Top Psychology Courses and Colleges in Chennai 2026: Fees
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Psychology courses in Chennai are available at UG, PG, diploma, and certificate levels, with total fees ranging from INR 1,170 in government-aided institutes like JBAS College to INR 1,98,000 in private universities like Sathyabama Institute. Top colleges include Presidency College, Stella Maris College, Ethiraj College for Women, WCC, and Madras School of Social Work.
Below, you will find detailed breakdowns of fees, government and private college options, course specializations, part-time options, selection steps, and career prospects in Chennai.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| UG Course Options | BSc Psychology |
| PG Course Options | MSc Psychology, MSc Applied Psychology, MSc Counselling Psychology, MSc Clinical Psychology |
| Govt/Aided Fee Range | INR 1,170 to INR 3,700 |
| Private/Self-Financed Fee Range | INR 27,000 to INR 1,98,000 |
| Top Clinical Recruiters | Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Hospital, Energia Wellbeing |
Top Psychology Colleges
Chennai is a major academic hub in South India, offering diverse undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programs. At least 135 colleges in Tamil Nadu offer psychology courses, with leading institutions concentrated in Chennai. These colleges range from top-ranked government-aided autonomous institutions to large private universities.
| College Name | Courses Offered | Total Fees Range |
|---|---|---|
| Presidency College | BSc Psychology, MSc Psychology | INR 1,850 – INR 3,700 |
| Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women | BSc Psychology, MSc Applied Psychology | INR 1,170 – INR 2,055 |
| Stella Maris College | BSc Psychology, MSc Psychology | INR 54,580 – INR 68,685 |
| Ethiraj College for Women | BSc Psychology, MSc Applied Psychology | INR 30,132 – INR 40,000 |
| Women’s Christian College (WCC) | BSc Psychology, MSc Applied Psychology | INR 18,340 – INR 70,799 |
| Madras School of Social Work | BSc Psychology, MSc Counselling Psychology | INR 56,500 – INR 76,650 |
| Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute | BSc Psychology, MSc Clinical Psychology | INR 1,65,000 – INR 1,80,000 |
| Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | BSc Psychology | INR 1,98,000 |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Degree College Pulwama | Pulwama | Government | ₹5,070 |
| Gokhale Memorial Girls’ College | Kolkata | Government | ₹5,130 |
| Vijaya Raje Government Girls PG College | Gwalior | Government | ₹5,180 |
| Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College Ranchi | Ranchi | Government | ₹5,215 |
| Ram Krishna Dwarika College | Patna | Government | ₹5,262 |
| Government Degree College Baramulla | Baramulla | Government | ₹5,288 |
| Sardar Bhagat Singh Government Post Graduate College | Rudra pur | Government | ₹5,469 |
| Panchayat College Bargarh | Bhubaneswar | Government | ₹5,660 |
| Government DB Girl’s Post Graduate College | Raipur | Government | ₹5,695 |
| Government Maharani Laxmi Bai Girls PG College | Indore | Government | ₹5,880 |
Postgraduate MSc Psychology Courses and Specializations
| College Name | PG Course & Specialization | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Presidency College | MSc Psychology | INR 1,850 |
| Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women | MSc Applied Psychology | INR 2,055 |
| Ethiraj College for Women | MSc Applied Psychology | INR 40,000 |
| SDNB Vaishnav College for Women | MSc Counselling Psychology | INR 41,500 |
| Stella Maris College | MSc Psychology | INR 54,580 |
| Women’s Christian College | MSc Applied Psychology (OB / Counselling) | INR 70,799 |
| St. Thomas College of Arts and Science | MSc Psychology (Integrated) | INR 76,000 |
| Madras School of Social Work | MSc Counselling Psychology | INR 76,650 |
| Loyola College | MSc Counselling Psychology | INR 82,000 |
| Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute | MSc Clinical Psychology | INR 1,80,000 |
Presidency College offers MSc Psychology at INR 1,850, while Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women offers MSc Applied Psychology at INR 2,055. Loyola College offers MSc Counselling Psychology at INR 82,000, and Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute charges INR 1,80,000.
