Psychology

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$34,050

Median Earnings

$49,965

Schools Offering

1,035

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $45,686Median: $49,96575th: $54,909

Best Schools for Psychology by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Georgetown University DC · Private	93	$99,007	$40,815	$17,500	B+
2	Washington University in St Louis MO · Private	96	$91,787	$21,786	N/A	-
3	Dartmouth College NH · Private	95	$86,896	$29,519	N/A	-
4	Carnegie Mellon University PA · Private	97	$82,433	$31,944	N/A	-
5	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$79,187	$36,586	N/A	-
6	Cornell University NY · Private	96	$78,049	$28,690	$14,157	B
7	Santa Clara University CA · Private	90	$75,742	$50,062	$17,667	C+
8	Virginia Military Institute VA · Public	88	$75,059	$17,113	$19,250	B
9	Lehigh University PA · Private	93	$74,939	$36,931	$21,160	C+
10	Gettysburg College PA · Private	75	$74,466	$31,490	$27,000	C+
11	University of San Diego CA · Private	88	$74,178	$30,365	$24,293	C
12	College of the Holy Cross MA · Private	85	$74,095	$38,782	$27,000	C
13	Villanova University PA · Private	89	$73,684	$43,756	$21,500	C
14	Northwestern University IL · Private	94	$73,646	$29,167	$14,500	B+
15	Lafayette College PA · Private	92	$73,435	$34,433	$16,000	B
16	Clarkson University NY · Private	88	$73,359	$30,305	$25,813	B
17	Duke University NC · Private	96	$73,359	$29,612	$15,415	C+
18	University of Pennsylvania PA · Private	97	$73,012	$28,699	N/A	-
19	Williams College MA · Private	96	$72,891	$17,716	$13,416	B+
20	Misericordia University PA · Private	57	$72,572	$37,485	$25,000	B+
21	Southern Methodist University TX · Private	79	$72,136	$40,892	$23,310	C
22	Vanderbilt University TN · Private	97	$71,584	$15,846	$11,209	B+
23	University of Southern California CA · Private	91	$70,461	$32,740	$14,000	B
24	Fairfield University CT · Private	79	$70,211	$48,095	$26,000	C
25	Saint Mary's College of California CA · Private	81	$70,123	$30,378	$26,998	D
26	Boston College MA · Private	92	$70,033	$41,704	$18,000	B
27	Elon University NC · Private	75	$69,856	$41,555	$23,250	C
28	University of Notre Dame IN · Private	97	$69,793	$26,780	$19,015	B+
29	Trinity College CT · Private	87	$69,730	$34,832	$22,944	C+
30	Binghamton University NY · Public	89	$67,249	$21,620	$20,500	C
31	National University CA · Private	64	$66,849	$22,878	$31,250	D
32	Bucknell University PA · Private	87	$66,206	$40,766	$27,000	C+
33	Saint Francis University PA · Private	70	$66,010	$23,526	$27,000	B
34	Drew University NJ · Private	63	$65,997	$24,280	$26,059	B
35	Bates College ME · Private	82	$65,926	$29,351	N/A	-
36	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$65,694	$38,793	$26,865	D
37	Texas Christian University TX · Private	71	$65,356	$36,660	$23,412	C
38	Hood College MD · Private	54	$65,110	$20,873	$22,000	D
39	Baylor University TX · Private	63	$65,090	$41,104	$25,212	D
40	University of San Francisco CA · Private	80	$65,071	$41,431	$24,315	C
41	Wake Forest University NC · Private	88	$64,814	$28,719	$21,500	C
42	Manhattan University NY · Private	84	$64,684	$27,256	$26,000	F
43	University of Richmond VA · Private	81	$64,584	$31,309	$25,500	D
44	Bradley University IL · Private	75	$64,378	$22,719	$27,000	D
45	Azusa Pacific University CA · Private	71	$63,963	$22,212	$23,406	D
46	Stonehill College MA · Private	80	$63,957	$33,016	$25,000	C
47	Manhattanville University NY · Private	59	$63,908	$20,991	$25,000	F
48	Boston University MA · Private	90	$63,838	$24,402	$26,000	C
49	Providence College RI · Private	76	$63,746	$48,523	$27,000	D
50	Chapman University CA · Private	64	$63,617	$46,555	$21,500	D

Below Average Value

Is Psychology Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Psychology are below average. At $34,050 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

With 1035 schools offering this major, you have significant choice. That's good news - it means you can shop for the best ROI within the field rather than settling for whatever program accepts you.

The top school for this major by earnings is Washington University in St Louis, where graduates earn $91,787 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Psychology All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Related Majors

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Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.