Best Online Psychology Programs in Lakeland, FL (2026)
Lakeland, Florida has a population of about 117,030. The city’s median household income is $60,947 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Lakeland. In the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $92,260 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Lakeland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Lakeland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern University | Lakeland, FL | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 26.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL | 26.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 26.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Lakeland
Lakeland is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area (BLS area code 29460). 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 | $92,260 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $95,015 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | FL statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $65,660 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $67,621 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $49,090 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $50,556 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $50,220 | FL statewide | $51,720 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $64,900 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $66,838 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $71,130 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $73,254 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $56,260 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $57,940 |
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.
Lakeland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,947 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Polk County | 7,028 workers, 1,018 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lakeland-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Plant City, FL – 10.5 mi away (38,200 pop)
- Winter Haven, FL – 15.7 mi away (231,412 pop)
- Zephyrhills, FL – 18.8 mi away (74,712 pop)
- Haines City, FL – 21.0 mi away (23,454 pop)
- Temple Terrace, FL – 25.9 mi away (26,515 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Lakeland, FL?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Lakeland. The closest is Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Warner University (26.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Lakeland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Lakeland are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($92,260), Healthcare Social Worker ($71,130), School Psychologist ($65,660). 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 Plant City instead of Lakeland?
Plant City, FL is 10.5 miles from Lakeland 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 Lakeland an affordable place to study psychology?
Lakeland’s median household income of $60,947 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lakeland 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.