Best Online Psychology Programs in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina has a population of about 59,889. The city’s median household income is $85,825 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 77.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill. In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $103,700 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Chapel Hill
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Chapel Hill city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 7.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina Central University | Durham, NC | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Meredith College | Raleigh, NC | 21.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 22.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area (BLS area code 20500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $103,700 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $106,250 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | NC statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $78,690 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $80,625 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $60,710 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $62,203 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $81,210 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $83,207 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $58,590 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $60,031 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $77,460 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $79,365 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $66,030 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $67,654 |
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.
Chapel Hill at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,889 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,825 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 77.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Orange County | 2,525 workers, 361 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chapel Hill-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Carrboro, NC – 2.7 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Durham, NC – 8.4 mi away (400,379 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 13.0 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Cary, NC – 16.0 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Apex, NC – 17.0 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Chapel Hill, NC?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill. The closest is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Carolina State University at Raleigh (22.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Chapel Hill?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Chapel Hill are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($103,700), Marriage and Family Therapist ($81,210), School Psychologist ($78,690). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Carrboro instead of Chapel Hill?
Carrboro, NC is 2.7 miles from Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill an affordable place to study psychology?
Chapel Hill’s median household income of $85,825 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chapel Hill while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina 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
- Online Psychology Programs in North Carolina
- Main Psychology Degree Guide
- Psychology Programs by State
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