degrees in psychology.

Although California's tuition is on the lower end compared to the national average, higher education can still be expensive. Keep reading to discover some of the most affordable online colleges in California that offer psychology degree programs.

Low-Cost Online Psychology Degree Programs in California

California has dozens of colleges and universities that offer online psychology degree programs, but some set a higher price tag than others. Below, we've highlighted some low-cost online psychology degree programs in California.

1. Biola University

Biola University is a private, nonprofit Christian institution in La Mirada, CA. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in psychology that includes courses on:

• abnormal psychology
• cognitive psychology
• counseling psychology techniques
• developmental psychology across the lifespan

This 120-credit hour program costs $425 per credit. Online students may also qualify for state and federal grants to help them pay for their psychology majors.

2. California Baptist University

Psychology students at California Baptist University can earn an online bachelor's degree through distance learning. This program includes courses on lifespan development, theories of personality, and abnormal psychology, and costs $520 per credit.

Graduate school students can earn a master's in counseling psychology online. This program costs $815 per credit, and both degree programs are eligible for financial aid.

3. California State University Channel Islands

At California State University Channel Islands, students can earn an online Bachelor of Arts in psychology through the Extended University. CSUCI is a public university in Camarillo, CA.

This program includes courses on clinical psychology, neuroscience, social psychology, and psychological research methods. This program costs $475 per credit, and the university offers scholarships that students can use in addition to government aid.

4. Golden Gate University

Through Golden Gate University, students can earn a BA in psychology through online learning. The program costs $462 per credit, and scholarships and grants are available to help students pay for their online courses.

GGU is a private, nonprofit university in San Francisco. It also offers online master's degrees in counseling psychology and industrial-organizational psychology, both of which cost $1,090 per credit.

5. Hope International University

Hope International University is a private, nonprofit Christian school in Fullerton, CA. It offers an online bachelor's degree in psychology with concentrations including:

• addiction studies
• behavioral psychology
• community mental health and counseling
• family studies

Online learners pay $450 per credit. Psychology students can use federal and state financial aid programs to help them pay for their degrees.

6. National University

Students at National University can earn online psychology bachelor's degrees that cover human development, behavioral science, and forensic psychology. National University is a private, nonprofit school in San Diego.

Bachelor's degrees at National University cost an average of $13,284 per academic year. Many undergraduate students qualify for the needs-based Key Grant Scholarship, which reduces their tuition costs by $625 per course.

The university also offers master's and doctoral degrees in psychology. These programs cost an average of $16,416 per year, and master's students can also qualify for the Key Grant Scholarship.

7. San Diego Christian College

San Diego Christian College is a private, nonprofit Christian school in Santee, CA. It offers an online BA in psychology that includes courses on:

• abnormal psychology
• lifespan development
• research methods
• social psychology

This is one of the least expensive programs, at just $399 per credit hour. Students can also use federal and state financial aid to cover their program costs.

8. San Francisco State University

At San Francisco State University, students can earn an online bachelor's degree in psychology through the College of Professional and Global Education. SFSU is a public research university in San Francisco.

This program includes core courses and electives that span the field of psychology, including those that cover topics like behavioral science, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, and theories of personality. This degree costs $495 per credit, and financial aid is available.

9. Touro University

Touro University is a private Jewish university system based in New York but has its Worldwide campus in Los Alamitos, CA. Through this nonprofit campus, students can earn an online BA in psychology that includes courses on abnormal psychology, community psychology, research methods, and more.

Tuition for this program is $400 per credit, but the average student pays $280 per credit after scholarships. The university also offers graduate programs: the master's degrees in general psychology and forensic psychology are $500 per credit, and the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is $700 per credit.

10. UMass Global

UMass Global is a private online university based in Aliso Viejo, CA. It's affiliated with the public University of Massachusetts System and offers an online bachelor's degree in industrial/organizational psychology that includes coursework on:

• abnormal psychology
• human behavior across the lifespan
• research methods
• social psychology

This degree costs $500 per credit, and scholarships are available to help students pay for their programs. The nonprofit university also offers a graduate-level degree in educational psychology.

FAQs About Affordable Online Psychology Programs

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable online psychology programs.

How Much Does an Online Psychology Degree Cost in California?

The cost of an online psychology degree depends on several factors, including:

• what school you choose
• if you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• what level of degree you're earning
• whether you study full-time or part-time
• how many credit hours you need
• what financial aid you qualify for

Of the psychology bachelor's programs listed above, most are between $400 and $500 per credit hour.

What Are the Prerequisites for Online Psychology Programs in California?

Most online bachelor's degrees in psychology don't have much in the way of prerequisites; some may require you to complete the college's core general education courses before you can proceed to the major courses. However, graduate programs require you to have a bachelor's degree and often require a minimum GPA.

Is a Two-Year Psychology Degree Worth It?

There are some benefits to earning a two-year degree, like an associate degree, in psychology. These degrees can lead to entry-level roles in human services, social services, healthcare, and even human resources.

They won't lead to licensure, which is required for many social work and counseling roles. However, many students choose to start their education at a community college and later transfer into a bachelor's program to save money.

Additionally, a two-year psychology degree will still teach you general psychology fundamentals. They will also help you hone soft skills like critical thinking and problem-solving, which are key for many career paths.

Start Your Path to Higher Education

Make your career goals a reality by exploring the online degree programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and specialization options.