Best Online Psychology Programs in Surprise, AZ (2026)
Surprise, Arizona has a population of about 149,519. The city’s median household income is $93,371 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Surprise. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $108,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Surprise
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Surprise city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa University-Surprise | Surprise, AZ | 6.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale, AZ | 15.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midwestern University-Glendale | Glendale, AZ | 15.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona Christian University | Glendale, AZ | 16.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ | 16.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Surprise
Surprise is part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area (BLS area code 38060). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arizona statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $108,270 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $104,811 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | AZ statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $82,960 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $80,310 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $60,350 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $58,422 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $52,420 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $50,745 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $63,990 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $61,946 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $69,620 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $67,396 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $46,860 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $45,363 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Surprise at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $93,371 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Maricopa County | 88,019 workers, 6,287 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Surprise-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- El Mirage, AZ – 9.5 mi away (35,043 pop)
- Peoria, AZ – 11.4 mi away (164,173 pop)
- Glendale, AZ – 14.8 mi away (245,895 pop)
- Buckeye, AZ – 20.4 mi away (64,629 pop)
- Avondale, AZ – 21.7 mi away (214,235 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Surprise, AZ?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Surprise. The closest is Ottawa University-Surprise in Surprise, AZ (6.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Glendale Community College (16.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Surprise?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Surprise are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($108,270), School Psychologist ($82,960), Healthcare Social Worker ($69,620). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arizona statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in El Mirage instead of Surprise?
El Mirage, AZ is 9.5 miles from Surprise and has its own set of local psychology programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Surprise an affordable place to study psychology?
Surprise’s median household income of $93,371 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Surprise while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arizona public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.