Best Online Psychology Programs in South Lake Tahoe, CA (2026)
South Lake Tahoe, California has a population of about 21,319. The city’s median household income is $73,940 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of South Lake Tahoe. 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 South Lake Tahoe
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from South Lake Tahoe city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Tahoe Community College | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nevada-Reno | Reno, NV | 42.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Truckee Meadows Community College | Reno, NV | 44.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Folsom Lake College | Folsom, CA | 64.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia College | Sonora, CA | 66.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is part of the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area (BLS area code 40900). 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 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $111,321 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $140,540 | CA statewide | $131,715 |
| School Psychologist | $123,960 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $116,176 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $98,800 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $92,596 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $72,810 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $68,238 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $69,510 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $65,145 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $97,370 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $91,256 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $73,950 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $69,306 |
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.
South Lake Tahoe at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,319 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,940 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in El Dorado County | 3,360 workers, 1,501 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other South Lake Tahoe-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Carson City, NV – 19.3 mi away (57,522 pop)
- Reno, NV – 42.7 mi away (427,007 pop)
- Sparks, NV – 46.1 mi away (98,345 pop)
- Placerville, CA – 46.2 mi away (30,531 pop)
- Grass Valley, CA – 60.8 mi away (34,508 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near South Lake Tahoe, CA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of South Lake Tahoe. The closest is Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe, CA (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Columbia College (66.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near South Lake Tahoe?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near South Lake Tahoe are: Industrial-Organizational Psychologist ($140,540), School Psychologist ($123,960), 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 Carson City instead of South Lake Tahoe?
Carson City, NV is 19.3 miles from South Lake Tahoe 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 South Lake Tahoe an affordable place to study psychology?
South Lake Tahoe’s median household income of $73,940 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South Lake Tahoe 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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