Psychology at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State's psychology program ranks in the 91st percentile nationally for graduate earnings, placing it among the top-performing psych programs in the country. That's impressive context for a degree that often struggles with early-career pay—the national median is just $31,482, and CSU graduates beat that by nearly $6,000. However, within Colorado, the picture shifts: this program sits at the 60th percentile statewide, trailing Adams State and Metro State Denver by about $500-700 in first-year earnings.

The debt burden here is manageable relative to income, with a 0.62 ratio meaning graduates earn back their debt in roughly 7-8 months. At $23,147, debt comes in below both state and national medians. The 20% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests reasonable career progression, with graduates reaching nearly $45,000 by their fourth year—solid ground for entry into graduate programs or career advancement.

For an anxious parent, this is a reasonable choice if your child is committed to psychology and plans to stay in Colorado. The program won't deliver standout earnings compared to other in-state options, but it performs well above the national baseline for this degree. Just remember that psychology typically requires graduate education for higher-paying roles, so factor that into your long-term financial planning. The low debt here at least keeps that pathway more accessible than at many peer institutions.