Best Online Psychology Programs in Columbia, SC (2026)
Columbia, South Carolina has a population of about 138,019. The city’s median household income is $55,653 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Columbia. In the Columbia, SC metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is School Psychologist at a median $77,080 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Columbia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Columbia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [South University-Columbia](https://www.southuniversity.edu/columbia#location=Columbia, SC) | Columbia, SC | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedict College | Columbia, SC | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia College | Columbia, SC | 7.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia International University | Columbia, SC | 10.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Columbia
Columbia is part of the Columbia, SC metro area (BLS area code 17900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to South Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | N/A | SC statewide | – |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | SC statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $77,080 | Columbia, SC | $82,263 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $58,990 | Columbia, SC | $62,956 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $62,560 | Columbia, SC | $66,766 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $56,150 | Columbia, SC | $59,925 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $64,590 | Columbia, SC | $68,933 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $46,860 | Columbia, SC | $50,011 |
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.
Columbia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,653 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Richland County | 6,491 workers, 776 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Lexington, SC – 18.4 mi away (20,988 pop)
- Sumter, SC – 30.1 mi away (73,468 pop)
- Orangeburg, SC – 37.6 mi away (31,666 pop)
- Lancaster, SC – 48.1 mi away (25,691 pop)
- Aiken, SC – 58.8 mi away (30,937 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Columbia, SC?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Columbia. The closest is South University-Columbia in Columbia, SC (5.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Columbia International University (10.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Columbia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Columbia are: School Psychologist ($77,080), Healthcare Social Worker ($64,590), Marriage and Family Therapist ($62,560). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Lexington instead of Columbia?
Lexington, SC is 18.4 miles from Columbia 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 Columbia an affordable place to study psychology?
Columbia’s median household income of $55,653 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South 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 South Carolina
- Main Psychology Degree Guide
- Psychology Programs by State
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