Best Online Psychology Programs in Fort Walton Beach, FL (2026)
Fort Walton Beach, Florida has a population of about 20,956. The city’s median household income is $66,556 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Fort Walton Beach. In the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $99,650 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Fort Walton Beach
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Fort Walton Beach city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 36.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 76.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 92.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 93.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 94.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach is part of the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metro area (BLS area code 18880). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $99,650 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $102,732 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | FL statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $82,710 | FL statewide | $85,268 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $62,080 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $64,000 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $50,220 | FL statewide | $51,773 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $50,300 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $51,856 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,310 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $64,237 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $50,300 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $51,856 |
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.
Fort Walton Beach at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,956 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,556 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Okaloosa County | 2,805 workers, 368 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fort Walton Beach-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Crestview, FL – 22.5 mi away (36,433 pop)
- Pensacola, FL – 33.9 mi away (352,187 pop)
- Lynn Haven, FL – 59.9 mi away (20,850 pop)
- Panama City, FL – 61.9 mi away (147,788 pop)
- Prichard, AL – 93.0 mi away (22,185 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Fort Walton Beach, FL?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Fort Walton Beach. The closest is University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL (36.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of South Alabama (94.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Fort Walton Beach?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Fort Walton Beach are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($99,650), School Psychologist ($82,710), Healthcare Social Worker ($62,310). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Crestview instead of Fort Walton Beach?
Crestview, FL is 22.5 miles from Fort Walton Beach 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 Fort Walton Beach an affordable place to study psychology?
Fort Walton Beach’s median household income of $66,556 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Walton Beach while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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.