Best Online Psychology Programs in Berkeley, CA (2026)
Berkeley, California has a population of about 120,223. The city’s median household income is $108,558 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 75.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Berkeley. In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $160,210 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Berkeley
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Berkeley city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley City College | Berkeley, CA | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The Wright Institute | Berkeley, CA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Laney College | Oakland, CA | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Alameda | Alameda, CA | 6.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Berkeley
Berkeley is part of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area (BLS area code 41860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $160,210 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $138,590 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $140,540 | CA statewide | $121,574 |
| School Psychologist | $127,730 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $110,493 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $100,960 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $87,336 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $76,980 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $66,592 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $72,950 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $63,106 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $103,440 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $89,481 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $78,660 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $68,045 |
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.
Berkeley at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $108,558 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 75.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 115.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Alameda County | 56,574 workers, 30,872 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Berkeley-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- El Cerrito, CA – 3.6 mi away (25,400 pop)
- Richmond, CA – 6.2 mi away (109,813 pop)
- Oakland, CA – 6.5 mi away (420,005 pop)
- San Pablo, CA – 7.2 mi away (30,536 pop)
- Alameda, CA – 7.3 mi away (78,906 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Berkeley, CA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Berkeley. The closest is Berkeley City College in Berkeley, CA (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of Alameda (6.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Berkeley?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Berkeley are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($160,210), Industrial-Organizational Psychologist ($140,540), School Psychologist ($127,730). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in El Cerrito instead of Berkeley?
El Cerrito, CA is 3.6 miles from Berkeley 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 Berkeley an affordable place to study psychology?
Berkeley’s median household income of $108,558 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Berkeley while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California 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.
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