Best Online Psychology Programs in Forest Lake, MN (2026)
Forest Lake, Minnesota has a population of about 20,678. The city’s median household income is $89,879 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Forest Lake. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $103,510 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Forest Lake
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Forest Lake city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | 16.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 18.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | 21.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hamline University | Saint Paul, MN | 22.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 23.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Forest Lake
Forest Lake is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area (BLS area code 33460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Minnesota statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $103,510 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $98,769 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | MN statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $85,090 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $81,193 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $64,210 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $61,269 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $72,910 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $69,571 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $60,540 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $57,767 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $72,590 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $69,265 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $77,540 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $73,989 |
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.
Forest Lake at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,678 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $89,879 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Washington County | 5,531 workers, 710 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Forest Lake-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Lino Lakes, MN – 8.5 mi away (21,018 pop)
- White Bear Lake, MN – 13.3 mi away (25,634 pop)
- Blaine, MN – 13.5 mi away (62,892 pop)
- Shoreview, MN – 14.6 mi away (26,548 pop)
- New Brighton, MN – 17.7 mi away (22,496 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Forest Lake, MN?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Forest Lake. The closest is Bethel University in Saint Paul, MN (16.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Concordia University-Saint Paul (23.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Forest Lake?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Forest Lake are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($103,510), School Psychologist ($85,090), Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker ($77,540). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Minnesota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Lino Lakes instead of Forest Lake?
Lino Lakes, MN is 8.5 miles from Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake an affordable place to study psychology?
Forest Lake’s median household income of $89,879 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Forest Lake while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Minnesota 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
Back to Best Online Psychology Programs in Minnesota (2026)
Return to Best Online Psychology Programs in Minnesota (2026)