Florida · Psychology Rankings · 2027

Best Psychology Programs in Florida for 2027

Psychology programs in Florida include three different master's options in this selection: FIU's workplace-focused Organizational Sciences MS, FAU's mentored experimental research MA, and Nova Southeastern's online General Psychology MS. They ask you to do different kinds of work. FIU includes organizational internships, while Nova offers a thesis option within its General Psychology track. Look at those assignments alongside the associate, bachelor's and doctoral programs when deciding how you want to use psychology.

Posted October 27, 2026Updated October 27, 20267 Schools Ranked
Palm trees and historic Spanish-style buildings along the St. Augustine, Florida waterfront
Photo: Roy Serafin / Pexels

Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Florida

3 schools in Florida awarded psychology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 1,212 bachelor’s programs nationwide. This section shows the top 3 of 33 eligible programs at this level.

  1. 1

    University of Florida

    Psychology BS or Online BA

    Gainesville Public

    89.4 Comparison Score No. 1 Nationally

    Florida distinguishes its campus BS from the online BA. Campus students choose Integrative Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, or Behavior Analysis; the neuroscience specialization adds more mathematics and biology. The online BA follows Integrative Psychology. Students can also explore supervised research, teaching, community internships, or an honors thesis. These experiences have separate credit limits within the major, so laboratory and independent-work choices need to fit the degree plan.

    Campus Specializations
    Integrative Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, or Behavior Analysis.
    Online Route
    The BA follows Integrative Psychology.

    Program Sources: Psychology Degree Requirements — University of FloridaPsychology — University of Florida Catalog

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
    578
    Psychology, 2023–24
    School Six-Year Graduation Rate
    91%
    6,697 first-time, full-time students
    Median Graduate Earnings
    $57,053
    Psychology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $6,381
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $28,659
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  2. 2

    Florida State University

    Psychology BA or BS

    Tallahassee Public

    88.7 Comparison Score No. 4 Nationally

    Florida State’s 36-hour psychology major requires research methods with a laboratory, neuroscience, and courses in three of four areas: social, cognitive, developmental, and clinical psychology. Statistics supports the methods sequence, while a separate minor adds another field of study. Directed Individual Study and research-topic courses can provide laboratory experience, subject to limits on major credit. Students choosing the BA complete additional humanities and history coursework beyond the BS requirements.

    Major Structure
    36 psychology hours plus a separate minor.
    Research Preparation
    Statistics and a research methods course with laboratory.

    Program Sources: Florida State Psychology BA/BS Program Guide

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
    760
    Psychology, 2023–24
    School Six-Year Graduation Rate
    86%
    6,219 first-time, full-time students
    Median Graduate Earnings
    $54,728
    Psychology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $6,517
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $21,683
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  3. 3

    University of Central Florida

    Psychology BS

    Orlando Public

    82.6 Comparison Score No. 19 Nationally

    UCF combines a common foundation in statistics, research methods, physiological psychology, and the history of the discipline with a choice of six tracks. Two career-readiness courses address practical tasks such as résumés and interviews alongside the academic sequence. Courses include developmental, abnormal, and cross-cultural psychology, and students can seek research, volunteer, or internship experience. The university offers both campus study and a fully online version of the psychology BS.

    Common Foundation
    Statistics, methods, physiological psychology, and disciplinary history.
    Delivery Options
    Campus and online options; some prerequisites or electives may not be offered online.

    Program Sources: Psychology BS — UCF

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
    1,642
    Psychology, 2023–24
    School Six-Year Graduation Rate
    78%
    7,052 first-time, full-time students
    Median Graduate Earnings
    $49,760
    Psychology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $6,368
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $22,467
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

Psychology Master’s Programs in Florida

3 schools in Florida have a separately admitting master’s route confirmed on an official school page and reported psychology master’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 294 master’s programs nationwide. You can apply to these master’s programs without entering a Ph.D. program. This section shows the top 3 of 3 eligible programs at this level.

