Psychology Degree | Salary, Jobs & Top Colleges

About Psychology

This page covers Psychology as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Psychology and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Psychology is a specialized field of study. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $50,748 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 114 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,887 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $36,890
Median Earnings · 4yr: $50,748
Colleges Offering: 114
Graduates / Year: 2,887
Avg Net Price / yr: $20,660

How Much Do Psychology Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Psychology, a typical graduate earns $50,748, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $28,947 and $70,116, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $36,890 at one year out to $50,748 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$36,890

1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$50,748

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$50,430

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

Not every Psychology graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.

$28,947 25th pct.

$50,748 Median

$70,116 75th pct.

A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $50,748 and an estimated $82,640 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 4.0 years.

Based on outcomes from 58 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 2,887 students who complete Psychology programs each year, the majority (72%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Master's 72%

Bachelor's 14%

Post-Bacc Cert. 6%

What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Psychology graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Psychology Teachers pay the most at $80,340/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Psychology Teachers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +4.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Psychology Teachers

$80,340

$63K $106K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 3,700 openings/yr 42K employed nationally

Learning Strategies Speaking Reading Comprehension Instructing Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, and work motivation.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.

Top Colleges for Psychology

Not sure where to study Psychology? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Grand Canyon University, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ · Nonprofit	867	78.9%	$22,472	$42,186
2	Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA · Nonprofit	166	88.4%	$22,212	$66,677
3	Russell Sage College Troy, NY · Nonprofit	118	53.3%	$22,917	$58,316
4	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public	111	26.7%	$12,470	$84,943
5	Marist University Poughkeepsie, NY · Nonprofit	59	56.5%	$41,544	$77,819
6	University of Denver Denver, CO · Nonprofit	53	77.8%	$36,131	$71,155
7	University of Puerto Rico at Ponce Ponce, PR · Public	44	52.5%	$10,990	$31,394
8	Tiffin University Tiffin, OH · Nonprofit	41	80.1%	$26,500	$35,942
9	University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Cayey, PR · Public	36	53%	$10,176	$30,958
10	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus University Park, PA · Public	31	91.2%	$19,550	$63,435
11	East Central University Ada, OK · Public	27	58.2%	$8,683	$44,962
12	Hood College Frederick, MD · Nonprofit	27	77.8%	$20,873	$57,089
13	Montreat College Montreat, NC · Nonprofit	27	69.2%	$27,061	$45,151
14	University of Holy Cross New Orleans, LA · Nonprofit	25	73.7%	$15,635	$49,316
15	Seminole State College Seminole, OK · Public	24	Open	$14,628	$35,390
16	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA · Public	23	33%	$16,109	$74,915
17	Concordia University Texas Austin, TX · Nonprofit	21	91.3%	$23,131	$60,883
18	Los Angeles Harbor College Wilmington, CA · Public	20	Open	$13,250	$41,133
19	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public	17	84.8%	$19,680	$67,253
20	Naropa University Boulder, CO · Nonprofit	17	100%	$29,179	$28,720

View all colleges

Ranked by Psychology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools 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 shows 1 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $36,890 at graduation to $50,748 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $50,748 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($28,947) and 75th ($70,116) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Psychology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Psychology graduates earn?

$50,748 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $28,947 and $70,116, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for a Psychology degree?

$36,890 in the first year out. That grows to $50,748 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.

What jobs can you get with a Psychology degree?

Psychology Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $80,340 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does a Psychology program take?

Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many Psychology students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.

How many colleges offer Psychology?

114 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

Is a Psychology degree worth it?

$50,748 median earnings four years out against $20,660 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.

What skills do employers look for in Psychology graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Psychology graduates consistently look for research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.