Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at Clarks Summit University

Clarks Summit's psychology bachelor's puts graduates at the Pennsylvania median with $31,000 in first-year earnings, though that trails the national median by about $3,500. While the program ranks 60th percentile within Pennsylvania, it's worth noting that PA's psychology programs generally underperform the national market—even the state's median matches Clarks Summit's figure. The manageable debt load of $24,520 creates a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79, meaning graduates owe less than a year's salary.

The real question here is whether a psychology bachelor's alone will generate adequate return, regardless of the school. At Clarks Summit, nearly half of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are stretching financially to attend. These graduates will be earning roughly $15 per hour in their first year—workable for someone living at home or in a low-cost area, but tight for independent living. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures.

For families committed to Clarks Summit for other reasons—perhaps its Christian focus or campus community—this program won't saddle students with crushing debt. But if pure earnings potential matters most, understand that psychology bachelor's programs rarely lead to high-paying jobs without graduate school. The modest earnings here reflect the field's reality more than the institution's shortcomings.