Best Online Psychology Programs in Salem, OR (2026)
Salem, Oregon has a population of about 176,666. The city’s median household income is $71,900 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Salem. In the Salem, OR metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $134,440 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Salem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willamette University | Salem, OR | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Corban University | Salem, OR | 4.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Oregon University | Monmouth, OR | 11.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Linfield University | McMinnville, OR | 21.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany, OR | 23.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Oregon schools on the Oregon psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Salem
Salem is part of the Salem, OR metro area (BLS area code 41420). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Oregon statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $134,440 | Salem, OR | $129,768 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $94,180 | OR statewide | $90,907 |
| School Psychologist | $91,660 | Salem, OR | $88,475 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $76,200 | Salem, OR | $73,552 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $76,140 | Salem, OR | $73,494 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $74,810 | Salem, OR | $72,210 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $80,720 | Salem, OR | $77,915 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $72,640 | Salem, OR | $70,116 |
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.
Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,900 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Marion County | 9,487 workers, 1,235 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Salem-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Keizer, OR – 5.5 mi away (38,980 pop)
- Woodburn, OR – 17.5 mi away (35,007 pop)
- Albany, OR – 20.7 mi away (60,463 pop)
- McMinnville, OR – 21.5 mi away (41,998 pop)
- Newberg, OR – 26.7 mi away (28,516 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Salem, OR?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Salem. The closest is Willamette University in Salem, OR (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Linn-Benton Community College (23.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Salem are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($134,440), Industrial-Organizational Psychologist ($94,180), School Psychologist ($91,660). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Oregon statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Keizer instead of Salem?
Keizer, OR is 5.5 miles from Salem 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 Salem an affordable place to study psychology?
Salem’s median household income of $71,900 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salem while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Oregon 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.