Accelerated Online Psychology Degree Programs

Want to finish your psychology degree in less time? Learn about earning an accelerated psychology degree online from a top-ranked program.
Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.
By
Edited by
Reviewed by
Our Integrity Network

At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.


The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.


If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.


Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

Updated September 11, 2024
chevron-up

Why Trust BestColleges

  • graphs

    3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed

  • Phone

    6,000+ Users connected with programs every month

  • 300+ College and university partners

  • 40+ Expert reviewers

Learn more about our 

Our Integrity Network

At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.

The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.


Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

Psychology majors explore group dynamics, human development, and personality theory. You’ll also strengthen in-demand research, analytical, and critical thinking skills as a psych major. And with an accelerated bachelor’s degree in psychology, you can graduate in less time.

While earning a bachelor’s in psychology typically takes four years, accelerated programs can speed up that timeline. Depending on the program, you’ll take classes on an accelerated schedule or during summer sessions to finish more credits each year.

Featured Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

Fastest Accredited Online Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

#1

Ottawa University-Online

Ottawa, KS4 yearOnline

$11,976

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,976

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

97%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,253

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,253

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

218

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,976

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,976

Ottawa University-Online

Ottawa, KS4 yearOnline

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,976

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,976

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,253

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,253

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

218

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#2

University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT4 yearCampus + Online

$32,860

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,860

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

73%

Acceptance Rate

58%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,096

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,096

Retention Rate

55%

Students Enrolled

3,563

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,860

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,860

Bridgeport, CT4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,860

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,860

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment

58%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,096

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,096

Retention Rate

55%

Students Enrolled

3,563

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Westfield State University

Westfield, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$970

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,050

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

52%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$1,890

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$1,890

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

5,013

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$970

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,050

Westfield, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$970

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,050

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

52%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$1,890

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$1,890

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

5,013

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#4

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID4 yearCampus + Online

$8,396

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$27,632

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

74%

Acceptance Rate

46%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,272

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,508

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

11,524

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,396

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,632

Moscow, ID4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,396

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,632

Acceptance Rate

74%

Online Enrollment

46%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,272

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,508

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

11,524

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

Charter Oak State College

New Britain, CT4 yearOnline

$7,656

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,056

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,288

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,720

Retention Rate

67%

Students Enrolled

1,618

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,656

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,056

Charter Oak State College

New Britain, CT4 yearOnline

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,656

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,056

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,288

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,720

Retention Rate

67%

Students Enrolled

1,618

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#6

Newberry College

Newberry, SC4 yearCampus + Online

$25,650

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,650

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

57%

Acceptance Rate

3%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,940

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$5,940

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,242

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,650

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,650

Newberry, SC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,650

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,650

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

3%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,940

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$5,940

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,242

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#7

Concordia University-Saint Paul

Saint Paul, MN4 yearCampus + Online

$23,900

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,900

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,550

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,550

Retention Rate

61%

Students Enrolled

5,218

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,900

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,900

Saint Paul, MN4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,900

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,900

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

69%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,550

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,550

Retention Rate

61%

Students Enrolled

5,218

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#8

University of Saint Mary

Leavenworth, KS4 yearCampus + Online

$30,580

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,580

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

82%

Acceptance Rate

29%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,160

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,160

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

1,325

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,580

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,580

Leavenworth, KS4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,580

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,580

Acceptance Rate

82%

Online Enrollment

29%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,160

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,160

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

1,325

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#9

Greenville University

Greenville, IL2 yearCampus + Online

$29,260

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,260

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

55%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,568

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,784

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

1,111

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,260

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,260

Greenville, IL2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,260

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,260

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

55%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,568

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,784

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

1,111

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#10

University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM4 yearCampus + Online

$6,605

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,942

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

97%

Acceptance Rate

53%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,050

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,422

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

22,139

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,605

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,942

Albuquerque, NM4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,605

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,942

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

53%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,050

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,422

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

22,139

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

How Much Does an Online Accelerated Psychology Degree Cost?

Earning your accelerated psychology degree online can help you save money. Some of the most affordable psychology programs cost less than $10,000 per year, which is significantly less than the average tuition cost of $19,800.

You can also cut costs by researching financial aid. Submit the FAFSA to qualify for federal student aid programs, including the Pell Grant. As an online student at an accredited college, you’ll qualify for many scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid.

What Courses Will I Take in an Accelerated Psychology Program Online?

During an accelerated psychology program, you’ll explore topics like human development, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. You’ll also strengthen your analytical and research skills while studying experimental methods. Here are some common courses you might take during an accelerated bachelor’s in psychology.

