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Everything You Need to Know about the Best Undergraduate Psychology Programs

Do you ever find yourself looking at someone and trying to figure out what makes them tick? Are you curious about how the brain works? Do you enjoy helping your friends when they aren’t feeling like themselves? Then psychology might be the right major for you. If you’re considering pursuing the field, you’re probably wondering what are the best undergraduate psychology programs out there.

When you think of psychology, your mind might conjure images of psychiatrists helping patients as they lay on chez lounges, doctors looking at brain scans, or researchers interviewing participants. Although all of these scenarios could be in your future (minus the presence of a chez lounge, perhaps), these aren’t the only things you can do with a degree in psychology. 

Psychology majors can go on to be many things besides doctors or researchers - they could be marketing managers, human resources specialists, educators, advertising executives, career counselors, anything. I myself received a degree in psychology from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and now work at InGenius Prep! Learning about how people’s minds work and what motivates them can help in many different fields.

So you know psychology could help you reach your career goals and you’re interested in studying it. Now what do you do? In this blog, I’ve outlined the best undergraduate psychology programs, what each of these programs has to offer, as well as tips for preparing to major in psychology while in high school. 

The Best Undergraduate Psychology Programs in the Country

Though most universities offer psychology programs, you may be interested in attending one of the best undergraduate psychology programs. These schools have renowned faculty as well as some of the most accomplished research labs.

Below is a list of the universities that are home to US News’ 20 best undergraduate psychology programs, along with their locations:

As you can see, this list contains a variety of different schools, from Ivy League institutions to schools that don’t rank among the top 20 schools nationwide. Just because a school has a famous name doesn’t mean it has a strong program in any given field. If you are truly passionate about psychology, you should focus on the strength of a school’s psychology department rather than the name or competitiveness of the overall institution.

What do the Different Undergraduate Psychology Programs Have to Offer?

At the core of all of the best undergraduate psychology programs is a general education in psychology concepts. As you progress through a given program, you will be able to take courses in more concentrated areas such as social psychology or neuroscience. At some schools like Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Illinois, you are able to declare a concentration or track for your specific area of interest.

There is also the research and lab courses component. At many of the best undergraduate psychology programs, taking research classes is required for graduation. These schools also offer opportunities outside of the classroom such as working in faculty labs or conducting independent research. I found that the lab courses at the University of Michigan helped me apply the knowledge I learned in class, such as statistical analysis. Whether you plan to become a researcher or not, these courses can be extremely valuable. 

The areas of academic specialty, research opportunities, as well as student organizations for psychology majors at some of the best undergraduate psychology programs are listed below:

Research opportunities, including the ability to conduct original studies and write a thesis, are a staple of the best undergraduate psychology programs. What will differentiate these experiences are the faculty and labs you will be able to work with on each campus. If you are especially interested in research, look into the specific topics that the faculty labs study to find if any in particular interest you. 

While some of the best undergraduate psychology programs offer additional out-of-class opportunities such as field work, others do not. If you hope to gain more hands-on experience during college, then schools like the University of Michigan, which offers service-learning courses, or the University of Illinois, which offers community internships, might be right for you. 

What to do if You Want to Study Psychology

If you’re interested in studying psychology in one of the best undergraduate psychology programs, you’re probably wondering what you can do while still in high school to start your education and show this interest on college applications. Below are some suggestions for getting involved in the field before college:

• Take AP Psychology: My AP Psychology course was what ultimately caused me to want to study psychology further in college. This class’s curriculum covers much of the same material as a college introduction to psychology course, so it will give you a good idea of what you will learn in the field. And at some universities, a high enough score on the AP test will allow you to gain college credit and perhaps skip the introductory psychology course. Having this class on your transcript can show how you’ve actively pursued your academic interest. 
• Start a Wellness Club: If you have a passion for helping others, founding a wellness or mental health group at your school is a great option. Try starting support groups for your classmates who struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses. Invite experts to give talks about topics that impact students and teenagers. Research coping and stress management techniques and share them with your peers.
• Volunteer with Students Receiving Special Education Services: Students who suffer from learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and mental health issues often receive specialized education services from their schools. Reach out the Special Ed teachers at your school to learn how you can aid these students. This will give you the opportunity to simultaneously learn how psychology affects people’s day-to-day lives and help your peers.
• Attend Lectures: Research the universities in your local area and find out if their classes and lectures are open to the public. Attending lectures will allow you to get an idea of what your classes will be like when you’re in college. You may also be able to make valuable connections with psychology professors or talk about what you gained from the experience in your college essays.
• Conduct Research: Doing research can help solidify psychology concepts that you learn. Try reaching out to professors to ask if you can volunteer in their lab or talk to them about their research. This will give you real-life experience utilizing concepts, will give you university connections, and will make for excellent, concrete experiences to put on your application. 

Many schools ask about your academic area of interest in their supplemental essays. For example, Yale asks “Students at Yale have plenty of time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.” Having first-hand experiences with college-level psychology courses and research would make excellent additions to these essays.

Choosing the best undergraduate psychology program can be a difficult process, but if you start engaging in the subject early, the decision will undoubtedly become easier. Spend time reading and learning about the different concentrations within psychology and find which ones speak to you. Understanding your interests better will help you learn which type of program will benefit you the most. Good luck!