Psychology at Framingham State University

Framingham State's psychology program shows something unusual for this major: graduates start modestly but experience substantial income growth, jumping from $34,353 to $50,073 over four years—a 46% increase that significantly outpaces typical psychology degree trajectories. That's meaningful earning power by year four, especially given the relatively manageable $26,810 in debt (lower than 72% of psychology programs nationally).

The trade-off here is geographic. While these outcomes beat national averages handily—ranking in the 73rd percentile—they land at the 40th percentile among Massachusetts psychology programs, where the state median sits at $36,873. You're essentially paying Massachusetts tuition rates (though Framingham State, as a public university, costs less than most private options) while achieving middle-of-the-pack state results. Still, that debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.78 means graduates typically earn more than their debt within the first year, and the trajectory suggests they're finding opportunities that value their degree over time.

For families prioritizing affordability with upside potential, this works. The debt load won't be crushing, and the earnings curve suggests graduates are successfully leveraging their psychology degrees into careers with growth prospects—whether that's through graduate school, human services roles, or adjacent fields. Just understand you're not getting the immediate earning power of Boston College ($44,760) or Bentley ($62,218), though you're also likely incurring substantially less debt at a state school.