  1. 1

    Florida International University

    Master of Science in Psychology, Organizational Sciences

    Miami Public

    88.0 Comparison Score No. 1 Nationally

    FIU's Organizational Sciences master's follows a 36-credit cohort sequence designed to be completed in four semesters. Students use industrial and organizational psychology to assess workplace practices, interpret organizational data, and evaluate changes to how people are managed. Internships with local organizations bring those questions into an applied setting. The program provides individual advising and handles registration across the sequence, so you follow a defined course plan with the same cohort rather than assemble an open-ended selection of psychology electives.

    Program Sequence
    36 credits over four semesters in a cohort.
    Applied Experience
    Internships with local organizations.

    Program Sources: MS in Psychology: Organizational Sciences | FIU College of Arts, Sciences & Education

    Master’s Degrees Awarded
    129
    Psychology, 2023–24
    Research Designation
    R1
    Institution, Carnegie 2025
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $11,334
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $24,439
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  2. 2

    Nova Southeastern University

    MS in General Psychology

    Fort Lauderdale Private nonprofit

    78.3 Comparison Score No. 10 Nationally

    Nova Southeastern's online General Psychology MS combines a common core in cognition, neuroscience, development, assessment and research with a choice of General Psychology or Applied Health Science. Research Design covers experimental and nonexperimental studies, while Psychological Quantitative Methods develops statistical analysis. In the General Psychology track, you can replace two courses with a faculty-supervised thesis that involves your own research questions, data collection and interpretation. The university identifies this as a non-clinical degree that does not lead to Florida certification or licensure on its own.

    Specialty Tracks
    General Psychology or Applied Health Science
    Thesis Option
    General Psychology students can replace two track courses with a research thesis

    Program Sources: M.S. in General Psychology | College of Psychology | Nova Southeastern UniversityM.S. in General Psychology Curriculum | College of Psychology | Nova Southeastern University

    Master’s Degrees Awarded
    44
    Psychology, 2023–24
    Research Designation
    R1
    Institution, Carnegie 2025
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $24,830
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $24,830
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  3. 3

    Florida Atlantic University

    Master of Arts in Psychology

    Boca Raton Public

    67.2 Comparison Score No. 19 Nationally

    Florida Atlantic's psychology MA emphasizes independent research guided by a faculty mentor and training in both basic and advanced experimental design. Faculty work in four broad areas: behavioral neuroscience, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and social and personality psychology. Your research interests therefore play a central role in choosing a potential mentor. The degree develops experimental research skills that can support later doctoral study or research work, with broad psychology coursework accompanying the focused project work you undertake with faculty.

    Research Areas
    Neuroscience, cognition, development, and social and personality psychology.
    Methods Training
    Basic and advanced experimental design with mentored independent research.

    Program Sources: Graduate Programs | Florida Atlantic University

    Master’s Degrees Awarded
    9
    Psychology, 2023–24
    Research Designation
    R1
    Institution, Carnegie 2025
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $6,693
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $18,482
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

Psychology PhD Programs in Florida

3 schools in Florida awarded research doctorates in psychology in 2023–24. Doctoral scores leave out tuition because funding offers, not sticker price, decide the real cost. This section shows the top 3 of 7 eligible programs at this level.

  1. 1

    University of Florida

    Psychology PhD

    Gainesville Public

    96.2 Comparison Score No. 3 Nationally

    Florida’s psychology doctorate combines continuous research with coursework extending beyond a student’s specialization. The degree requires 90 credits, including a first-year seminar in psychological science and nine credits outside the major area. Master’s research and doctoral dissertation work each involve written work and an oral defense; written and oral comprehensive examinations mark the transition to candidacy. Available areas include behavior analysis, developmental psychology, social psychology, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and counseling psychology, whose clinical training adds its own requirements.

    Breadth Study
    Nine credits outside the major area.
    Research Milestones
    Master’s and doctoral research with written work and oral defenses.

