Research and Experimental Psychology at California State University-San Bernardino

The first year after graduation looks rough—$26,697 ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally—but by year four, graduates nearly double their earnings to $45,508, leapfrogging both California and national medians by substantial margins. This dramatic 71% earnings growth suggests the degree provides foundational skills that take time to monetize, possibly through graduate school or specialized roles in research settings. At $16,750 in debt (below both state and national averages), the financial risk is manageable even during those lean early years.

Here's the catch: among California's 21 programs, this ranks middle-of-the-pack at the 40th percentile, and the school serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (57%), which may partly explain the initially low earnings as graduates balance financial obligations with career development. The four-year earnings ultimately exceed UC Berkeley's first-year figures, indicating this path can work for students willing to weather the slow start.

If your child plans to pursue graduate education or can financially sustain a low starting salary (perhaps while living at home), the math works—modest debt paired with strong eventual earnings. But if they need immediate post-graduation income to service loans or support themselves, that first year could be challenging. The key variable is whether they're committed to the field long enough to reach that year-four payoff.