Psychology at Delaware County Community College

At first glance, this program's numbers look alarming—graduates earn just $17,269 in their first year, ranking in the bottom 10th percentile among Pennsylvania psychology associate programs. That initial figure is roughly $11,000 below Pennsylvania's median for this degree and less than two-thirds the national benchmark. The debt load of $17,500, while below the national median, creates a concerning first-year debt-to-earnings ratio that exceeds 1:1. Nearby Bucks County Community College's program produces nearly double the first-year earnings.

However, there's a critical caveat here: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making it statistically shaky. Small samples can swing wildly based on individual circumstances—a few graduates taking gap years or pursuing additional education could dramatically skew the numbers downward. The 115% earnings jump from year one to year four suggests graduates do find their footing eventually, reaching $37,164 by their fourth year out. That's still below state and national norms, but the trajectory at least points in the right direction.

For parents considering this program, the small sample size makes it impossible to draw firm conclusions. If your child is interested in psychology, exploring the stronger-performing community college programs at Bucks County or Philadelphia might offer more predictable outcomes. At minimum, understand that an associate's in psychology typically serves as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree rather than a terminal credential.