Psychology at Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern's psychology program produces first-year earnings of $27,062—below both the national median ($31,482) and the Georgia median ($28,180). While this places the program in just the 17th percentile nationally, it performs closer to the state median at the 40th percentile among Georgia schools, suggesting the broader challenge facing psychology graduates in the state rather than an institutional problem alone.

The debt load of $27,125 creates a concerning 1:1 ratio with first-year earnings, meaning graduates owe roughly what they'll make in their first year. This isn't catastrophic—the debt sits below the 25th percentile nationally—but earnings growth is modest. By year four, typical graduates are earning $29,444, an increase of just $2,382. For comparison, top-performing Georgia programs like Brenau ($36,497) and Life University ($34,260) deliver substantially higher outcomes, though at potentially higher costs.

For families considering this program, understand that a psychology bachelor's alone typically leads to entry-level roles with limited earning potential. The numbers work better if this is a stepping stone to graduate school or if your student has specific career pathways in mind. If maximizing early earnings is the priority, consider whether other majors or other Georgia institutions might better serve that goal. The 41% Pell grant rate indicates Georgia Southwestern serves many students with limited resources—make sure the post-graduation earnings justify the investment.