    Program Sources: University of Florida Psychology Doctoral RequirementsUniversity of Florida Psychology Graduate Catalog

    Doctoral Degrees Awarded
    20
    Psychology, 2023–24
    Research Designation
    R1
    Institution, Carnegie 2025
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $12,737
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $30,130
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  2. 2

    Florida State University

    Psychology PhD

    Tallahassee Public

    93.1 Comparison Score No. 5 Nationally

    Florida State offers doctoral study in clinical psychology, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and social psychology. The application is closely tied to a faculty research match: applicants identify researchers whose work fits their interests and explain that connection in their statement. The department describes empirical research experience as common among entering students, including laboratory work and thesis projects. Choosing a research area and potential mentor is therefore part of applying, before a student begins specialized doctoral training.

    Doctoral Areas
    Clinical, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, developmental, neuroscience, and social psychology.
    Application Focus
    Applicants identify potential faculty mentors and explain their research fit.

    Program Sources: Florida State Psychology Doctoral MajorsFlorida State Psychology Graduate Admissions

    Doctoral Degrees Awarded
    20
    Psychology, 2023–24
    Research Designation
    R1
    Institution, Carnegie 2025
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $10,553
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $26,707
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  3. 3

    University of Central Florida

    Psychology PhD

    Orlando Public

    80.4 Comparison Score

    UCF’s psychology doctorate includes human factors and cognitive psychology, clinical psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology tracks. In human factors, you study experimental design and quantitative methods, with possible concentration work in human-computer interaction, simulation, or human performance. Industrial-organizational study covers personnel selection, work motivation, and organizational development. The clinical track is a full-time, in-person program emphasizing adult assessment and treatment, with supervised practice and a final predoctoral internship. Each track has its own research and training requirements.

    Doctoral Tracks
    Human factors and cognition, clinical, and industrial-organizational psychology.
    Human Factors Focus
    Possible study in human-computer interaction, simulation, or human performance.

    Program Sources: Psychology PhDClinical Psychology PhD Track

    Doctoral Degrees Awarded
    16
    Psychology, 2023–24
    Research Designation
    R1
    Institution, Carnegie 2025
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $8,872
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $28,657
    Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

Psychology Associate Degrees in Florida

1 college in Florida awarded psychology associate degrees in 2023–24. Ask how the courses transfer before you plan a bachelor’s degree. This section shows the top 1 of 1 eligible programs at this level.

  1. 1

    Beacon College

    Psychology AA

    Leesburg Private nonprofit

    31.6 Comparison Score

    Beacon's Psychology AA puts behavioral statistics and qualitative research design into the associate-level major. You also study family relationships, positive psychology, child and early adult development, and psychology of learning disabilities. The 2026–27 plan pairs those psychology courses with Career Exploration and Learning Essentials and Self Discovery, so career planning and learning strategies have designated coursework. Its general education requirements add writing, critical thinking and a science laboratory alongside the major.

    Research Courses
    Behavioral Statistics and Qualitative Research Design
    Career Preparation
    Career Exploration plus Learning Essentials and Self Discovery

    Program Sources: Beacon 2026–27 Catalog: Psychology AABeacon 2026–27 Catalog: Associate General Education

    Associate Degrees Awarded
    3
    Psychology, 2023–24
    School Graduation Rate
    60%
    88 first-time, full-time students
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $51,680
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $51,680
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

Psychology Programs in Florida at a Glance

Ranked Schools
7
5 public, 2 private
Bachelor’s Programs
3
2,980 degrees in 2023–24
Master’s Programs
3
182 degrees in 2023–24
Doctoral Programs
3
56 degrees in 2023–24
Associate Programs
1
3 degrees in 2023–24
Lowest In-State Tuition
$6,368
Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25

How We Rank Psychology Programs in Florida

Each program gets the same comparison score it earns in our national psychology model, calculated against the nationwide group that meets the numeric and directory criteria. We then order Florida’s eligible programs by that score within each degree level. We feature up to 10 programs, taking the next highest-ranked program from each degree-level list in turn. Scores are compared only within the same degree level. Bachelor’s lists weigh graduation rate (20%), published tuition (20%), graduate earnings (20%), program reputation (25%), and degrees awarded (15%). Master’s lists weigh graduate tuition (25%), research activity (25%), program reputation (30%), and master’s degrees awarded (20%). Doctoral lists weigh research activity (35%), program reputation (35%), and doctoral degrees awarded (30%). Associate lists weigh graduation rate (30%), published tuition (25%), program reputation (25%), and degrees awarded (20%). Master’s lists require an official school source confirming a separately admitting master’s route. See the full ranking method.

