Best Online Psychology Programs in Bellingham, WA (2026)
Bellingham, Washington has a population of about 92,367. The city’s median household income is $65,821 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. In Washington, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $115,050 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Bellingham
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Bellingham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell, WA | 69.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bastyr University | Kenmore, WA | 71.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | 76.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle, WA | 76.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Bellingham
Bellingham is part of the Bellingham, WA metro area (BLS area code 13380). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Washington statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $115,050 | WA statewide | $111,375 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | WA statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $102,860 | Bellingham, WA | $99,574 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $72,480 | Bellingham, WA | $70,165 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $59,660 | WA statewide | $57,754 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $71,250 | Bellingham, WA | $68,974 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $74,110 | Bellingham, WA | $71,742 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $76,180 | Bellingham, WA | $73,746 |
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.
Bellingham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,821 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Whatcom County | 4,605 workers, 356 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bellingham-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Mount Vernon, WA – 24.1 mi away (68,613 pop)
- Oak Harbor, WA – 32.5 mi away (34,689 pop)
- Marysville, WA – 48.6 mi away (163,547 pop)
- Lake Stevens, WA – 54.6 mi away (31,679 pop)
- Sequim, WA – 55.0 mi away (20,330 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Bellingham, WA?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. The closest is Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Seattle Pacific University (76.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Bellingham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Bellingham are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($115,050), School Psychologist ($102,860), Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker ($76,180). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Washington statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Mount Vernon instead of Bellingham?
Mount Vernon, WA is 24.1 miles from Bellingham 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 Bellingham an affordable place to study psychology?
Bellingham’s median household income of $65,821 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bellingham while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Washington 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
Back to Best Online Psychology Programs in Washington (2026)
Return to Best Online Psychology Programs in Washington (2026)