Best Online Psychology Programs in Portsmouth, VA (2026)
Portsmouth, Virginia has a population of about 97,299. The city’s median household income is $58,972 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Portsmouth. In the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $87,110 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Portsmouth
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Portsmouth city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | 3.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk, VA | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Regent University | Virginia Beach, VA | 9.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach, VA | 9.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hampton University | Hampton, VA | 12.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Portsmouth
Portsmouth is part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area (BLS area code 47260). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $87,110 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $88,979 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | VA statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $81,950 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $83,708 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $66,520 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $67,947 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $81,400 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $83,146 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $57,570 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $58,805 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,470 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,789 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $61,340 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,656 |
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.
Portsmouth at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,299 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,972 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Portsmouth (city) County | 475 workers, 306 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portsmouth-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Norfolk, VA – 6.2 mi away (245,115 pop)
- Chesapeake, VA – 12.0 mi away (237,940 pop)
- Hampton, VA – 14.4 mi away (135,410 pop)
- Virginia Beach, VA – 18.9 mi away (1,487,505 pop)
- Suffolk, VA – 19.0 mi away (89,273 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Portsmouth, VA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Portsmouth. The closest is Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA (3.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Hampton University (12.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Portsmouth?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Portsmouth are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($87,110), School Psychologist ($81,950), Marriage and Family Therapist ($81,400). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Norfolk instead of Portsmouth?
Norfolk, VA is 6.2 miles from Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth an affordable place to study psychology?
Portsmouth’s median household income of $58,972 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portsmouth while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia 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
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