Best Online Psychology Programs in Waco, TX (2026)
Waco, Texas has a population of about 141,925. The city’s median household income is $51,468 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Waco. In Texas, the top-earning psychology-related role is Industrial-Organizational Psychologist at a median $130,630 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Waco
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Waco city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLennan Community College | Waco, TX | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baylor University | Waco, TX | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Temple College | Temple, TX | 35.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton, TX | 37.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas A&M University-Central Texas | Killeen, TX | 49.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Waco
Waco is part of the Waco, TX metro area (BLS area code 47380). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Texas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $78,040 | Waco, TX | $84,368 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $130,630 | TX statewide | $141,222 |
| School Psychologist | $78,150 | TX statewide | $84,486 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $63,160 | Waco, TX | $68,281 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $45,690 | TX statewide | $49,395 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $57,290 | Waco, TX | $61,935 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $68,220 | Waco, TX | $73,751 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $41,790 | Waco, TX | $45,178 |
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.
Waco at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,468 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in McLennan County | 3,204 workers, 308 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waco-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Temple, TX – 33.4 mi away (100,641 pop)
- Belton, TX – 38.8 mi away (20,873 pop)
- Harker Heights, TX – 43.9 mi away (29,757 pop)
- Killeen, TX – 46.2 mi away (243,947 pop)
- Copperas Cove, TX – 52.6 mi away (32,808 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Waco, TX?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Waco. The closest is McLennan Community College in Waco, TX (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Texas A&M University-Central Texas (49.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Waco?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Waco are: Industrial-Organizational Psychologist ($130,630), School Psychologist ($78,150), Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($78,040). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Texas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Temple instead of Waco?
Temple, TX is 33.4 miles from Waco 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 Waco an affordable place to study psychology?
Waco’s median household income of $51,468 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waco while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Texas 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.