Psychology graduates earn $50,706 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,740 and $67,229. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
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 $50,706 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 1,652 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 144,496 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$31,642
Median Earnings · 4yr
$50,706
Colleges Offering
1,652
Graduates / Year
144,496
Avg Net Price / yr
$13,834
How Much Do Psychology Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Psychology, a typical graduate earns $50,706, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $35,740 and $67,229, 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 $31,642 at one year out to $50,706 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$50,706
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$49,910
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 a moderate amount, 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.
$35,74025th pct.
$50,706Median
$67,22975th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $50,706 and an estimated $55,336 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.7 years.
Based on outcomes from 1,390 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 144,496 students who complete Psychology programs each year, the majority (81%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
81%
Bachelor's81%
Associate's12%
Master's5%
What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Psychology graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Clinical and Counseling Psychologists pay the most at $100,580/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
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.
Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
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 Psychology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Psychology Programs
Psychology is not the only path through Psychology: 3 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
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.
The data on Psychology shows 4 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $31,642 at graduation to $50,706 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +11.7% over the next decade, with Clinical and Counseling Psychologists among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 12,700 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 1,652 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $50,706 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expectedTop 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.
Highly competitive market144,496 students graduate from this program every year, one of the higher volumes nationally. Entry-level competition can be stiff.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($35,740) and 75th ($67,229) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Psychology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Psychology graduates earn?
$50,706 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $35,740 and $67,229, 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?
$31,642 in the first year out. That grows to $50,706 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?
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists are one path, and it pays a median of $100,580 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 of full-time study for a Psychology bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Psychology?
1,652 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?
$50,706 median earnings four years out against $13,834 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.
What is the job outlook for Psychology graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +6.9% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists are among the strongest-growth roles at +11.7%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Psychology Programs
Other programs in Psychology. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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