Psychology at Franklin Pierce University

Franklin Pierce's psychology program underperforms its New Hampshire peers significantly, with first-year earnings of $31,465 placing it in just the 25th percentile statewide—about $7,000 below the state median. Every other major psychology program in the state delivers notably higher starting salaries, with several competitors exceeding $40,000. While the program matches national benchmarks, that's cold comfort when most students will compare their outcomes to neighbors who attended UNH or Rivier.

The debt picture offers some relief: $27,000 is manageable and slightly below the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.90. Earnings do grow 22% by year four, reaching $38,365, which catches up to the state average. However, this catch-up trajectory means graduates spend several years earning substantially less than peers from other New Hampshire schools who start ahead and stay ahead.

The critical caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year and may not represent typical outcomes. For an anxious parent, that uncertainty compounds the already weak in-state positioning. Unless your child has specific reasons to attend Franklin Pierce (fit, scholarship, location), the data suggests looking at New Hampshire alternatives that deliver stronger day-one earnings without requiring years of catch-up growth.