Best Online Psychology Programs in Sarasota, FL (2026)
Sarasota, Florida has a population of about 56,218. The city’s median household income is $70,065 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Sarasota. In the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $124,800 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Sarasota
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Sarasota city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 27.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tampa | Tampa, FL | 42.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| [South University-Tampa](https://www.southuniversity.edu/tampa#location=Tampa, FL) | Tampa, FL | 44.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 49.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 50.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Sarasota
Sarasota is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL metro area (BLS area code 35840). 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 | $124,800 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $121,875 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | FL statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $83,850 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $81,885 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $63,780 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $62,285 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $50,220 | FL statewide | $49,043 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $58,880 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $57,500 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $67,660 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $66,074 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $51,740 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $50,527 |
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.
Sarasota at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,218 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,065 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Sarasota County | 5,198 workers, 920 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Sarasota-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Bradenton, FL – 10.6 mi away (55,687 pop)
- Venice, FL – 17.3 mi away (22,465 pop)
- North Port, FL – 28.8 mi away (190,003 pop)
- Saint Petersburg, FL – 32.2 mi away (260,999 pop)
- Pinellas Park, FL – 37.3 mi away (52,137 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Sarasota, FL?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Sarasota. The closest is Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, FL (27.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of South Florida (50.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Sarasota?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Sarasota are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($124,800), School Psychologist ($83,850), Healthcare Social Worker ($67,660). 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 Bradenton instead of Sarasota?
Bradenton, FL is 10.6 miles from Sarasota 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 Sarasota an affordable place to study psychology?
Sarasota’s median household income of $70,065 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sarasota 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.