New York is home to some of the best colleges and universities in the world. For those interested in pursuing a psychology degree, the Empire State offers premier programs taught by world-renowned faculty.
We will outline the 20 top colleges for earning a psychology degree in New York based on academic excellence, faculty, research opportunities, facilities, and alumni outcomes. This degree may be bachelor’s or graduate degree.
The Importance of Psychology Education
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. Gaining an understanding of psychology through higher education provides a foundation for many fulfilling careers.
Occupational opportunities for psychology degree holders include:
– Psychologist
– Counselor
– Social worker
– Therapist
– Researcher
– Teacher
– Behavior analyst
– Marketing Professional
– Human resources manager
An undergraduate or graduate psychology degree equips students with versatile skills like:
– Critical thinking
– Data analysis
– Scientific research methods
– Interpersonal communication
– Empathy and emotional intelligence
– Problem solving
– Statistical analysis
– Writing and public speaking
Psychology majors gain insights into human motivations, personalities, relationships, learning processes, and more. This understanding is invaluable in many fields from healthcare to business to education.
New York’s world-class universities offer premier psychology training opportunities at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Let’s look at the top criteria for selecting the best colleges.
How New York Psychology Programs Are Evaluated
Several key factors determine the quality and reputation of a psychology department. Here are the criteria used to assess New York’s top psychology colleges:
Academic Reputation
The overall reputation of the institution based on rankings, selectivity, and prestige influences psychology program perceptions. Name recognition attracts top students and faculty.
Faculty Expertise
The knowledge, experience, research, and qualifications of the psychology faculty determine program quality. Strong faculty impart deep psychological insights.
Research Opportunities
The availability of undergraduate research experiences, internships, and psychology labs enriches learning. Graduate students should have access to faculty mentorship.
Facilities and Resources
Modern labs, research facilities, academic journals, and libraries with relevant psychology resources support learning.
Alumni Outcomes
Successful alumni who attend top graduate programs or secure psychology-related employment reflect program quality. Industry connections for internships and jobs are also key.
Top 20 Colleges for Earning a Psychology Degree in New York
Using these criteria, let’s explore New York’s top 20 colleges for earning a psychology degree.
NYU is ranked among the top psychology programs in the United States. The department has pioneering faculty, research opportunities, and alumni success.
Academics
– 9 psychology program in the US (QS World Rankings)
– 4th most influential psychology department (Academic Analytics)
– Highly selective 7% admission rate
Faculty
– 130+ psychology faculty members
– Leaders in diverse psych disciplines and research areas
Research
– 50+ active psychology labs and research centres
– Undergrad and graduate research opportunities
Facilities
– State-of-the-art psychology labs and research facilities
– Extensive psychology-related resources and archives
Alumni Outcomes
– Graduates have 95% career placement in psychology or continued education
– Alumni work in research, healthcare, education, business, and more
-
Columbia University
Columbia’s psychology programs are highly respected including its Clinical Psychology PhD #4 ranking (US News & World Report).
Academics
– 7th best psychology program nationally (Academic Analytics)
– #4 Clinical Psychology PhD program (US News)
Faculty
– 90+ psychology department faculty members
– Renowned thought leaders in psychology research
Research
– 30+ psychology research labs and centres
– Undergrad and graduate research opportunities
Facilities
Cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience labs and research facilities
Alumni OutcomesÂ
– Strong graduate school acceptance rates
– Graduates become therapists, researchers, professors, and leaders in the field
-
Cornell University
Cornell offers Ivy League psychology programs emphasizing research and preparing students for advanced study.
Academics
– Among the top 10 graduate clinical psychology programs (US News)
– Highly selective 14% admission rate
Faculty
– 50+ faculty across psychology disciplines
– Leaders in social, clinical, and cognitive sciences
Research
– Variety of faculty-led research programs
– Undergrad and graduate research opportunities
Facilities
State-of-the-art psychology labs leveraging university resources
Alumni Outcomes
– 75% acceptance rate to graduate programs
– Graduates include professors, researchers, clinicians, leaders
-
University of Rochester
Rochester features premier psychology programs including a top clinical psychology PhD program (#9 nationally).
Academics
– Top-ranked programs in social, clinical, and biopsychology (US News)
– Very selective 34% admission rate
Faculty
– 60+ faculty across psychology disciplines
– Leaders in clinical, social, and personality research
Research
– Active research labs and centres in diverse areas
– Undergraduate and graduate research opportunities
Facilities
Cutting-edge facilities through UR’s Clinical and Social Sciences Institute
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong graduate school placement record
– Graduates become researchers, clinicians, professors
-
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook’s psychology programs emphasize research, diversity, and community impact.
