Psychology at Franciscan University of Steubenville

Franciscan University's psychology program posts surprisingly strong earnings outcomes despite its modest admissions profile. The $35,793 starting salary beats 82% of psychology programs nationally and ranks solidly above Ohio's median of $30,682. While not matching the state's elite private colleges like Kenyon, it outperforms many larger institutions while keeping debt manageable at $25,298—about average for the field.

The 23% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates find their footing in the job market, reaching nearly $44,000 by the four-year mark. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 means graduates owe roughly 8.5 months of their first year's salary, which is reasonable territory for a social science degree. These numbers position this program as a genuine value play, particularly considering psychology graduates often need additional credentials to maximize earnings potential.

The major caveat: these figures come from a small graduating class, so individual outcomes can swing the averages considerably. If your child is considering this program, the Catholic mission and tight-knit community may be strong differentiators, but verify that recent graduates are finding meaningful work rather than relying solely on these promising but limited data points. For families comfortable with the school's distinctive character, the financial fundamentals look sound.