Psychology at Emporia State University

Emporia State's psychology graduates earn well above the national median ($35,389 vs. $31,482), but fall slightly below what other Kansas schools deliver—sitting in the 40th percentile statewide. With Kansas schools generally paying psychology graduates more than the national average, this middle-of-the-pack state ranking means the program still outperforms most psychology programs nationwide, just not the strongest in-state options like Fort Hays State ($40,009) or Washburn ($38,264).

The debt picture offers a clear advantage: $19,500 is substantially lower than both the state median ($27,281) and national benchmark ($25,500), creating a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio. The earnings trajectory looks solid too, with 22% growth to $43,053 by year four. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with different cohorts—this isn't necessarily the experience every graduate will have.

For Kansas families, Emporia State provides an affordable path to a psychology degree with below-average debt and above-average national outcomes, though students serious about maximizing earnings in-state might compare offers from the higher-paying Kansas programs first. The near-open admission (98% acceptance rate) makes this accessible for students who may not qualify for more selective options.