Psychology at Dickinson College

Dickinson's psychology program punches well above its weight nationally—graduates earn $37,227 in their first year, placing them in the 91st percentile nationwide, while carrying just $19,000 in debt compared to the national median of $25,500. That's an unusually favorable financial start for a liberal arts psychology degree.

The real story emerges in year four, when earnings jump 68% to nearly $63,000. This trajectory suggests Dickinson graduates are securing career-track positions that value their broader liberal arts training, not just entry-level social services roles. Within Pennsylvania, the program ranks solidly in the 60th percentile—respectable but not elite like Bucknell or Gettysburg, whose graduates start $14,000 higher. However, Dickinson's lower debt load (about $8,000 less than the state median) partially offsets this earnings gap, and the strong earnings growth indicates graduates are catching up quickly.

For parents worried about the stereotypical "psychology major working retail" outcome, Dickinson appears to defy that pattern. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 means your child would owe roughly half their first year's salary—manageable by any standard. If your student is genuinely passionate about psychology and considering graduate school down the line, this combination of lower debt and solid career momentum makes it a practical choice within the liberal arts space.