Academics
– Among the top 5% of universities worldwide
– Highly selective 41% admission rate
Faculty
– 80+ faculty specializing in social, cognitive, and behavioural psychology
– Highly productive researchers
Research
– 25+ psychology labs across research areas
– Robust research participation for students
Facilities
– State-of-the-art research facilities
– Psychology Community Clinic
Alumni Outcomes
– Competitive Ph.D. program acceptance rates
– Graduates succeed in research, healthcare, education, business
-
Fordham University
Fordham’s psychology programs integrate Jesuit traditions with cutting-edge research and clinical training.
Academics
– Among the top 6% of global universities (QS World Rankings)
– Very selective 46% admission rate
Faculty
– 70+ faculty specializing in clinical, developmental, and social psychology
– Active researchers and practitioners
Research
– Research labs investigating emotions, trauma, relational ships, and more
– Research assistantships available
Facilities
– Dedicated psychology research labs
– Counseling centres for practical experience
Alumni Outcomes
– 94% employment or grad school acceptance
– Graduates include researchers, clinicians, professors
-
New York University – Steinhardt
NYU Steinhardt offers highly respected psychology and mental health counselling programs incorporating research and practice.
Academics
– NYC’sf NYU’s top-ranked undergraduate programs
– Selective 35% admission rate
Faculty
– 70+ faculty experts in psychology and counselling
– Scholars integrate theory with NYC-based practice
Research
– Research labs focused on learning, motivation, and behaviour
– Student research opportunities
Facilities
– State-of-the-art psychology labs and classrooms
– Metro Center clinic for hands-on practice
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong graduate school placement
– Graduates’ careers as counsellors, clinicians, professors, researchers
-
CUNY Hunter College
Hunter College delivers affordable psychology programs emphasizing research, diversity, and community engagement.
Academics
– Among the top US public university psychology programs
– Moderately selective 68% admission rate
Faculty
– 60+ faculty specializing in clinical, development, and social psychology
– Leaders in urban-focused research
Research
– 15+ collaborative research labs and centres
– Undergraduate research participation
Facilities
– Psychology labs leveraging CUNY and NYC resources
– Community-based experiential learning
Alumni Outcomes
– Competitive Ph.D. program acceptance rates
– Graduates succeed in social services, research, education, government
-
Adelphi University
Adelphi offers highly regarded psychology programs emphasizing clinical experience through its Institute for Parenting.
Academics
– Nationally ranked programs in social work and clinical psychology
– Selective 66% admission rate
Faculty
– 45+ faculty experts in clinical, developmental, and social psychology
– Scholars bring research into practice
Research
– Institute for Parenting serves as a living laboratory
– Community-engaged research opportunities
Facilities
– Institute for Parenting clinic and research hub
– Focus on practical learning and development
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong graduate school placement
– Graduates careers as clinicians, counsellors, social workers
-
CUNY City College
CCNY delivers affordable, high-quality psychology programs focused on research, social justice, and community action.
Academics
– Top-ranked public university psychology program
– Moderately selective 40% admission rate
Faculty
– 30+ faculty specializing in clinical, and social, and developmental psychology
– Leaders in urban-focused research
Research
– Collaborative urban research across disciplines
– Undergraduate and graduate research opportunities
Facilities
– Dedicated psychology labs and research centres
– Clinics serving local community needs
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong Ph.D. program placement
– Graduates improve urban communities through research and practice
-
SUNY Albany
SUNY Albany offers top-ranked psychology programs emphasizing research, diversity, and community wellness.
Academics
– Among the top public university psychology programs nationally
– Selective 70% admission rate
Faculty
– 45+ faculty specializing in clinical, and social, and cognitive psychology
– Leaders in community-focused research
Research
– Collaborative research lacentrescentres
– Robust undergraduate research participation
Facilities
– State-of-the-art labs and facilities
– Psychological Services Center clinic
Alumni Outcomes
– Competitive Ph.D. program placement
– Graduates enhance communities through research and practice
-
SUNY Buffalo
SUNY Buffalo delivers highly-ranked psychology programs spanning social, counselling, and cognitive sciences guided by an urban mission.
Academics
– Top public university psychology program (#26 nationally)
– Highly selective 58% admission rate
Faculty
– 100+ faculty specializing in diverse psychology disciplines
– Leaders in urban-focused research
Research
– 50+ collaborative research labs and centres
– Robust research participation opportunities
Facilities
Cutting-edge facilities through the Center for Cognitive Science
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong Ph.D. program placement rate
– Graduates enhance urban communities as researchers, clinicians, counsellors
-
Marist College
Marist offers comprehensive psychology programs focusing on practical experience tailored to student interests and career goals.
