Analysis
Ashford University's psychology program delivers exceptionally strong earnings that rank in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among California programs—impressive performance that places it among the state's top earners alongside much more prestigious institutions. At $38,524 in first-year earnings, graduates earn $8,000 more than the national median and nearly $8,000 above California's median for psychology programs.
However, this strong earning power comes with a significant cost burden. At $43,875 in median debt—more than double both national and state averages—students are paying premium prices for these outcomes. The debt load creates a concerning 1.14 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates carry debt equivalent to 14 months of their first-year salary. Additionally, earnings actually decline by 5% from year one to year four, suggesting the program may not build skills that lead to career advancement.
For psychology majors, this represents a high-cost, high-reward scenario where exceptional immediate earnings help justify the debt burden, but only if students can manage the substantial loan payments. The program works best for families who can afford to minimize borrowing or for students confident about pursuing graduate school where the strong foundational earnings could provide leverage.
Where Ashford University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Ashford University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashford University | $38,524 | $36,510 | -5% |
| Santa Clara University | $38,587 | $58,545 | +52% |
| University of the Pacific | $23,077 | $57,652 | +150% |
| University of Southern California | $34,139 | $55,156 | +62% |
| University of San Diego | $35,595 | $55,078 | +55% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (84 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ashford UniversitySan Diego | $13,160 | $38,524 | $36,510 | $43,875 | 1.14 |
 University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo | $12,520 | $40,726 | $51,379 | $26,703 | 0.66 |
 The Chicago School at Los AngelesLos Angeles | $20,844 | $39,596 | — | $40,645 | 1.03 |
 Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara | $59,241 | $38,587 | $58,545 | $17,667 | 0.46 |
 National UniversitySan Diego | $13,320 | $38,523 | $54,307 | $31,250 | 0.81 |
 California State University-East BayHayward | $7,055 | $37,702 | $53,636 | $15,000 | 0.40 |
| National Median | — | $31,482 | — | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ashford University, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 432 graduates with reported earnings and 736 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.