Best Psychology Schools in Florida by Goal

These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.

Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s

University of Central Florida

$6,368 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 3 bachelor’s programs shown here.

Most Psychology Bachelor’s Graduates

University of Central Florida

1,642 psychology bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023–24, the most of any school on this list.

Highest Schoolwide Graduation Rate

University of Florida

91% of first-time, full-time students at the school finished a bachelor’s within six years. This is a schoolwide rate, not a psychology-only rate.

Lowest Graduate Tuition for a Master’s

Florida Atlantic University

$6,693 in annual graduate tuition and required fees for residents (2024–25), the lowest among the master’s programs shown here. These are schoolwide charges.

Graduate Study at an R1 University

Florida International University

Carries the Carnegie 2025 Research 1 designation for very high research spending and doctorate production.

Top-Scoring Psychology Doctorate

University of Florida

20 research doctorates awarded in 2023–24; ranked first of 3 doctoral programs shown here.

Lower-Cost Two-Year Start

Beacon College

$51,680 in annual in-state tuition and required fees (2024–25). Confirm how credits transfer before you enroll.

Study Formats and Research in Psychology Programs in Florida

This comparison focuses on the 10 programs featured above.

Research methods enter these degrees at different levels. Beacon's Psychology AA requires behavioral statistics and qualitative research design alongside psychology of learning disabilities. Florida State's bachelor's major requires research methods with a laboratory and study across several psychology areas. UF separates its campus BS, with Integrative Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, and Behavior Analysis specializations, from an online BA that follows Integrative Psychology. UCF builds a common foundation of statistics, research methods and physiological psychology and then lets you choose among six tracks, on campus or fully online.

The master's programs make your choice of work especially concrete. FIU's Organizational Sciences MS follows a cohort sequence and includes internships with local organizations. FAU emphasizes independent research with a faculty mentor, supported by basic and advanced experimental design. Nova's entirely online MS offers General Psychology and Applied Health Science tracks. Its General Psychology thesis lets you design a study, collect and analyze data, and interpret the results under faculty supervision.

For doctoral study, compare the research area and the required work within it. Florida State asks applicants to identify faculty whose research fits their interests. UF requires research throughout the doctorate and breadth coursework outside your specialization. UCF's Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology track includes quantitative methods and possible study in human-computer interaction or simulation. UCF's Clinical track instead adds supervised practice and an off-site predoctoral internship, with full-time, in-person attendance. Read the specific track plan before deciding that a doctorate fits your schedule.

Psychology Licensure in Florida

The Florida Board of Psychology licenses psychologists in Florida. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology does not by itself qualify you to practice as a psychologist.

Psychologist

Degree
Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D., or Ed.D. in psychology) from an APA-accredited program at an institutionally accredited school. Section 490.005(1), F.S. also accepts an equivalent degree from a government-recognized program outside the U.S.
Exam
EPPP (ASPPB), plus the Florida psychology laws and rules exam: 40 questions, and 32 correct answers (80%) are needed to pass
Supervised Experience
4,000 hours total (statute: at least 2 years or 4,000 hours). The doctoral internship can count as the first 2,000 hours. At least 2,000 hours must be post-doctoral under a qualified supervisor, including at least 900 hours of direct client contact and an average of 2 hours of clinical supervision per week.
Practice
Independent

Source: Psychologist - Florida Board of Psychology

The Florida psychology board does not issue a separate master’s-level psychology credential. Master’s graduates who want to provide therapy usually pursue a counseling or marriage and family therapy license from a different board.

