Psychology at Amarillo College

Amarillo College's psychology associate program sits squarely in the middle of Texas offerings—just below the state median of $25,656—but carries notably higher debt than most comparable programs. At $18,503, graduates owe about $5,000 more than the typical Texas psychology associate recipient, even though their first-year earnings of $25,076 fall slightly below average. That debt load ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs burden students with less debt.

The modest 6% earnings growth to $26,513 by year four suggests this degree functions more as a stepping stone than a standalone credential. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, the relatively high debt could pose real challenges for lower-income families. Programs like Austin Community College achieve $30,000 earnings with presumably lower debt burdens, demonstrating that better outcomes exist within Texas.

One important caveat: these figures come from a small graduating class, so your child's experience could vary considerably. If this associate degree is truly a transfer pathway to a bachelor's program, the immediate earnings matter less than completion rates and transfer success—data you'll need to request directly from the college. As a terminal degree for immediate employment, the debt-to-earnings math looks shaky compared to alternatives across Texas.