Academics
– Ranked among the best regional university cities in North
– Selective 51% admission rate
Faculty
– 30+ faculty specializing in clinical, asociality, and cognitive psychology
– Scholars integrate theory and practice
Research
– Faculty-led research across disciplines
– Undergraduate research opportunities
Facilities
– Dedicated psychology labs and research spaces
– Clinics delivering community programs
Alumni Outcomes
– Competitive grad school acceptance rates
– Graduates careers as counsellors, case managers, researchers
-
SUNY Binghamton
SUNY Binghamton delivers rigorous psychology programs emphasizing research, diversity, and community wellness.
Academics
– Among the top public university psychology programs
– Highly selective 44% admission rate
Faculty
– 45+ faculty specializing in clinical, cognitive, and social psychology
– Leaders in collaborative research
Research
– 20+ collaborative research labs and centres
– Robust undergraduate research participation
Facilities
Cutting-edge facilities through the Behavioral Neuroscience program
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong Ph.D. program placement rates
– Graduates careers as professors, researchers, clinicians
-
Hofstra University
Hofstra offers respected psychology programs emphasizing research skills, diversity, and experiential learning.
Academics
– Among the best national universities per US News
– Selective 73% admission rate
Faculty
– 70+ faculty specializing in clinical, counselling, and developmental psychology
– Active researchers focused on student mentoring
Research
– Collaborative research across disciplines
– Undergraduate research opportunities
Facilities
– Dedicated psychology research labs
– centres delivering community programs
Alumni Outcomes
– Competitive grad school acceptance rates
– Graduate counsellors, researchers cheers, and more
LIU Post provides top psychology programs emphasizing practical experience through community clinics and learning labs.
Academics
– Among the best regional university cities in North per US News
– Less selective 74% admission rate
Faculty
– 45+ faculty experts in clinical, sound social, and forensic psychology
– Scholars integrate theory with practice
Research
– Faculty-led research across disciplines
– Undergraduate research opportunities
Facilities
– Psychology learning labs
– Community counselling clinics
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong graduate school placemeGraduates’aduates careers as counsellors, researchers, and more
-
SUNY New Paltz
SUNY New Paltz delivers top psychology programs emphasizing research, diversity, and community wellness.
Academics
– Among the top public university psychology programs regionally
– Selective 75% admission rate
Faculty
– 30+ faculty specializing in clinical, cognition, and social psychology
– Leaders in community-focused research
Research
– Collaborative research lacentres centres
– Undergraduate research participation
Facilities
– State-of-the-art psychology labs
– Psychological Counseling Center clinic
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong graduate school placement
– Graduates careers as counsellors, professors, researchers
-
Manhattan College
Manhattan provides personalized psychology programs focused on transforming theory into practice through research, internships, and service learning.
Academics
– Ranked among the best regional university cities in North
– Selective 67% admission rate
Faculty
– 25+ faculty experts emphasizing the psychology practice-research link
– Teacher-scholars mentor undergraduate research
Research
– Faculty-led research across disciplines
– Undergraduate research emphasis
Facilities
– Dedicated psychology labs and research spaces
– Psychology specialty clinics
Alumni Outcomes
– Competitive Ph.D. program acceptance rates
– Graduates careers as professors, counsellors, researchers
-
Pace University
Pace University offers comprehensive psychology programs emphasizing practical experience through research labs, clinics, and community internships.
Academics
– Among the top national universities per US News
– Selective 73% admission rate
Faculty
– 70+ faculty experts across psychological disciplines
– Teacher-practitioners mentor research and practice
Research
– Extensive research labs and participation opportunities
– Community-engaged projects
Facilities
– Cutting-edge labs and facilities
– Clinics serving local needs
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong graduate school placement
– Graduates careers as counsellors, teachers, HR professionals
-
SUNY Oswego
SUNY Oswego provides excellent psychology programs focused on research skills, diversity, and practical experience through community partnerships.
Academics
– Ranked among the top public universities regionally
– Moderately selective 75% admission rate
Faculty
– 30+ faculty experts in clinical, cognitive, and developmental psychology
– Leaders in community-based research
Research
– Robust research opportunities across disciplines
– Focus on practical societal applications
Facilities
– State-of-the-art labs supporting collaborative research
– Community counselling clinic
Alumni Outcomes
– Strong graduate school placement rates
– Graduates careers as counsellors, caseworkers, researchers
Earning a Psychology Degree in New York
As one of the world’s premier education hubs, New York offers stand-out options for pursuing a psychology bachelor’s or graduate degree at these highly respected institutions. Their esteemed faculty, research resources, hands-on learning services, alumni outcomes, and academic prestige make these programs leaders in psychology education.
Consider programs that align with your interests, career goals, and needs to gain the rewards of an invaluable psychology education at New York’s top colleges.
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