Psychology at Drexel University

Drexel's psychology program commands a premium price point—$30,000 in debt versus $27,000 for the typical Pennsylvania psychology program—but the earnings trajectory suggests graduates are getting real value for that investment. First-year graduates earn $39,866, substantially above both the Pennsylvania median of $33,399 and the national median of $31,482. While that places Drexel in the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania psychology programs (trailing schools like Bucknell and Gettysburg), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 means graduates are entering manageable repayment territory from day one.

The standout feature here is consistent earnings growth: graduates see a 30% income bump from year one to year four, reaching $51,752. That trajectory outpaces the vast majority of psychology programs nationally, landing Drexel in the 95th percentile. For context, three-quarters of psychology programs nationally see graduates earning under $35,000, while Drexel grads are approaching $52,000 by year four. This likely reflects Philadelphia's job market advantages and Drexel's co-op program, which gives students real workplace experience before graduation.

The extra $3,000 in debt compared to Pennsylvania's average psychology program translates to about $30 more per month in loan payments—a reasonable premium given the $6,000+ annual earnings advantage over the state median. This program won't compete with Bucknell's outcomes, but it delivers solidly above-average results at a significantly more accessible admission rate.