Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

CUNY John Jay's psychology program stands out for delivering solid outcomes at an exceptionally low cost. With median debt of just $13,421—half the state average and dramatically below the national median of $27,000—graduates enter the workforce with minimal financial burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means students can realistically pay off their loans within a few years of graduation.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. While first-year salaries of $35,656 are modest, they jump to nearly $50,000 by year four—a 40% increase that outpaces many psychology programs. Among New York's psychology programs, John Jay ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, performing better than the state median despite its focus on serving working-class students (59% receive Pell grants).

For families prioritizing affordability without sacrificing career prospects, this program offers compelling value. Yes, top-tier programs like Baruch produce higher earners, but John Jay's combination of reasonable debt and strong earnings growth creates a clear path to financial stability. The robust sample size gives confidence these outcomes are reliable, making this an attractive option for students who want to enter psychology without crushing debt.