Best Online Psychology Programs in Monterey, CA (2026)
Monterey, California has a population of about 29,772. The city’s median household income is $104,110 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 54.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Monterey. 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 Monterey
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Monterey city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey Peninsula College | Monterey, CA | 0.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Monterey Bay | Seaside, CA | 6.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | 13.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cabrillo College | Aptos, CA | 27.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | 29.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Monterey
Monterey is part of the Salinas, CA metro area (BLS area code 41500). 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 | $118,780 | Salinas, CA | $108,972 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $140,540 | CA statewide | $128,936 |
| School Psychologist | $126,730 | Salinas, CA | $116,266 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $97,790 | Salinas, CA | $89,716 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $64,230 | Salinas, CA | $58,927 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $61,350 | Salinas, CA | $56,284 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $96,840 | Salinas, CA | $88,844 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $77,150 | Salinas, CA | $70,780 |
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.
Monterey at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,772 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $104,110 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 54.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 109.0 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Monterey County | 8,664 workers, 5,806 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Monterey-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Seaside, CA – 4.0 mi away (118,670 pop)
- Marina, CA – 8.0 mi away (21,688 pop)
- Salinas, CA – 15.3 mi away (193,126 pop)
- Watsonville, CA – 23.5 mi away (77,266 pop)
- Santa Cruz, CA – 28.0 mi away (176,037 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Monterey, CA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Monterey. The closest is Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, CA (0.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of California-Santa Cruz (29.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Monterey?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Monterey are: Industrial-Organizational Psychologist ($140,540), School Psychologist ($126,730), Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($118,780). 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 Seaside instead of Monterey?
Seaside, CA is 4.0 miles from Monterey 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 Monterey an affordable place to study psychology?
Monterey’s median household income of $104,110 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Monterey 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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