Best Online Psychology Programs in Madison, WI (2026)
Madison, Wisconsin has a population of about 275,568. The city’s median household income is $76,983 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited psychology programs within 100 miles of Madison. In the Madison, WI metro area, the top-earning psychology-related role is Clinical and Counseling Psychologist at a median $119,310 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Psychology Schools to Madison
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer psychology programs. Distances are calculated from Madison city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Edgewood College | Madison, WI | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater, WI | 37.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Beloit College | Beloit, WI | 43.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Carroll University | Waukesha, WI | 59.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin psychology page.
Psychology Wages Near Madison
Madison is part of the Madison, WI metro area (BLS area code 31540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Wisconsin statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $119,310 | Madison, WI | $122,621 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | N/A | WI statewide | – |
| School Psychologist | $77,930 | Madison, WI | $80,092 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $66,950 | Madison, WI | $68,808 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $34,700 | WI statewide | $35,663 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor | $63,400 | Madison, WI | $65,159 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $69,680 | Madison, WI | $71,614 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $56,900 | Madison, WI | $58,479 |
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.
Madison at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,983 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Psychology-related employment in Dane County | 16,189 workers, 2,281 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Madison-Area Cities With Psychology Programs
- Fitchburg, WI – 6.8 mi away (28,875 pop)
- Sun Prairie, WI – 10.6 mi away (32,820 pop)
- Fort Atkinson, WI – 29.7 mi away (21,399 pop)
- Janesville, WI – 33.4 mi away (70,299 pop)
- Watertown, WI – 34.3 mi away (23,304 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited psychology programs are near Madison, WI?
Our directory lists 5 psychology programs within 100 miles of Madison. The closest is University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Carroll University (59.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying psychology roles near Madison?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying psychology-related roles near Madison are: Clinical and Counseling Psychologist ($119,310), School Psychologist ($77,930), Healthcare Social Worker ($69,680). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Wisconsin statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fitchburg instead of Madison?
Fitchburg, WI is 6.8 miles from Madison 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 Madison an affordable place to study psychology?
Madison’s median household income of $76,983 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Madison while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Wisconsin 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.
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