Psychology at California State University-Los Angeles

Cal State LA's psychology bachelor's produces surprisingly strong earnings—$37,567 puts graduates in the 94th percentile nationally, well above the $31,482 typical for this degree. However, the state context tells a more nuanced story: among California's 84 psychology programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile. That's solid but not exceptional for California students who have access to several programs with similar or better outcomes at comparable debt levels.

The debt picture is reasonable at $25,000, translating to a manageable 0.67 ratio to first-year earnings. For a program serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (66%), this represents accessible four-year degree access without crushing debt. The challenge with psychology degrees generally remains: even these above-average earnings require careful career planning since many psychology-related careers require graduate education for significant salary growth.

One important caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so they may not reflect typical outcomes. For families prioritizing affordability and access in Southern California, this program offers decent value—just recognize you're paying for proximity and CSU system benefits rather than standout earnings potential relative to other California options.