Psychology at College of Charleston

College of Charleston's psychology program shows something unusual: graduates start below the national median but make significant strides, with earnings jumping 48% by year four to $43,319. That's nearly $11,000 above the typical four-year mark for psychology majors nationwide. Among South Carolina psychology programs, this ranks solidly in the 60th percentile—middle of the pack locally but gaining momentum over time.

The debt picture is reasonable at $25,850, nearly identical to both national and state medians. More importantly, that initial earnings dip doesn't last. By year four, the debt-to-earnings ratio becomes quite manageable as graduates move past entry-level positions. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these patterns are reliable, not statistical flukes.

The gap between this program and SC's top performers like Charleston Southern ($35,364) matters less than you might think. Psychology majors often pursue graduate education or take stepping-stone jobs initially—what counts is trajectory. If your student plans to stay in South Carolina and values the Charleston location, this program delivers steady improvement without excessive debt. Just be clear-eyed that the first year or two will likely mean tight budgets while they build experience.