Best Online Psychology Programs in Chico, CA (2026)
Chico, California has a population of about 102,032. The city’s median household income is $67,929 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Chico. In California, the top-earning psychology-related role is Industrial-Organizational Psychologist at a median $140,540 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Chico
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Chico city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Chico | Chico, CA | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Butte College | Oroville, CA | 11.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Yuba College | Marysville, CA | 46.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Simpson University | Redding, CA | 65.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shasta College | Redding, CA | 65.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Chico
Chico is part of the Chico, CA metro area (BLS area code 17020). 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 | $94,060 | Chico, CA | $92,945 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $140,540 | CA statewide | $138,874 |
| School Psychologist | $118,310 | CA statewide | $116,907 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $93,890 | Chico, CA | $92,777 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $70,000 | Chico, CA | $69,170 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $62,420 | Chico, CA | $61,680 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $110,030 | Chico, CA | $108,725 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $51,420 | Chico, CA | $50,810 |
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.
Chico at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,032 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,929 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Butte County | 7,221 workers, 3,919 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chico-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Paradise, CA – 11.1 mi away (35,163 pop)
- Oroville, CA – 22.2 mi away (45,445 pop)
- Yuba City, CA – 44.0 mi away (120,159 pop)
- Grass Valley, CA – 54.8 mi away (34,508 pop)
- Redding, CA – 63.2 mi away (120,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Chico, CA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Chico. The closest is California State University-Chico in Chico, CA (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Shasta College (65.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Chico?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Chico are: Industrial-Organizational Psychologist ($140,540), School Psychologist ($118,310), Healthcare Social Worker ($110,030). 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 Paradise instead of Chico?
Paradise, CA is 11.1 miles from Chico 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 Chico an affordable place to study psychology?
Chico’s median household income of $67,929 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chico 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.
Related Resources
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