Psychology is one of the most versatile and relevant fields today. Studying it helps you understand how people think, feel, and behave. A psychology degree provides knowledge in areas like cognition, behavior, development, and research methods. Graduates can apply these skills in counseling, education, research, human services, healthcare, and even business settings, making it a degree that opens multiple career paths.
Choosing the right school can be challenging. Some programs focus heavily on research, while others balance theory with hands-on experience. Location, faculty mentorship, and access to labs or internships also make a difference. Pennsylvania offers a strong mix of large research universities, private institutions, and liberal arts colleges. Students here can access labs, clinical experiences, and community programs while receiving quality instruction.
Below is our list of the best psychology programs in Pennsylvania, chosen for their reputation, quality, and opportunities to grow as a professional.
Best Colleges for Psychology in Pennsylvania
1. University of Pennsylvania (Penn, Philadelphia, PA)
The Psychology department at Penn offers both undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong research focus. Students study perception, learning, cognition, development, social behavior, and neuroscience.
There are opportunities to work in faculty labs and conduct independent research. The graduate program combines coursework with a research apprenticeship under experienced faculty. Students can specialize in cognitive, clinical, or developmental psychology and access interdisciplinary work in neuroscience and cognitive science.
Penn emphasizes practical skills and scientific rigor. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in research, clinical practice, or academia.
2. Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Carnegie Mellon’s psychology program treats the field as a rigorous science. Students choose between B.A. and B.S. tracks, studying research methods, statistics, and psychological theories. The program covers cognitive, developmental, social, and health psychology.
Undergraduate students can join faculty labs, conduct experiments, and present findings. Graduate students pursue Ph.D. tracks in cognitive science, developmental psychology, or social/health psychology.
The program encourages interdisciplinary work with neuroscience, brain imaging, and computational modeling. CMU emphasizes research, practical skills, and flexibility in specialization.
3. Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA)
Bucknell offers a B.A. in Psychology with options for minors or interdisciplinary studies. Students learn statistics, research methods, and core psychological theories. Hands-on learning is central, with opportunities to work in labs or volunteer in community programs.
The curriculum combines lectures, lab work, and independent research projects. Students gain experience in experimental design and data analysis. Graduates are prepared for careers in research, education, clinical practice, or related fields. Bucknell’s smaller class sizes allow close interaction with faculty.
4. Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
Drexel’s psychology program offers undergraduate and graduate options with a focus on applied learning. Students study cognitive, developmental, clinical, and social psychology. The curriculum emphasizes research methods, statistics, and real-world applications.
Students can gain hands-on experience through internships at hospitals, schools, or community organizations. Faculty mentorship supports independent projects and lab work. Drexel encourages students to connect theory with practice, preparing graduates for careers in counseling, human services, research, or further graduate study.
5. Villanova University (Villanova, PA)
Villanova’s psychology program provides a strong liberal arts foundation with flexible undergraduate and graduate paths. Students explore developmental, social, clinical, and cognitive psychology while learning research methods and statistics.
The program emphasizes critical thinking and hands-on learning through lab projects, independent research, and community engagement. Faculty mentorship is available for projects or internships, helping students apply classroom knowledge to real situations. Graduates leave with skills suitable for clinical, research, education, or human services careers.
Villanova’s smaller classes allow close faculty interaction, and the curriculum balances theory, research, and applied psychology.
6. Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA)
Dickinson College offers a liberal arts psychology program focused on both academic and applied skills. Students study research methods, cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical psychology. Courses include lab work, independent research, and experiential opportunities in local community programs.
The program encourages critical thinking, data analysis, and evidence-based practice. Faculty mentorship is available for research projects and fieldwork, giving students practical experience alongside theory. Graduates are prepared for careers in research, counseling, education, or social services.
7. Haverford College (Haverford, PA)
Haverford’s psychology program focuses on small class sizes, rigorous academics, and research experience. Students study cognitive, social, developmental, and clinical psychology while learning research design, statistics, and experimental methods.
Undergraduate students can join faculty labs, conduct experiments, and engage in independent projects. The program emphasizes critical thinking, ethical research practices, and data analysis. Graduates are prepared for careers in research, counseling, education, or graduate studies.
Haverford offers close mentorship and individualized support, allowing students to tailor research and learning to their interests.
8. Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA)
Lehigh University offers undergraduate and graduate psychology programs with a mix of theory, research, and applied learning. Students study cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical psychology while gaining training in research methods and statistics. The program provides lab experience, independent projects, and opportunities for fieldwork in community or clinical settings.
Faculty guidance supports research and internship placements. Graduates are prepared for careers in counseling, education, research, or advanced studies. Lehigh emphasizes practical experience alongside strong academic foundations.
9. Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
Temple’s psychology program offers undergraduate and graduate pathways emphasizing research and applied practice. Students study cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical psychology while learning statistics, research design, and experimental methods.
Opportunities for internships, lab work, and community-based projects provide hands-on experience. Faculty mentorship helps students tailor research projects and career preparation. Graduates are prepared for work in counseling, human services, research, or further graduate study. Temple’s urban setting allows access to diverse populations and field experiences.
The program combines academic rigor with practical training, helping students develop skills needed for careers in psychology while benefiting from a supportive faculty and research environment.
10. University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
The University of Pittsburgh offers undergraduate and graduate psychology programs with a strong research and applied focus. Students study cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical psychology while gaining training in statistics, research methods, and experimental design.
The program provides lab opportunities, independent projects, and field experiences in hospitals, schools, or community settings. Faculty mentorship supports research, internships, and career planning. Graduates are prepared for careers in research, counseling, education, or further graduate study. Pittsburgh emphasizes hands-on learning alongside academic rigor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Psychology Programs in Pennsylvania
1. What can I do with a psychology degree from these schools?
Graduates can work in counseling, human services, education, research, or pursue advanced degrees in clinical, cognitive, or developmental psychology. The programs also prepare students for roles in business, nonprofit organizations, or community outreach where understanding behavior is valuable.
2. Are these programs more research-focused or applied?
It depends on the school. Large universities like Penn, Pitt, and CMU emphasize research and lab work, while liberal arts colleges like Bucknell, Haverford, and Dickinson balance research with hands-on experience and community engagement.
3. Can I get an internship or field experience while studying?
Yes. Most programs encourage or require internships, lab work, or field placements. Schools in urban settings like Drexel, Temple, and Villanova have strong connections to hospitals, schools, and community programs.
4. How competitive are admissions?
Competitiveness varies. Elite schools like Penn, CMU, and Pitt are highly competitive. Smaller liberal arts colleges like Bucknell or Dickinson are less competitive but still maintain rigorous standards. GPA, recommendation letters, and interest in psychology matter.
5. Is graduate school necessary for a career in psychology?
Not always. An undergraduate degree can lead to roles in research, education, social services, or counseling support positions. For clinical, counseling, or specialized research roles, a master’s or doctoral degree is usually required.
6. Are online options available for these programs?
Some universities offer hybrid or online graduate programs, but most undergraduate programs are in-person. Online or hybrid programs may be more common for master’s degrees in psychology, especially for working professionals.