Part-Time and PG Diploma Courses in Psychology
Distance options include 3g School of Applied Psychology, which provides a 2-year part-time MA Psychology for INR 36,000. Short-term diploma programs in counseling and psychotherapy range from 30 weekdays to 12 months in duration.
| Institute / College | Course Name | Duration & Mode | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emocare | International Diploma in Dynamic Practical Counselling & Psychotherapy | 6 Months (Online/Offline) | INR 14,999 |
| Chennai Counselling Services & CCS Academy | PG Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy | 30 Weekdays (2.5 hrs/day) | INR 18,000 |
| National Institute of Psychology and Research | Diploma in Counselling Psychology | 12 Months (Offline) | INR 24,000 |
| 3g School of Applied Psychology | Part-Time MA Psychology | 2 Years (Distance) | INR 36,000 |
| ISCHS | Advance Diploma in Counselling Skills (ADCS) | 12 Months (Online/Offline) | INR 44,280 + 18% GST |
Psychologist Salaries and Career Prospects
Across 79 colleges evaluated nationally, the median average placement package stands at 2.7 LPA. In Chennai, starting packages for junior psychologists range between INR 2.5 LPA and INR 4 LPA. Clinical Psychologists employed in healthcare institutions like Apollo Hospitals earn between INR 3.6 LPA and INR 8 LPA. Key employers in Chennai include private hospitals, mental health clinics, educational institutes, rehabilitation centers, and corporate HR departments.
How to Choose a Psychology College
- BSc Psychology: Ideal for students aiming for science-related fields such as medicine and neuroscience.
- BA Psychology: Best for students planning careers in sales, marketing, law, or politics.
- Fee Range: Fees for BSc Psychology range from INR 2,500 to INR 2,00,000 based on government aid, with Presidency College charging INR 3,700 and Sathyabama Institute charging INR 1,98,000.
Nationally, government colleges have a median fee of ₹14,441, whereas private colleges have a median fee of ₹75,375. Evaluating career alignment alongside fee variations ensures an informed choice.
How to Apply for Psychology Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Select specializations: Choose an academic track such as Applied Psychology (with specializations in organizational behavior or counseling & psychotherapy), Counselling Psychology, or Clinical Psychology.
- Compare government-aided vs self-financed options: Evaluate options ranging from low-fee programs like Presidency College (INR 3,700) to private institutes like Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (INR 1,98,000).
- Choose course type: Decide between 3-year undergraduate BSc programs, 2-year MSc degrees, or diploma courses offered by institutes like ISCHS and CCS Academy.
- Align with career goals: Opt for BSc Psychology for science-related fields like medicine and neuroscience, or BA Psychology for careers in sales, marketing, law, or politics.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Psychology colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
BSc Psychology fee ranges from INR 2,500 to INR 2,00,000 depending on government aid. Students can pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or certification courses in psychology based on their career objectives.
FAQs
Which is better: BSc or BA psychology?
BSc Psychology is ideal for science-related fields like medicine and neuroscience, while BA Psychology suits careers in sales, marketing, law, or politics.
Which colleges in Chennai offer an MSc in counseling psychology?
Madras School of Social Work offers MSc Counselling Psychology for INR 76,650, Loyola College offers it for INR 82,000, and SDNB Vaishnav College for Women offers it for INR 41,500. Women’s Christian College also offers MSc Applied Psychology with a counseling track.
What are the available psychotherapy courses in India?
In Chennai, Chennai Counselling Services and CCS Academy offers a PG Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy for INR 18,000. Emocare offers an International Diploma in Dynamic Practical Counselling & Psychotherapy for INR 14,999, while Women’s Christian College offers specialized postgraduate programs.
Which college is best for BSc. psychology?
Top colleges for BSc Psychology in Chennai include Presidency College, Stella Maris College, Ethiraj College for Women, Women’s Christian College, Madras School of Social Work, and DG Vaishnav College.
What are Clinical Psychology course fees in Chennai?
Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute offers an MSc in Clinical Psychology at a total fee of INR 1,80,000. Clinical Psychologist roles at Apollo Hospitals pay between INR 3.6 LPA and INR 8 LPA.
Are there part-time psychology courses in Chennai?
3g School of Applied Psychology offers a 2-year distance part-time MA Psychology for INR 36,000. Additionally, institutes like ISCHS, Emocare, and CCS Academy offer online and offline diploma and certificate courses.
