Best Online Psychology Programs in Boston, MA (2026)
Boston, Massachusetts has a population of about 663,972. The city’s median household income is $94,755 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 54.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Boston. In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is School Psychologist at a median $98,150 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Boston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Boston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs | Boston, MA | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| MCPHS University | Boston, MA | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Simmons University | Boston, MA | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emmanuel College | Boston, MA | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Boston
Boston is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area (BLS area code 14460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Massachusetts statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $87,060 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $80,388 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | MA statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $98,150 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $90,628 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $78,850 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,807 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $62,330 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $57,553 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $60,780 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $56,122 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $75,210 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $69,446 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $67,060 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $61,921 |
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.
Boston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,755 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 54.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Suffolk County | 27,983 workers, 8,168 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Boston-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Cambridge, MA – 4.3 mi away (110,651 pop)
- Somerville, MA – 5.0 mi away (81,322 pop)
- Quincy, MA – 5.7 mi away (93,688 pop)
- Chelsea, MA – 5.9 mi away (39,699 pop)
- Watertown, MA – 5.9 mi away (35,025 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Boston, MA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Boston. The closest is Northeastern University in Boston, MA (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Emmanuel College (1.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Boston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Boston are: School Psychologist ($98,150), Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($87,060), Educational and Career Counselor ($78,850). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Cambridge instead of Boston?
Cambridge, MA is 4.3 miles from Boston 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 Boston an affordable place to study psychology?
Boston’s median household income of $94,755 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Boston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts 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.
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