Psychology at Empire State University

Empire State University's psychology program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings—a genuinely impressive statistic that demands immediate context. While $39,188 beats the typical psychology graduate by nearly $8,000, this program sits squarely in the middle of New York's competitive psychology landscape, at the 60th percentile statewide. That gap matters because you're paying New York prices ($29,050 in debt, about 16% above the state median) for solidly average New York outcomes.

The practical math works better than most psychology programs: a 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child could reasonably pay off loans within four years of focused repayment. With 35% of students on Pell grants, the program serves working-class families who see modest but steady income growth. The $800 earnings bump over four years won't change anyone's life, but psychology rarely delivers dramatic salary jumps early in careers anyway.

If your child is committed to psychology and likely staying in New York, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt while delivering above-average national outcomes. Just understand that several CUNY schools and Excelsior University deliver similar or better earnings with comparable debt loads—worth exploring for in-state students watching every dollar.