Psychology at Ave Maria University

Ave Maria's psychology program carries relatively light debt—$18,500 versus a $24,562 state median—but earnings tell a more complicated story. At $30,640 in the first year, graduates earn just above the state median and land in the 60th percentile among Florida's 44 psychology programs. However, they trail the national average and sit well below top performers like Trinity International ($40K) or Saint Leo ($36K). The 26% earnings growth to year four brings graduates to $38,617, which is solid progression but doesn't fully close the gap with stronger programs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 is actually quite manageable for a psychology degree, where many graduates carry significantly heavier burdens. The tradeoff here is straightforward: lower debt but also lower initial earning power. For a family prioritizing affordability and planning for graduate school (where many psychology majors eventually land), that lighter debt load has real value.

Important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. The numbers suggest a decent value proposition for Florida families—particularly those avoiding massive debt—but this isn't a top-tier earning program. If your student is serious about maximizing early career income with just a bachelor's degree, the higher-earning Florida options deserve a close look.