Best Online Psychology Programs in Novato, CA (2026)
Novato, California has a population of about 52,689. The city’s median household income is $112,193 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 47.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Novato. 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 Novato
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Novato city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 8.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Marin | Kentfield, CA | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Meridian University | Petaluma, CA | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA | 14.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, CA | 18.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Novato
Novato 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.
Novato at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,689 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $112,193 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 47.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 115.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Marin County | 6,742 workers, 2,465 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Novato-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- San Rafael, CA – 7.3 mi away (58,954 pop)
- Petaluma, CA – 11.0 mi away (66,940 pop)
- Sonoma, CA – 14.7 mi away (33,923 pop)
- San Pablo, CA – 14.7 mi away (30,536 pop)
- Richmond, CA – 15.5 mi away (109,813 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Novato, CA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Novato. The closest is Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA (8.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Sonoma State University (18.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Novato?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Novato 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 Rafael instead of Novato?
San Rafael, CA is 7.3 miles from Novato 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 Novato an affordable place to study psychology?
Novato’s median household income of $112,193 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Novato 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
Back to Best Online Psychology Programs in California (2026)
Return to Best Online Psychology Programs in California (2026)