Top 10 Universities to Study Psychology in USA for Indian Students (2025)

Last Updated on December 13, 2024

Want to study Psychology in USA? Psychology Colleges in the United States offer an overview of the history and major theories of psychology, including research methods and ethical considerations, as well as the study of human development across the lifespan, including physical, cognitive, and social development, abnormal behavior, and mental disorders, diagnosis, treatment, and causes. 

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In the United States, there are over 1000 psychology colleges that provide bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in psychology. A bachelor’s degree in psychology usually takes four years to complete. A master’s degree in psychology from the United States, on the other hand, can take 1-2 years to complete. Clinical psychology is the most sought-after and top psychology discipline in the United States.

Why choose to study psychology in USA?

If you’re wondering why you should study psychology in USA, here are some fascinating things to consider. Harvard University, Columbia University, Yale University, and the University of Pennsylvania are among the prominent IVY league universities. Taking a course specialization will allow you to go deeper into the principles of Psychology as a discipline, allowing you to investigate specific courses in Cognitive Sciences, Health and Development, Neuroscience, and so on. Psychology is a discipline that involves more practical effort than just academic understanding. As a student, you will have the option to engage in worldwide human behaviour research programs with your lecturers at US institutions.

The top colleges to study psychology in USA are as follows-

Harvard University

Harvard University is one of the oldest universities in the United States and the globe. For Indian students, the Psychology Department provides the top psychology courses in the United States. Harvard’s study areas include cognition, brain, behavior, development, social psychology, and clinical science. If you are driven by ambition and innovation, Harvard University should be your top choice if you wish to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology in the United States.

Stanford University

Stanford University in the United States has top-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs in Psychology. For many years, the Department of Psychology has been in charge of the most important research programs. It serves as a hub for research opportunities in affective science, neuroscience, cognitive, social, and developmental psychology. Given its competitive nature, Stanford has a 5% student admission rate.

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

UCB has some of the greatest psychology programs in the country. The University of California, Berkeley has a student admission rate of 17.5%. Students at UCB can do research in six areas: behavioral and systems neuroscience, cognition, clinical science, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and social personality psychology.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

UCLA provides undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in Psychology. It is one of the finest psychology universities in the United States. The department conducts research in behavioral neuroscience, change, plasticity, and development, clinical science, cognition, brain, behavior, and social-personality psychology, among other areas. UCLA has a student admission rate of 14.3%.

Yale University

Yale is one of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the United States. The Psychology department provides students with several research projects and internship possibilities. Yale’s key research fields include clinical psychology, neuroscience, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and social psychology. The university has a student admission rate of 6.5%.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT offers undergraduate majors in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Computation and Cognition, as well as a Ph.D. Program in Brain and Cognitive Sciences (which includes related programs in Neuroscience). Students would be trained by world-renowned faculty, have access to cutting-edge equipment, and take advantage of exceptional opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects.  

There are courses that teach about the mechanics underlying diseases like Alzheimer’s, Autism, and Parkinson’s, as well as transformational developments in brain-inspired computers, education, and human decision-making. 

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Psychology is North America’s oldest continuously running psychology department. Graduate students participate in courses and research. A select number of students additionally seek clinical training. The first year of the program is divided among classes that expose students to various fields of psychology as well as a concentrated research experience. It has a 9.4% acceptance rate.

The GRE test is optional and an English proficiency test is necessary. 

Columbia University

Columbia University is a private research institution recognized for its academics, placements, and high number of foreign students. It has around 17,000 international students. In the autumn of 2021, it had about 1,134 Indian graduate students enrolled. The tuition fees are comparatively expensive since it is an ‘Ivy League college in New York. The admittance rate of the university is around 5.8%.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Students at this university can obtain research experience, gain experience in a variety of community settings, and adjust course selections to match their long-term post-graduate aspirations. In combination with courses from other disciplines, a psychology degree may prepare students for professions engaging with people of different ages and backgrounds in a variety of industries.

The psychology curriculum is designed to improve one’s understanding of behavioral science as well as oneself and others in terms of concepts gained through study. 

Princeton University

Princeton University is a member of the ‘Ivy League’ and one of the premier research institutes in the United States. Over 400 foreign internship opportunities are available at the university. So far, 18 University graduates have received the Nobel Prize, while 112 Princetonians have competed in the Olympics. Psychology is one of the most popular majors at Princeton and for good reason. Students can declare their psychology major at the end of their sophomore year, just like any other Princeton major. Having said that, Princeton provides first and second-year students with early research chances.

To be on the safer side, it is necessary to check the official website of the university you want to be admitted, to before making conclusions on the same. 

Admissify helps students with career guidance by giving them the opportunity to explore their potential. We also provide test prep which is very important especially since universities in the U.S. are highly competitive, thus requiring excellent scores. 

Almost every institution offering psychology is the top college in the US itself. Universities like New York University, Duke University, etc. are also famous for their educational quality.

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FAQs

What is the scope of Psychology in USA?

The opportunities you will find after you complete your degree program in psychology are innumerable and rewarding. There is an exponential growth in job openings for qualified psychologists in the US.

What are the English proficiency tests required for Psychology in the USA?

TOEFL and IELTS are the two English language proficiency tests accepted in American universities.

How much does it cost to study psychology in USA? 

In the United States, psychology degrees can range from $25,000 to 60,000, or INR 18.56 lakhs to INR 44.56 lakhs. Scholarships, on the other hand, are available to assist students to some extent.

How many years does it take to study psychology in USA?

It takes four years to finish. A Master’s in Psychology is another psychology degree that may be obtained in one to two years. Both the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and the Ph.D. in Psychology are four-year or longer degrees.

How much are psychologists paid in the USA?

In the United States, the average annual salary for a Psychologist is $1,13,330. A Psychologist’s average additional cash remuneration in the United States is $6,157, with a range of $4,618 – $8,620.

What are the jobs for psychology students in the USA?

With a master’s degree in psychology, you can follow a variety of job routes. You can work as a counselor or therapist to provide mental health services, or you can further your study by earning a doctorate. Consider opportunities in research or academics, among other areas.

Avinash singh

Avinash Singh is a study abroad consultant with over 10 years of experience helping students achieve their academic goals. He is an expert in the US, Australian, German, and Canadian education systems and has helped hundreds of students secure admission to top universities around the world. In his spare time, Avinash enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family. He is also an avid reader and loves to learn new things.