Psychology at Augusta University

Augusta University's psychology program stands out for keeping debt remarkably low—graduates owe $28,250, placing this in the 12th percentile nationally (meaning 88% of psychology programs burden students with more debt). Combined with earnings that beat the Georgia median by $2,500, this program ranks in the 60th percentile among the state's 41 psychology offerings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.96 means graduates owe less than one year's salary, a manageable starting point even if the $29,375 first-year earnings trail the national median.

The 18% earnings growth to $34,696 by year four is encouraging, bringing graduates close to the national 75th percentile. While this program won't match the outcomes at Brenau or Life University, it significantly outperforms the typical Georgia psychology graduate. For a school serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (38%) with an accessible admission profile, these numbers suggest students are getting solid preparation without excessive debt.

For parents evaluating cost versus outcome, the key advantage here is debt control. Your child won't graduate earning top dollar, but they also won't face the $35,000+ debt loads common at other programs. If graduate school is the plan—as it often is for psychology majors—starting with manageable undergraduate debt makes that path more feasible.