Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at Belhaven University

Belhaven's psychology program graduates carry debt loads that vastly exceed their earning power. With median debt of $41,825 against first-year earnings of just $28,316, graduates face a debt burden 1.5 times their annual income—one of the highest ratios among psychology programs nationwide (9th percentile). That's $14,000 more debt than the national median for this degree, creating monthly loan payments that will strain a $28,000 salary.

The earnings picture offers little relief. While Belhaven graduates slightly outperform the state median (ranking 60th percentile among Mississippi's two programs), they earn $6,200 less than the national median for psychology bachelor's degrees. For context, Mississippi State's comparable program produces similar earnings at $27,841, but with significantly less debt burden. The $41,825 in loans at Belhaven means graduates are borrowing roughly $10,500 more per year than needed at other in-state options.

For families considering this program, the math is straightforward: your child will likely spend years managing debt payments that consume a substantial portion of their entry-level salary. Unless graduate school is part of the plan—which would add more debt—or family resources can substantially reduce borrowing, this investment presents serious financial risk. The 45% Pell Grant population suggests many students here can't afford that additional burden.