Top 10 Universities for Industrial-Organizational Psychology in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Direct answer
Rice University is the best university for industrial-organizational psychology, ranked #1 in the 2022 edition of the U.S. News I-O psychology ranking, with Michigan State University at #2 and Bowling Green State University and the University of South Florida tied at #3.
Tied #2 in the 2018 edition; not among the ranked programs in 2022
I-O training in a technology-focused department
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Rice University
Best for funding at acceptance
Michigan State University
Best in Florida
University of South Florida
Best near Washington, D.C.
George Mason University
Smallest cohort
Texas A&M University, College Station
The ranking
1
Rice University
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Answrs VerdictThe top-ranked I-O program in the 2022 U.S. News list.
U.S. News I-O rank: #1, 2022 editionLocation: Houston, TexasDegree: PhD in Psychology with an I-O concentration; 90 total credit hoursAdmits: 5-10 doctoral students each fall
Rice, in Houston, Texas, ranks #1 in the 2022 U.S. News list. Its I-O PhD sits inside the Psychology degree and requires 90 total credit hours, and the department admits 5-10 doctoral students each fall.
Go ifA small PhD cohort at the school U.S. News put first
Skip ifYou want a terminal master’s degree
Why #1 over #2: It holds the #1 spot ahead of Michigan State at #2.
2
Michigan State University
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Answrs VerdictA long-time I-O powerhouse at #2.
U.S. News I-O rank: #2, 2022 editionLocation: East Lansing, MichiganProgram: Organizational Psychology in the Department of Psychology, with Ph.D. alumni in academia and practiceFunding: Graduate students typically are awarded funding at the time of acceptance, via a fellowship or an assistantship
Michigan State, in East Lansing, Michigan, ranks #2. Its Organizational Psychology program sits in the Department of Psychology, and graduate students typically are awarded funding at the time of acceptance.
Go ifA research PhD with funding typically awarded at acceptance
Skip ifYou need funding guaranteed in writing before you apply
Why #2 over #3: It ranks #2, ahead of the two programs tied at #3.
3
Bowling Green State University
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Answrs VerdictDecades-long standing at the top.
U.S. News I-O rank: #3 (tie), 2022 editionLocation: Bowling Green, OhioEstablished: I-O program established in 1965Time to degree: Most students complete the master’s and PhD in 4.5 yearsFunding: Tuition waiver and stipend for at least four years while progressing
Bowling Green State, in Bowling Green, Ohio, ties at #3. Its I-O program was established in 1965, and most students complete the master’s and PhD in 4.5 years.
Go ifOne of the oldest I-O programs, with an applied research institute
Skip ifYou want a big-city campus
Why #3 over #4: It is listed first among the two programs tied at #3 in the U.S. News order.
4
University of South Florida
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Answrs VerdictTied at #3 and the top I-O program in Florida.
U.S. News I-O rank: #3 (tie), 2022 editionLocation: Tampa, FloridaFormat: Full-time, in-person PhD concentrationFunding: Assistantship including tuition and a stipend; with limited exceptions this support extends for 5 years
The University of South Florida, in Tampa, ties at #3. The PhD concentration is full-time and in person, with assistantship support that with limited exceptions extends for 5 years.
Go ifA funded, in-person PhD in Florida
Skip ifYou want a terminal master’s degree
Why #4 over #5: It shares #3 with Bowling Green and sits ahead of the #5 programs.
5
George Mason University
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Answrs VerdictA strong public option at #5.
U.S. News I-O rank: #5 (tie), 2022 editionLocation: Fairfax, VirginiaDegree: PhD in Psychology, I-O concentration; 72 credits including at least 12 of dissertation researchFunding: Full tuition waiver and stipend offered at admission for the first 4 years
George Mason, in Fairfax, Virginia, ties at #5. The concentration requires 72 credits, including at least 12 of dissertation research, with a full tuition waiver and stipend offered for the first 4 years.
Go ifI-O training near the Washington, D.C. area
Skip ifYou need guaranteed funding past year 4
Why #5 over #6: It is listed ahead of Penn State, which shares #5.
6
Pennsylvania State University
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Answrs VerdictTied at #5 with practicum-heavy training.
