Psychology

What graduates really earn, where the degree pays off most, and whether the numbers add up for you.

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

Be honest with yourself about the money on Psychology. At an average $34,050 four years out, the payback can be long, especially at a pricey school. That doesn't make the field a mistake - it means the cost side has to be managed tightly, so lean toward low debt.

With 1035 schools offering it, you've got room to be choosy - shop for the best ROI in the field instead of settling for wherever takes you.

The top earner here is Washington University in St Louis, where graduates pull $91,787 four years out. But an average hides a wide spread - where you go, 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.