Psychology at Dillard University

Dillard's psychology program starts above both national and Louisiana medians, placing graduates around the 60th percentile in the state—decent positioning for a program serving predominantly low-income students. First-year earnings of $33,143 compare favorably to Louisiana's typical $27,926, though they trail top state performers like Northwestern State ($32,765) by a narrow margin. However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year-to-year.

The concerning pattern is what happens after that first year: earnings drop 10% to $29,752 by year four, while graduates carry $35,000 in debt—substantially higher than both state ($26,250) and national ($25,500) benchmarks. That debt load, combined with declining earnings, creates a tougher financial picture than the strong starting salary might suggest. For a school where 68% of students receive Pell grants, these debt levels warrant serious consideration.

If your child is committed to psychology and values Dillard's mission and community, the initial earnings provide a viable starting point. But plan for a longer debt repayment timeline than the numbers might initially suggest, and recognize that psychology careers often require graduate education for meaningful salary growth. Given the small sample, request current placement data directly from the school before making your decision.