Psychology at Fordham University

The $28,256 starting salary tells only part of the story here—Fordham psychology graduates more than double their earnings within four years, jumping to $58,590. That 107% growth rate is exceptional and suggests graduates are either securing professional positions that take time to land or pursuing graduate training that pays off quickly. While the first-year number sits below both national and state medians (24th percentile nationally, 40th in New York), by year four these graduates have leapfrogged into much stronger territory.

The $26,000 debt load is reasonable and nearly identical to national and state benchmarks. With a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0 in the first year, graduates aren't facing crushing payments even during that low-earning initial period. The real question is what happens during those early years—whether students are working entry-level jobs while applying to grad school, or if they're in internships and training positions that lead to the substantial bump.

For parents willing to weather a potentially lean first year or two post-graduation, this trajectory looks promising. The degree clearly opens doors that take time to walk through, but Fordham's brand and New York location appear to create pathways that generic psychology programs don't. Just understand you're investing in a longer runway, not immediate financial returns.