Best Online Psychology Programs in Hayward, CA (2026)
Hayward, California has a population of about 159,201. The city’s median household income is $113,775 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Hayward. 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 Hayward
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Hayward city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chabot College | Hayward, CA | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-East Bay | Hayward, CA | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ohlone College | Fremont, CA | 11.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merritt College | Oakland, CA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Menlo College | Atherton, CA | 13.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Hayward
Hayward 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.
Hayward at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $113,775 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.6% | 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 Hayward-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Union City, CA – 3.8 mi away (75,322 pop)
- San Leandro, CA – 6.8 mi away (90,465 pop)
- Newark, CA – 8.2 mi away (45,810 pop)
- Fremont, CA – 8.9 mi away (233,136 pop)
- Pleasanton, CA – 11.0 mi away (82,270 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Hayward, CA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Hayward. The closest is Chabot College in Hayward, CA (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Menlo College (13.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Hayward?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Hayward 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 Union City instead of Hayward?
Union City, CA is 3.8 miles from Hayward 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 Hayward an affordable place to study psychology?
Hayward’s median household income of $113,775 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hayward 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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