Best Online Psychology Programs in Merced, CA (2026)
Merced, California has a population of about 89,766. The city’s median household income is $59,938 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Merced. 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 Merced
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Merced city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of California-Merced | Merced, CA | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | 25.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madera Community College | Madera, CA | 37.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 37.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Merced
Merced is part of the Merced, CA metro area (BLS area code 32900). 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 | $114,520 | CA statewide | $116,501 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $140,540 | CA statewide | $142,970 |
| School Psychologist | $125,660 | Merced, CA | $127,833 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $76,060 | Merced, CA | $77,375 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $73,440 | Merced, CA | $74,710 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $59,840 | Merced, CA | $60,875 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $82,430 | Merced, CA | $83,856 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $57,940 | Merced, CA | $58,942 |
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.
Merced at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,766 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,938 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Merced County | 5,687 workers, 4,183 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Merced-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Atwater, CA – 7.4 mi away (29,270 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 25.0 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Los Banos, CA – 26.1 mi away (37,584 pop)
- Madera, CA – 32.2 mi away (82,278 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 33.3 mi away (48,278 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Merced, CA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Merced. The closest is Merced College in Merced, CA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Modesto Junior College (37.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Merced?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Merced are: Industrial-Organizational Psychologist ($140,540), School Psychologist ($125,660), Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($114,520). 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 Atwater instead of Merced?
Atwater, CA is 7.4 miles from Merced 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 Merced an affordable place to study psychology?
Merced’s median household income of $59,938 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Merced 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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