Thinking about studying psychology? You’re stepping into a field that’s more relevant than ever. Psychology is about helping people cope with stress, trauma, learning challenges, and more. With mental health awareness on the rise, demand for trained professionals is growing fast.
Across the U.S., psychology jobs are expanding faster than average, especially for counselors and mental health specialists, and New Jersey is no exception. The state needs skilled psychology graduates in healthcare, education, and human services. Employers value critical thinking, communication, and the ability to work with diverse populations; all skills psychology students develop from day one.
There are many colleges in New Jersey offering psychology programs, but not all are equal. Some provide stronger research opportunities, more hands-on experience, and better career support. Knowing which colleges excel can make the difference between a strong start and a year that doesn’t move you forward.
This post breaks down the best colleges for psychology in New Jersey, explaining each program in plain language so you’ll know what to expect and how each school can help launch your career or advanced study.
Top 5 Best Colleges for Psychology in New Jersey
1. Princeton University – Psychology
At Princeton University, the Psychology program is one of the most respected in the country and is widely considered the best in New Jersey. The program focuses on how the mind works and why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. Students study key areas like decision‑making, perception, language, reasoning, social interaction, and the biological bases of behavior.
Courses mix lectures with hands‑on learning, helping students not only understand theory but also apply what they learn. Princeton places a strong emphasis on research, meaning students often work alongside professors on real scientific projects that explore the brain and behavior at advanced levels. This is especially useful for anyone who wants to go into graduate school, research, or careers that rely on a deep understanding of human behavior.
Faculty in the department include top researchers who are leaders in their fields, and students often benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention. Whether you’re interested in how brains develop, how people learn and remember, or how social environments shape behavior, this program gives you solid preparation.
2. Rutgers University–New Brunswick – Psychology
Rutgers University–New Brunswick has one of the strongest and most well‑rounded psychology programs in New Jersey. The department is large, active, and offers a wide variety of psychology courses, research opportunities, internships, and practical experiences that help prepare students for real‑world goals.
The psychology major here teaches you how to understand and analyze human behavior from many angles, including clinical, social, cognitive, and developmental psychology. Students benefit from more than 40 research laboratories where they can join ongoing studies and work directly with professors on projects that explore brain function, behavior, mental health, and more.
Rutgers also encourages students to take part in internships and fieldwork, giving practical experience that makes their resume stronger when applying for jobs or graduate programs. What makes Rutgers especially valuable is the balance between classroom learning and hands‑on research, which helps students build skills in thinking, analysis, statistics, and real psychological methods.
3. The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) – Psychology
The psychology program at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is known for being strong, practical, and very student‑focused. Students here don’t just sit in large lectures — they work closely with faculty, join research projects, and get real involvement in psychology learning from early on.
The curriculum covers major areas like biopsychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, and counseling and clinical psychology. This gives students a broad understanding of how people think, feel, and behave, plus options to explore the areas they care about most.
TCNJ also offers special pathways where students can combine psychology with other professional goals, such as preparing for counseling careers or even combining with law or teacher certification programs. Another big plus is the availability of internships and study abroad options, as well as opportunities to work in small research groups where students are guided directly by faculty mentors. These experiences help students build confidence, research skills, and practical knowledge that employers and graduate programs look for.
4. Rutgers University–Newark – Psychology
The psychology program at Rutgers University–Newark is a strong and respected option within the Rutgers system. It is known for its research activity, community engagement, and opportunities for students to grow as both thinkers and scientists. The department covers major areas of psychology, including developmental psychology, neuroscience, social psychology, and cognition.
Students learn through a mix of classroom instruction and hands‑on research projects, many supported by grants and partnerships with community centers, museums, and other institutions. Undergraduate students can also pursue related majors like neuroscience or combine psychology with fields such as psychiatric rehabilitation.
Rutgers–Newark’s psychology department also offers graduate programs, including a Master of Arts, giving students a path to continue their education in research or advanced study. One of the strengths here is the close connection between faculty and students; professors often mentor students and involve them directly in research. This gives students real‑world skills in data analysis, behavioral research, lab methods, and scientific thinking that can be useful in careers or graduate school.
5. Montclair State University – Psychology
Montclair State University has one of the most popular and respected psychology programs in New Jersey, especially for students who want a balance of classroom learning and practical experience. Psychology at Montclair focuses on understanding human behavior from many angles, including biological, cognitive, developmental, social, and personality psychology. Students are trained in scientific methods, critical thinking, and statistical procedures that help them understand and solve real psychological questions.
One big advantage at Montclair is the Psychological Services Clinic, which gives students the chance to see and learn from real clinical work under professional supervision. The department also hosts several research labs where students can work closely with faculty, gaining valuable hands‑on experience that can set them apart when applying for jobs or graduate programs.
Beyond academics, there are psychology‑related student organizations and events that help build community and professional skills. Graduates from Montclair’s program go into a wide range of fields, including counseling, healthcare, education, business, and even human resources, all roles where understanding people matters.
FAQs
1. Is psychology a common major?
Yes. Psychology is one of the most popular college majors in the U.S. In fact, more than 120,000 psychology bachelor’s degrees are awarded nationwide each year, showing how many students choose this field.
2. How many psychology programs are there in New Jersey?
New Jersey has about 26 four‑year colleges and universities offering psychology degrees, with around 145 psychology programs across undergraduate and graduate levels.
3. How many psychology graduates come out of NJ schools?
Across those programs, New Jersey colleges produced about 6,859 psychology graduates in a recent year, which shows the scale of interest and output in the state.
4. What is the job growth outlook for psychology careers?
Jobs in psychology and related mental health fields are growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 6% growth in psychology jobs from 2022 to 2032. That’s roughly in line with average job growth, but mental health roles like counseling are growing faster due to increased demand.
5. What kind of pay can psychology graduates expect?
Salaries vary a lot depending on your role and how far you study. On average, psychology degree holders start around $40,000–$50,000 a year, but those with advanced degrees (like a master’s or doctorate) can earn much more. In New Jersey specifically, psychology‑related careers often pay above national averages, with some specialist roles averaging over $90,000+ annually.
6. Do psychology majors only work as therapists or counselors?
No, that’s a myth. A psychology degree helps you work in a wide range of fields. Graduates find jobs in education, human resources, marketing, research, social services, business leadership, and more. The skills you gain, like understanding people and thinking critically, are valuable in many jobs.
7. Are psychology programs hard?
Many psychology students say the quantitative and statistics classes are challenging because psychology relies on research and data analysis. Getting help early in those classes can make a big difference.
8. Do psychology majors need grad school?
It depends on your career goals. If you want clinical roles like counseling psychologist or therapist, you usually need a master’s or doctorate. But if you want jobs in business, education support, research assistance, or human resources, a bachelor’s degree can be enough.
9. Is psychology a valuable degree?
Yes. It may not always lead to a licensed psychologist job with a bachelor’s alone — but the major gives you skills that employers in many sectors value, especially communication, analysis, and understanding human behavior. Many graduates use their psychology degree as a stepping stone to careers or advanced study.
10. What kind of jobs do psychology majors get right out of college?
Common entry‑level roles include assistant positions in research, case management, human services, data collection jobs, support roles in schools or clinics, and human resources support. These are good starting points, and many students later pursue graduate school.