Most Affordable Online Psychology Degrees in Pennsylvania 2025

Earning a degree in psychology can lead to numerous careers, including jobs like clinical psychologist or school psychologist. It can also lead to work in fields like counseling and social services. Many colleges and universities offer affordable online psychology degrees.

Pennsylvania has some of the highest tuition rates in the nation, but there are low-cost options. Students can still find many affordable online colleges in Pennsylvania. Keep reading to discover low-cost online psychology degree programs in Pennsylvania.

Low-Cost Online Psychology Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

While Pennsylvania tuition might be on the high side, several colleges and universities in the state offer online psychology degree programs with low tuition costs. We've highlighted these programs below. All programs hold regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

1. Cairn University

Cairn University is a private, nonprofit Christian school in Langhorne, PA. It offers an online associate degree and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, both of which include core coursework and electives that cover:

• abnormal psychology
• cognitive psychology
• research methods
• social psychology

The university charges a flat, per-credit rate of $425 per credit hour for online undergraduate degrees. Additionally, the school offers specific scholarships to help online students cover their tuition costs.

2. DeSales University

Through DeSales University, online students can earn an accelerated psychology bachelor's degree online with two specializations: clinical psychology and forensic psychology. Both concentrations include core courses on cognitive psychology, human development, and research methods.

DeSales University is a private Catholic school in Center Valley, PA. It charges $575 for this online learning experience.

3. Drexel University

At Drexel University, students can earn psychology degrees through online learning. It is a private, nonprofit research institution in Philadelphia.

The online Bachelor of Science in psychology provides a foundational education in the psychology field and costs $473 per credit hour. Drexel also offers an education-focused online master's degree in school psychology, which costs $1,111 per credit hour.

4. Keystone College

Through Keystone College, business-minded students can earn an online bachelor's degree in industrial-organizational psychology. This program is for those who want to go into areas like human resources, or who just want to better understand human behavior within organizations.

Keystone College is a private school in La Plume, PA. It charges a tuition rate of $460 per credit and allows students to bring in up to 75 transfer credits.

5. PennState World Campus

PennState World Campus is the global, online college of the Pennsylvania State University system. It offers an online psychology bachelor's degree that includes optional specializations in business or life sciences and covers topics like:

• developmental psychology
• mental health
• neurology
• social psychology

Full-time students pay $7,678 per semester, regardless of how many credits they're taking, while part-time students taking 11 or fewer credits pay $632 per credit hour. The university also offers an advanced degree in psychology of leadership, which costs $12,325 per semester for 12 or more credits or $1,027 per credit for less than that.

6. University of Valley Forge

Psychology majors at the University of Valley Forge can earn a religious-focused bachelor's degree in general psychology online. UVF is a private Christian university in Phoenixville, PA.

This degree includes courses in counseling, lifespan human development, social work, and theories of personality. Online learners pay $399 per credit hour.

7. Wilson College

Wilson College is a private Christian school in Chambersburg, PA. It offers an online BA in psychology with three specializations:

• general psychology
• leadership and management
• healthcare

This program has a tuition rate of $380 per credit hour. Financial aid programs are available to help students pay for their online degrees.

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 Pennsylvania?

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

• School type: Public universities usually cost less than private universities.
• Residency: At public schools, in-state students usually pay a lower tuition rate than out-of-state students.
• Level of degree: Credits for associate and bachelor's degrees usually cost less than those for master's and doctoral degrees.
• Financial aid: Many students qualify for financial aid through the government, their school, or private programs.

Overall, of the programs listed above, most range between $400 and $500 per credit for an online bachelor's degree in psychology before financial aid is applied.

How Can I Make My Online Degree More Affordable?

Making an online psychology degree more affordable is important to students, as many will need to continue to graduate studies and even doctoral programs if their career path includes licensure. There are several ways to make an online degree more affordable.

To start, choosing an inexpensive program will help a lot. Some students opt to complete their first two years at a community college, and then transfer credits into a bachelor's degree program to save money.

Additionally, all students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This allows students to qualify for federal and state financial aid programs � and some institutional programs as well. FAFSA aid can be used for both on-campus and online degree programs.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Bachelor's Degree in Psychology?

If you're starting without any college credit hours, an online bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of online study. However, many programs offer part-time programs, which take longer but have a lighter courseload each semester, and some offer accelerated programs, which have a more strenuous course load but can be completed more quickly.

If you're planning on pursuing graduate studies, you can look into programs that offer bachelor's-to-master's pathways. These programs allow you to start taking graduate-level coursework while still in your undergraduate program, which helps you get a head start on your master's degree.

Explore Online Courses and Degrees

If you're ready to begin your career path in psychology, check out the accredited online psychology programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools today to learn how they can help you reach your career goals.