Psychology at California Baptist University

California Baptist University's psychology program outperforms expectations for a mid-tier private university, though the higher debt load compared to state averages requires careful consideration. At $33,043 starting out, graduates earn above both the national and California medians for psychology majors—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. More importantly, earnings jump 27% to nearly $42,000 by year four, suggesting graduates successfully navigate early-career advancement in fields like social services, HR, or case management.

The debt picture presents the real tradeoff. While $27,000 sits below the national median for psychology programs, it's 26% higher than the typical California psychology graduate carries. Given the relatively modest starting salary, this means leaner first-year budgets compared to students at UC or CSU schools. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 remains manageable—you're looking at monthly payments around $280, which is workable though not comfortable on that initial salary.

For families weighing CBU against public alternatives, understand you're paying a premium (likely through higher tuition) for a private Christian university environment. The outcomes justify attendance over lower-performing programs, but cost-conscious families should compare total four-year costs against nearby CSUs like San Bernardino or Fullerton. If your student values CBU's specific campus culture and can minimize borrowing through scholarships or family contributions, the program delivers solid middle-of-the-pack results for California psychology majors.