Research and Experimental Psychology at Creighton University

A $26,845 starting salary against $25,292 in debt creates immediate financial pressure for Creighton psychology graduates. While this program sits at the 60th percentile among Nebraska's limited psychology offerings, that state comparison is misleading—there are only two programs tracked statewide. The more telling benchmark is national: Creighton ranks in just the 5th percentile for earnings compared to 206 Research and Experimental Psychology programs nationwide, meaning 95% of similar programs produce higher-earning graduates.

The nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates will struggle to manage loan payments on entry-level salaries. National earnings for this degree typically reach $34,768—about $8,000 more than what Creighton graduates report earning. Even reaching the national 75th percentile ($39,392) would still represent modest compensation for a bachelor's degree from a private university where just 5% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting most families are paying significant out-of-pocket costs.

If your child is set on psychology at Creighton, understand they're likely pursuing this as a stepping stone to graduate school, not as a terminal degree leading to immediate career earnings. The debt load is manageable compared to many private schools, but the return simply isn't there for a standalone bachelor's. Public universities offering this major typically deliver similar outcomes at half the cost.