Psychology at Chowan University

Chowan's psychology program graduates earn $30,076 in their first year—trailing the national median by about $1,400, but actually beating most North Carolina programs at the 60th percentile statewide. This matters because parents often focus on national rankings while overlooking that this program outperforms 60% of psychology programs across NC, including some at better-known institutions. The $31,000 in median debt is notably lower than what students typically carry at top-earning NC schools like Elon or Wake Forest, where debt loads can easily exceed $40,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.03 is manageable—graduates can expect to pay off roughly one year's salary in loans, which is reasonable for a bachelor's degree. However, psychology typically requires graduate education for higher-paying career paths, so that first-year earning figure may understate long-term value if graduates pursue advanced degrees. With 61% of students receiving Pell grants, Chowan serves a population for whom minimizing debt while staying in-state makes practical sense.

For families committed to North Carolina and looking at psychology programs, Chowan delivers middle-of-the-pack earnings with below-average debt. It's not competing with Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill in outcomes, but it's also costing students less upfront—a trade-off worth considering if your child plans to work immediately after graduation or needs to limit undergraduate borrowing before graduate school.