Best Online Psychology Programs in Riverside, CA (2026)
Riverside, California has a population of about 316,241. The city’s median household income is $88,575 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Riverside. 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 Riverside
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Riverside city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Baptist University | Riverside, CA | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of California-Riverside | Riverside, CA | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| La Sierra University | Riverside, CA | 6.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Norco College | Norco, 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 Riverside
Riverside is part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area (BLS area code 40140). 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 | $96,600 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $90,789 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $140,540 | CA statewide | $132,086 |
| School Psychologist | $124,200 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $116,729 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $99,540 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $93,553 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $60,780 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,124 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $60,860 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,199 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $92,790 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $87,209 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $83,710 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $78,675 |
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.
Riverside at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $88,575 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Riverside County | 61,443 workers, 39,644 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Riverside-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Colton, CA – 8.9 mi away (54,712 pop)
- Norco, CA – 8.9 mi away (26,714 pop)
- Eastvale, CA – 10.7 mi away (61,151 pop)
- Moreno Valley, CA – 11.0 mi away (205,499 pop)
- Corona, CA – 11.0 mi away (166,785 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Riverside, CA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Riverside. The closest is California Baptist University in Riverside, CA (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Norco College (10.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Riverside?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Riverside are: Industrial-Organizational Psychologist ($140,540), School Psychologist ($124,200), Educational and Career Counselor ($99,540). 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 Colton instead of Riverside?
Colton, CA is 8.9 miles from Riverside 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 Riverside an affordable place to study psychology?
Riverside’s median household income of $88,575 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Riverside 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)