SOCIAL STUDIES
+0.4%Education
Teaching, curriculum design, and school leadership degrees that lead directly to K-12 classrooms, special education, and administration careers in schools.
Psychology
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Psychology
One of the most popular majors — and most misunderstood. Clinical practice requires grad school; research, HR, and consulting roles typically don't. Graduates earn a national median of $50,706 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,818 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 208,888 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $32,022
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $50,706
- Colleges Offering
- 1,818
- Graduates / Year
- 208,888
- Specializations
- 4
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $19,413
Is a Psychology Degree Right for You?
$50,706
Median earnings · 4yr
+5.0%
10yr job growth
4
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~3.8
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $50,706 after 4 years. Against an estimated $77,652 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.8 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Psychology Majors Earn?
Psychology graduates start at a median $32,022 one year out and reach $50,706 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,818 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$32,022
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$50,706
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$50,319
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Psychology specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $55,695/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $50,523/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$50,523
Lowest
$50,706
Median
$55,695
Highest
What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree?
Career Paths for Psychology Graduates
Psychology connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Human Resources Manager leads in median earnings at $149,280/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Human Resources Manager
Bachelor's degree
$149,280
↗ +5.0% growth
Training and Development Managers
Bachelor's degree
$133,000
↗ +5.8% growth
Health Specialties Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$107,310
↗ +17.3% growth
Statisticians
Master's degree
$105,650
↗ +8.5% growth
Medical Scientists
Doctoral or professional degree
$103,410
↗ +8.7% growth
Management Analyst
Bachelor's degree
$101,860
↗ +8.8% growth
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Doctoral or professional degree
$100,580
↗ +11.2% growth
School Psychologist
Master's degree
$95,990
↗ +0.7% growth
Psychology Specializations
Psychology spans 4 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $50,523 to $55,695 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Psychology
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Psychology graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99.5%
Net price/yr
$36,708
Earnings 10yr
$50,318
Grad rate
30%
2
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99%
Net price/yr
$29,357
Earnings 10yr
$44,813
Grad rate
34%
3
Florida International University
Miami, FL · Public
Acceptance
54.7%
Net price/yr
$9,288
Earnings 10yr
$60,249
Grad rate
54%
4
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · Public
Acceptance
40.1%
Net price/yr
$10,411
Earnings 10yr
$58,308
Grad rate
55%
5
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
57.7%
Net price/yr
$35,639
Earnings 10yr
$43,137
Grad rate
22%
6
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · Public
Acceptance
28.6%
Net price/yr
$14,251
Earnings 10yr
$80,735
Grad rate
75%
7
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance
9%
Net price/yr
$12,548
Earnings 10yr
$82,511
Grad rate
82%
8
New York University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.2%
Net price/yr
$37,050
Earnings 10yr
$82,509
Grad rate
76%
9
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
62.9%
Net price/yr
$58,098
Earnings 10yr
$82,939
Grad rate
83%
10
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ · Public
Acceptance
89.9%
Net price/yr
$14,967
Earnings 10yr
$62,668
Grad rate
59%
11
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
Acceptance
90.5%
Net price/yr
$6,555
Earnings 10yr
$62,951
Grad rate
73%
12
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public
Acceptance
93.5%
Net price/yr
$7,021
Earnings 10yr
$59,115
Grad rate
64%
13
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL · Public
Acceptance
43.2%
Net price/yr
$9,812
Earnings 10yr
$57,743
Grad rate
68%
14
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ · Nonprofit
Acceptance
78.9%
Net price/yr
$22,472
Earnings 10yr
$42,186
Grad rate
42%
15
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
Acceptance
41.8%
Net price/yr
$14,741
Earnings 10yr
$80,838
Grad rate
81%
16
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL · Public
Acceptance
24.2%
Net price/yr
$11,297
Earnings 10yr
$61,675
Grad rate
78%
17
University of North Texas
Denton, TX · Public
Acceptance
72.2%
Net price/yr
$15,649
Earnings 10yr
$57,010
Grad rate
57%
18
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Acceptance
15.6%
Net price/yr
$13,138
Earnings 10yr
$83,648
Grad rate
90%
19
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
Acceptance
26.7%
Net price/yr
$12,470
Earnings 10yr
$84,943
Grad rate
86%
20
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN · Public
Acceptance
79.8%
Net price/yr
$16,778
Earnings 10yr
$69,020
Grad rate
75%
Ranked by number of Psychology graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Psychology Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Psychology degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Psychology degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Psychology Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Psychology tells a mixed story. Measurable strengths offset by real trade-offs. All 5 points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts. No editorial opinion applied.
PROS
- Growing field Top career paths show up to +17.3% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Health Specialties Teachers.
- Wide availability Offered at 1,818 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $32,022 at graduation to $50,706 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Modest median earnings Four-year median of $50,706 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
- Highly competitive job market Approximately 208,888 students graduate in this field each year, one of the highest volumes among all majors.
Psychology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Psychology graduates earn?
Psychology graduates earn a national median of $50,706 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Psychology degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Psychology degree holders is $32,022 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Psychology degree?
Psychology degree holders work in a range of careers. Human Resources Manager is one of the top roles by median wage ($149,280/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Psychology?
1,818 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Psychology, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Psychology degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $50,706 and an average net price of roughly $19,413/yr across institutions offering this major, a Psychology degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Psychology degree?
A bachelor's degree in Psychology typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Psychology graduates?
Employers hiring Psychology graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, data analysis, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Employers in government, nonprofit, and research roles look for experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, and statistical analysis.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Psychology graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Psychology graduates is strong, with an average of +8.3% projected growth across related occupations. Health Specialties Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +17.3%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
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- Program earnings
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-
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Careers
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