Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at Champlain College

Champlain's psychology program posts first-year earnings nearly $5,000 above the national median for this degree, landing in the 71st percentile nationally—a solid start for a field where many graduates struggle to break into the workforce. With Vermont having only four schools offering this program, your comparison points are limited, but Champlain graduates match the state median while carrying typical debt for the area.

The manageable debt load of $23,269 paired with that 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically handle their payments, even in psychology's typically modest salary range. The 13% earnings growth to year four ($44,447) suggests graduates are finding their footing professionally, though these remain entry-level salaries that won't support luxury living in Burlington. Psychology bachelor's degrees rarely lead to high-paying work without graduate school, but Champlain's track record shows students can at least launch careers rather than languish in retail.

The crucial caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so one unusually successful cohort could skew the picture. Still, for parents accepting that a psychology BA is more about building toward graduate school or breaking into human services work, Champlain delivers better outcomes than most programs nationally. Just ensure your child understands they're likely headed for a modest lifestyle or further education, not a lucrative career straight out of college.