MS in Psychology in USA - Top Colleges and Fees 2026

Why Study MS in Psychology in USA?

An MS in USA is a great option for international students considering pursuing higher studies abroad. Home to more than 650 universities offering MS courses, the United States stands as one of the best countries for these programs due to its renowned universities and the high-quality education it provides to its students. A majority of the universities offering masters in USA have a course duration of 2 years. However, a few of the universities have a duration between 1 to 2+ years.

Masters of Psychology in the USA offers many opportunities for international students including studying in best ranked universities, various specializations to choose from, high quality education and reseach, and clinical training opportunities. The overall course duration is 12 to 36 months along with a fees range between INR 13 Lakhs to INR 69 Lakhs every year. 

Highlights for MS in Psychology in USA

Factors	Particulars/Statistics
Total no. of MS in Psychology in USA	Approximately 110 Colleges
MS in Psychology Cost in USA	Tuition Fee: INR 13 Lakhs  – INR 69 Lakhs per year
Top Specializations	Counseling Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
Exams Required	GRE/IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo

Top MS in Psychology Universities in USA

The overall subject rankings of Psychology according to the Times Higher Education University Rankings 2025 for top universities in USA are given as follows:

Universities	THE Psychology Rank 2025
University of Pennsylvania	#8
Columbia University	#14
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	#38
University of Wisconsin-Madison	#39
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	#48
Georgia Institute of Technology	#101
Arizona State University	#101
Florida Institute of Technology	#501

Top Cities to Study MS in Psychology in USA 

Some of the most popular cities in USA where international students can choose MS in Psychology are given as follows:

• California 
• Pennsylvania
• Florida 
• Georgia 
• Illinois 
• New York 
• Texas 
• Alabama

Top MS in Psychology Specialisations in USA

MS in Psychology offers a range of specializations that students can focus on while pursuing the course. Some of the popular MS in Psychology specializations in USA are given as follows:

• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Industrial Organizational Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Neuropsychology

MS in Psychology Admission Requirements in USA

The general admission requirements for MS in Psychology courses in USA are given as follows:

• Bachelors Degree 
• Strong GPA
• Standardised Test Scores
• Additional Academic Documents 
• Research Experience
• English Language Proficiency 

Entrance Exams Accepted by MS in Psychology Universities in USA

The entrance exams that are accepted for MS in Psychology courses in the USA are given as follows:

• TOEFL
• IELTS 
• GRE 
• PTE
• Duolingo 

Cost of studying MS in Psychology in USA

This table provides insight into the tuition fees for MS courses in the USA and the approximate cost of living for several top universities. University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University exhibit higher tuition fees, with University of Pennsylvania ranging having the tuition fee around INR 60 L and INR 47 L for Columbia University. Coming to the cost of living for MS courses in the US also varies a it depends on the individual's spending power. Check the MS in Psychology cost in USA for Indian students from the table given below:

University	Psychology courses 1st-Year Tuition Fee
Columbia University	INR 47 Lakhs
University of Pennsylvania	INR 60 Lakhs
University of Wisconsin-Madison	INR 16 Lakhs to INR 24 Lakhs
DePaul University	INR 16 Lakhs
Missouri State University	INR 13 Lakhs to INR 20 Lakhs
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	INR 18 Lakhs to INR 27 Lakhs
Georgia Institute of Technology	INR 19 Lakhs

Cost of Living in USA 

While studying in USA, the living expenses in USA include not just accommodation costs, room, and board, food but also costs for travel, textbooks, weather-appropriate clothing, and entertainment expenses as well. The table given below specifies the estimated student cost of living in the USA that is based on different expenses.

Expenses in USA	Average Yearly / Monthly cost
Books and study material	USD 900 - USD 2,000 per year
Travel	USD 300 - USD 700 per year
Accommodation	USD 9,800 - USD 11,100 per year
Electricity	USD 100 - USD 150 per month
Food	On campus: USD 250 per month Off-campus: USD 400 - USD 600 per month
Phone subscription	USD 50 per month
Home Internet	USD 45 - USD 50 per month
Health Insurance	USD 700 - USD 1,100 per year
Clothes	USD 500 per year
Water, Trash and Sewer	USD 50 - USD 75 per month

Note: These amounts will differ from state to state within the US. On average, the cost of Indian food in the USA is around USD 350 - USD 400 for one person. 

Student Visa Fee in USA

All international students require a USA Student Visa to study at a university in the USA. The student visas are segregated into F1 and J1 visas. The J-1 visa, also known as the J-student visa is specially designed for international students participating in exchange programs in the United States. This visa category allows students to engage in academic or cultural exchange activities. International students who are applying for a J-1 Visa must have a sponsorship.

Coming to F1 Visa is tailored for full-time academic study in the US. One must possess Form I20, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student Status. The F1 visa student fee is USD 185. Check more details about USA Student Visa from here. 

Jobs after MS in Psychology in USA 

The US MS in Psychology Colleges average package for graduates is USD 88,925 Or INR 77.08 LPA by Payscale. This is the data for a Psychology degree in the US. Some of the job profiles for which the graduates can go after are Counselor, Therapist, School Psychologist, Rehabilitation Counselor, Clinical Social Worker, and Mental Health Counseloretc. The salary as per job profiles are given below:

Job Titles	Average Salary
Mental Health Therapist	USD 60,386
Licensed Professional Counselor	USD 57,759
Psychometrist	USD 53,927
Mental Health Counselor	USD 49,005
Clinical Therapist	USD 50,133
Mental Health Clinician	USD 66,390

Tasneem Hoda09-25-2025 17:09