Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,555
Est. from KS median (12 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,562
Est. from KS median (8 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable psychology programs in Kansas, graduates here might expect around $36,600 in first-year earnings against roughly $27,600 in debt—a manageable 0.75 ratio that suggests each dollar borrowed returns fairly quickly. This tracks closely with the Kansas median for psychology bachelor's programs and actually exceeds the national median of $31,500 by over $5,000. For a school where 41% of students receive Pell grants, that debt load remains relatively contained compared to many private institutions.

The challenge lies in the uncertainty. Because actual graduate outcomes aren't publicly available, we're working from what similar Kansas programs produce. The state's top-performing psychology programs—Fort Hays State and several Ottawa University locations—report earnings in the $39,600-$40,000 range, suggesting there's room for variation. Psychology bachelor's degrees generally require additional credentials for career advancement, meaning these first-year figures represent entry points rather than long-term trajectories.

The practical verdict: if your student is committed to psychology and values Kansas Wesleyan's environment, the estimated debt-to-earnings picture doesn't flash warning signs. But given the data limitations, have candid conversations with current students and recent alumni about actual job placements and graduate school pathways before committing. The numbers suggest reasonable value, but you'll want to verify that promise with people who've lived it.

Where Kansas Wesleyan University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (25 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Kansas Wesleyan UniversitySalina$33,470$36,555*$27,562*
Fort Hays State UniversityHays$5,633$40,009*$40,608$29,000*0.72
Ottawa University-Kansas CityOverland Park$39,596*$27,562*0.70
Ottawa University-OnlineOverland Park$39,596*$27,562*0.70
Ottawa University-OttawaOttawa$35,300$39,596*$27,562*0.70
Washburn UniversityTopeka$9,578$38,264*$37,297$25,249*0.66
National Median$31,482*$25,500*0.81
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychologists, All Other

All psychologists not listed separately.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Neuropsychologists

Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical Neuropsychologists

Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Kansas Wesleyan University, approximately 41% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 12 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.