U.S. News I-O rank: #5 (tie), 2022 editionLocation: University Park, PennsylvaniaFormat: A full-time PhD program; students are not admitted as terminal master’s studentsFunding: Traditionally funds students through assistantships for the first five years, plus tuition waiver
Penn State, at University Park, Pennsylvania, ties at #5. It is a full-time PhD program that does not admit terminal master’s students, and students are traditionally funded through assistantships for the first five years.
Go ifA scientist-practitioner PhD with practicum projects
Skip ifYou want a part-time or terminal master’s route
Why #6 over #7: It shares #5 and sits ahead of the three programs tied at #7.
7
Purdue University
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Answrs VerdictGuaranteed funding and a big research university.
U.S. News I-O rank: #7 (tie), 2022 editionLocation: West Lafayette, IndianaDegree: PhD only, with a program length of 4-6 yearsFunding: Guaranteed funding for five years with strong progress
Purdue, in West Lafayette, Indiana, ties at #7. It offers a PhD only, with a program length of 4-6 years and guaranteed funding for five years with strong progress.
Go ifA science-practice PhD with guaranteed funding
Skip ifYou want to skip the GRE
Why #7 over #8: It is listed first among the three programs tied at #7.
8
Texas A&M University, College Station
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Answrs VerdictTied at #7 with a small, selective cohort.
U.S. News I-O rank: #7 (tie), 2022 editionLocation: College Station, TexasCohort size: Averages about 20 full-time students, with approximately 3-4 new students each fallTimeline: Designed for completion in approximately five years
Texas A&M, in College Station, Texas, ties at #7. The program averages about 20 full-time students, with approximately 3-4 new students each fall, and is designed for completion in approximately five years.
Go ifA very small, tight-knit cohort
Skip ifYou want a large cohort
Why #8 over #9: It is listed ahead of Minnesota in the #7 tie.
9
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
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Answrs VerdictA classic I-O department, tied at #7.
U.S. News I-O rank: #7 (tie), 2022 editionLocation: Minneapolis and Saint Paul, MinnesotaCore: A 3-semester I-O seminar completed by the end of the third year
Minnesota, in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, ties at #7. Its signature is a 3-semester I-O seminar completed by the end of the third year.
Go ifA seminar-driven I-O curriculum
Skip ifYou want a program with a published cohort size
Why #9 over #10: It shares #7 and sits ahead of Georgia Tech, which is not in the 2022 list.
10
Georgia Institute of Technology
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Answrs VerdictA former top-ranked program placed last because it is not in the 2022 list.
U.S. News I-O rank: Tied #2 in the 2018 edition; not among the ranked programs in 2022Location: Atlanta, GeorgiaDegree: PhD in Psychology with an Industrial-Organizational areaFunding: Most PhD students are funded with tuition waiver and stipend for 5 years
Georgia Tech, in Atlanta, Georgia, offers a PhD in Psychology with an Industrial-Organizational area. U.S. News ranked it tied #2 in its 2018 edition, and most PhD students are funded for 5 years.
Go ifI-O training in a technology-focused department
Skip ifYou want a school in the current U.S. News top 9
How we ranked these
We ranked the universities in the order of the U.S. News Best Graduate Schools industrial and organizational psychology ranking (2022 edition, nine ranked programs, ties kept in U.S. News order). Georgia Tech, which is not in that list, takes #10 on its earlier 2018 U.S. News placement. Program facts come from each program’s own pages. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best university for industrial-organizational psychology?
Rice University, ranked #1 in the 2022 edition of the U.S. News industrial and organizational psychology ranking, ahead of Michigan State University at #2.
Which I-O psychology programs tie at #3?
Bowling Green State University and the University of South Florida share #3, followed by George Mason University and Penn State at #5.
Do these programs charge tuition for the PhD?
Most of these doctoral programs fund admitted students; for example George Mason offers a full tuition waiver and stipend for the first 4 years and Purdue guarantees funding for five years with strong progress.
Why is Georgia Tech on a list with a 2022 ranking?
U.S. News ranked nine programs in 2022, so Georgia Tech fills the tenth slot as a program U.S. News ranked tied #2 in its 2018 edition.
U.S. News I-O psychology rank, 2022 edition (lower is better) at a glance
Rice University1 rank
Michigan State University2 rank
Bowling Green State University3 rank
University of South Florida3 rank
George Mason University5 rank
Pennsylvania State University5 rank
Purdue University7 rank
Texas A&M University, College Station7 rank
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities7 rank
U.S. News I-O psychology rank, 2022 edition (lower is better), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
