Which is better for studying psychology as an undergraduate, Tulane or Penn State?

For an undergraduate focused primarily on psychology research and joining faculty labs, Penn State has the deeper and broader set of opportunities. Its Department of Psychology at University Park is large, with active research across clinical, cognitive, developmental, social, neuroscience, and industrial-organizational psychology. That scale means more labs, research topics, and potential faculty matches than Tulane is likely to offer.

Penn State undergraduates can seek research assistant positions directly with psychology faculty, often beginning with tasks such as participant recruitment, coding data, or running studies and progressing to independent projects. The university’s substantial research infrastructure is especially useful if you are considering graduate school, since sustained lab work, methods training, and strong faculty recommendations matter more than simply taking psychology courses.

Tulane can offer a more intimate undergraduate experience. Its smaller psychology department may make it easier to get to know professors in classes and office hours, and its location creates distinctive possibilities in community-based work related to public health, trauma, culture, and health disparities.

The main tradeoff is breadth versus intimacy. At Penn State, you would need to be deliberate about reaching out to labs early because many students are competing for positions, but the number of potential mentors and specialized research areas is a real advantage. Tulane is compelling if close professor relationships and New Orleans-based community research are central to your interests; for the widest psychology research menu, Penn State stands out.