Best Online Psychology Programs in Foster City, CA (2026)
Foster City, California has a population of about 32,964. The city’s median household income is $193,633 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 74.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Foster City. 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 Foster City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Foster City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame de Namur University | Belmont, CA | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of San Mateo | San Mateo, CA | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Canada College | Redwood City, CA | 7.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Menlo College | Atherton, CA | 8.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Foster City
Foster City 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.
Foster City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,964 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $193,633 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 74.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 115.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in San Mateo County | 19,364 workers, 8,107 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Foster City-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- San Mateo, CA – 2.5 mi away (103,959 pop)
- Belmont, CA – 3.2 mi away (27,081 pop)
- San Carlos, CA – 3.9 mi away (29,797 pop)
- Redwood City, CA – 4.3 mi away (84,950 pop)
- Burlingame, CA – 5.9 mi away (30,301 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Foster City, CA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Foster City. The closest is Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA (2.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Stanford University (10.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Foster City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Foster City 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 San Mateo instead of Foster City?
San Mateo, CA is 2.5 miles from Foster City 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 Foster City an affordable place to study psychology?
Foster City’s median household income of $193,633 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Foster City 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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