Psychology at Central State University

Central State's psychology program shows troubling first-year outcomes that demand scrutiny, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers may not tell the full story. The $18,266 median starting salary ranks in just the 10th percentile among Ohio psychology programs—less than half what graduates earn at Ohio State or Miami University. Combined with $31,485 in debt (above both state and national medians), new graduates face the very real challenge of managing loan payments that exceed their entire first-year salary.

The dramatic earnings jump to $35,404 by year four offers some optimism, suggesting graduates either need time to find stable employment or pursue additional credentials. However, even this improved figure barely surpasses the state median, and the debt burden remains substantial. For context, Ohio has 74 psychology programs, and this one ranks near the bottom for initial outcomes.

The math is stark: with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.72 in year one, graduates would struggle to afford standard loan payments while covering basic living expenses. If your student is set on psychology and Central State specifically, understand they'll likely need family financial support early in their career or should plan for graduate school where better earning potential exists. The small sample makes definitive judgments difficult, but these are warning signs worth investigating further with the school's career services office before committing.