Psychology at Guilford College

Guilford College's psychology program starts graduates at $27,740—below both the national and North Carolina medians for this field. While that places it in just the 21st percentile nationally, it's worth noting this is actually middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina (40th percentile), where psychology earnings tend to run lower than the national average. The debt load of $29,460 is relatively modest compared to peer programs, ranking in the favorable 5th percentile for debt nationwide.

The more encouraging story emerges in year four, when median earnings jump to $39,372—a 42% increase that suggests graduates find their footing in the job market. However, that first year presents real financial pressure: with a debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0, graduates owe more than they'll earn in those initial 12 months. For families already stretching to pay for college, this means having a plan for how your child will manage loan payments on an entry-level salary.

This is a program that requires patience and realistic expectations. Psychology graduates from Guilford aren't starting where they'd be at Wake Forest or Elon, but they're also not taking on the debt levels common at private colleges. If your child is committed to psychology and considering graduate school anyway—common in this field—Guilford provides an affordable undergraduate foundation. Just ensure they understand the first-year financial reality.