Psychology at Kenyon College

Kenyon's psychology graduates earn significantly more than peers at most Ohio schools—about $8,500 above the state median—but these impressive numbers come from a very small sample that may not represent typical outcomes. Among Ohio's 74 psychology programs, these earnings rank in the 80th percentile, topping even larger universities like Miami and John Carroll. Nationally, they're in the 95th percentile. However, with fewer than 30 graduates reporting, this data could easily reflect a handful of unusually successful students rather than a reliable pattern.

The financial picture looks manageable on paper: $19,000 in debt against $39,200 in first-year earnings creates a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5, which is reasonable for liberal arts graduates. Earnings do grow to $42,000 by year four, though that's modest growth for a selective school (31% admission rate, 1440 SAT average). Psychology bachelor's degrees typically don't lead to high-paying careers without graduate school, and even Kenyon's strong showing doesn't change that fundamental dynamic.

For affluent families who can afford Kenyon's tuition and aren't concerned about immediate earnings, this program appears solid. But if you're counting on strong returns to justify the investment, be cautious: the small sample makes these numbers unreliable, and even the reported earnings are middling for graduates of such a selective institution. Consider whether your child plans graduate school—where Kenyon's preparation might prove more valuable than these bachelor's-level numbers suggest.