The Florida Board of Psychology issues no master’s-level credential. Its license types are Psychologist, Provisional Psychologist, and Limited License Psychologist. The limited license is for psychologists who have been licensed at least 10 years and are retiring. The provisional license (s. 490.0051, F.S.) is for graduates of APA-accredited doctoral programs, requires supervision by a licensed psychologist, and expires after 24 months without renewal. School psychologists are licensed by the Department of Health’s Office of School Psychology, not the Board. That license requires 60 semester hours of graduate study, the Praxis School Psychologist exam (5403), and 3 years of experience, 2 of them supervised. Florida enacted PSYPACT (s. 490.0075, F.S.), and Florida-licensed psychologists could begin applying under it on or after July 1, 2023.

Requirements summarized from the board’s official pages. Confirm the current rules with the board before you choose a graduate program.

Psychologist Salaries in Florida

These are BLS median annual wages for Florida and the United States from the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. A median is the midpoint among workers in the occupation, from new hires to senior staff, so it is not a starting salary for a new graduate. The 10th–90th percentile range shows what the middle 80% of workers earn in the state.

Annual wages in Florida compared with the United States
OccupationFlorida MedianFlorida 10th–90th PercentileU.S. MedianFlorida Jobs
Psychologist Pay in Florida BLS: Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$85,610$55,480–$259,990$100,5803,040
Psychologist Wages in Florida BLS: School Psychologists$84,760$62,320–$107,540$95,9902,020
Psychologist Pay in Florida BLS: Psychologists, All Other$134,690$73,920–$166,260$110,840910

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.

Psychology Programs in Florida: Common Questions

How Many Schools in Florida Appear in These Psychology Rankings?

7 schools in Florida appear in the lists shown here (3 bachelor’s, 3 master’s, 3 research doctorate, 1 associate programs). A school can appear at more than one degree level. The page features 10 programs selected from 44 eligible programs at 33 schools. The degree counts come from federal IPEDS completions for 2023–24.

Which Psychology Bachelor’s Program in Florida Has the Lowest Tuition?

University of Central Florida lists $6,368 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents in 2024–25, the lowest among the bachelor’s programs shown here. That is a schoolwide figure before aid, so check the program’s own costs and any fees for fieldwork or labs.

Which Schools in Florida Reported Psychology Research Doctorates in 2023–24?

The federal IPEDS completions file records psychology research doctorates awarded in 2023–24 at University of Florida (20 degrees), Florida State University (20 degrees), University of Central Florida (16 degrees), University of Miami (12 degrees), University of South Florida (7 degrees), Florida International University (13 degrees), Keiser University (11 degrees). These are historical award counts. Check current admissions, advisor availability, and funding directly with each department.

Can I Study General Psychology Online at Nova Southeastern?

Yes. Nova Southeastern offers its General Psychology MS entirely online, with General Psychology and Applied Health Science tracks. The General Psychology track allows a faculty-supervised thesis in place of two track courses. NSU explicitly describes the degree as non-clinical and says it does not lead to Florida certification or licensure on its own.

What Does Beacon's Psychology Associate Degree Require?

Beacon's Psychology AA requires 61 credits, including 18 in the major. The 2026–27 psychology courses cover family relationships, positive psychology, child and early adult development, psychology of learning disabilities, behavioral statistics and qualitative research design. Career Exploration and Learning Essentials and Self Discovery are also required. Use the associate plan when checking requirements, since Beacon publishes a separate psychology bachelor's curriculum.

Sources

  1. IPEDS C2024_A completions: first-major degrees awarded by field and level, 2023–24.
  2. IPEDS COST1_2024: tuition and required fees, 2024–25.
  3. IPEDS DRVGR2024: schoolwide graduation rates.
  4. Carnegie 2025 Research Activity Designations.
  5. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates.
  6. Florida Board of Psychology.
  7. SocialSciences.org ranking methodology.
Keep Reading

More From SocialSciences.org