With over 500 colleges and universities in California, it can be daunting to try to narrow down your options. If you're looking for the best colleges for psychology in California, check out our list of the best psychology programs in the Golden State. You can also find tips on what to consider when choosing a school to ensure you make the right decision for you.
Become a Psychologist with These Programs
Learn more about these Bachelor's programs and be one step closer to your career goals.
Best Psychology Programs in California for 2026
How We Identified Top Schools and Programs
Our editorial team reviewed each school and program to identify standout characteristics, prioritizing factors like flexibility, affordability, hands-on experience, and relevance of the curriculum to a career in psychology. We assigned each school a superlative category based on its strengths.
Since many psychology programs share similar course offerings and outcomes, our goal is to support your program selection process by highlighting features that matter to you most.
We verified these school and program facts in November 2025.
What to Look for in a California College for Psychology
There are many factors to consider when choosing a college for psychology in California, including:
Program Format: Do you want to attend your program online or on campus? Are you only able to take classes in the evenings or on weekends? Are you interested in earning your degree at an accelerated pace? Does the program schedule fit your needs?
Concentration Availability: Do you want to specialize in a specific area in psychology? Does the school offer courses tailored to your interests?
Accreditation: Make sure your psychology school or program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or another official accreditation agency. California has 34 APA-accredited Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs.
Cost: What is the overall cost of earning your degree? Does the school offer financial aid options?
Salary and Career Outlook for Psychology Graduates in California
Like much of the country, California is currently experiencing a shortage of mental health care professionals, with only 22% of the state's mental health needs met. Given this shortage and the positive employment growth projections for psychologists from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as shown below, it may be a good time to become a psychologist in California.
Psychologists earn a lucrative salary, often in the six-figure range. However, many psychologists in California need a doctoral degree and a state license, which requires many hours of supervised clinical experience and multiple exams.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary | Change in Employment 2023-2033 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $95,830 | 13% |
| School Psychologists | $86,930 | 1% |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $109,840 | 6% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $94,310 | 5% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $82,140 | 7% |
Licensing Requirements in California
Clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, and school psychologists all need to earn licensure in California before they can practice.
To earn licensure in California, psychologists must earn a doctoral degree and complete specific coursework that meets state requirements. They also need 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, with 1,500 of those hours occurring after they complete their doctorate.
Aspiring psychologists in California must then pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination (CPLEE). Finally, they must apply for licensure and pass a background check.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Colleges for Psychology in California
Yes, California has good psychology programs. California is home to many nationally and internationally recognized schools, such as Stanford, the California Institute of Technology, and schools in the University of California system.