  • minus

    Social Psychology

    Explore how individuals react in social settings, including topics such as group behavior, conformity, and attitude formation. Is individual behavior socially determined? And how do leadership, social dynamics, and mass media play a role in social psychology? The course also examines research methods in social psychology.
  • minus

    Personality Theory

    How do individuals develop personality characteristics? And when do personalities form? This course examines key theories of personality development, including research methods and the impact of human development, social psychology, and family dynamics on personality development.
  • minus

    Child Development

    As children move through developmental stages, they experience physical, social, cognitive, and emotional changes. In child development classes, psychology majors explore the stages of development from a psychological perspective. The course covers the role of social environment, cultural factors, and gender on child development.
  • minus

    Biopsychology

    Examine the biological basis for human behavior in biopsychology courses. Often closely linked with neuropsychology, these courses explore the role of sensory systems, cognitive function, and nerve impulses on behavior. Learners also study foundational theories in biopsychology and the field’s research methods.
  • minus

    Abnormal Psychology

    Discover the psychology behind abnormal and deviant behavior, including an examination of rare and common psychological disorders. The course emphasizes the classification, assessment, and treatment of these disorders, with a focus on symptoms, therapeutic techniques, and terminology.

High-Paying Careers in Psychology

What are the highest-paying psychology jobs? You’ll qualify for several in-demand careers with a bachelor’s in psychology. Or you can advance your education to qualify for additional job opportunities.

Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts examine customer demand, pricing strategies, and potential sales. They draw on strong analytical skills to reach evidence-based conclusions.

A background in psychology helps market research analysts understand potential consumers and develop profiles for target customers. With experience or a master’s degree, market research analysts can become marketing managers.

  • Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$74,680
  • Job Outlook:8%

Human Resources Specialist

Human resources specialists manage employee relations and administrative tasks for organizations. They specialize in areas like recruiting, benefits, and training.

Psychology majors bring the communication and analytical skills needed for HR careers. An understanding of human behavior can help HR specialists screen job applicants, implement employee retention policies, and resolve employee disputes.

  • Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$67,650
  • Job Outlook:8%

Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists communicate an organization’s brand to influence their public image. They craft press releases, coordinate with media organizations, and run social media campaigns.

Careers in public relations require strong writing and communication skills, which a bachelor’s in psychology can strengthen. Psych majors also bring their understanding of human behavior and motivation to PR careers.

  • Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$66,750
  • Job Outlook:6%

Training and Development Specialist

Training and development specialists research an organization’s workforce development needs and run programs to improve employee skills. They may conduct surveys and interviews to inform training programs or craft custom training materials.

Careers in training and development or related fields such as instructional design require strong analytical and teaching skills. Psych majors apply their research and communication skills to work in training and development.

  • Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$64,340
  • Job Outlook:12%

Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers oversee programs that provide social and community services. They evaluate data to determine public needs and the effectiveness of programs. Social and community service managers also manage grant applications.

A psychology degree strengthens the analytical and problem-solving skills required for social and community service careers. Management roles typically require several years of professional experience in the field.

  • Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$77,030
  • Job Outlook:8%

Psychologist

Psychologists evaluate people’s emotions, cognition, and processes to understand their behavior. Depending on their specialization, they may work in counseling or research roles. Clinical and counseling psychologists diagnose behavioral disorders, for example.

Most psychologists need a doctorate to practice. Earning a bachelor’s in psychology prepares graduates for master’s or doctoral programs in psychology.

  • Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$92,740
  • Job Outlook:7%

Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Psychology Degrees Online

A BA and a BS in psychology typically include the same upper-division major courses. However, with a BA you’ll take more humanities and foreign language requirements, while a BS includes more STEM requirements.

Explore More College Resources

Complete Guide to Earning a Child and Adolescent Psychology Degree

Complete Guide to Earning a Child and Adolescent Psychology Degree

Learn about child psychology degrees with this resource. It covers bachelor’s and master’s programs, career paths, sample curricula, and more.

James M. Tobin

by James M. Tobin

Updated July 9, 2024

Bachelor’s in Forensic Psychology Guide

Bachelor’s in Forensic Psychology Guide

Forensic psychologists help law enforcement and legal professionals understand criminal behavior. Learn more about forensic psychology degrees.

Thomas Broderick

by Thomas Broderick

Updated July 23, 2024

Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: What’s the Difference?

Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: What’s the Difference?

Psychology and psychiatry both study the human mind, but have different treatment therapies. Discover the differences between these professions.

Blake Weil

by Blake Weil

Updated March 29, 2023