Analysis
Lebanon Valley College's psychology graduates start earning $37,267βnearly $6,000 above the national median and $4,000 above Pennsylvania's typical outcome. While that places them in the 92nd percentile nationally, it's worth noting they land in the middle of the pack compared to other Pennsylvania psychology programs, which suggests the state has an unusually strong lineup of psychology departments. The $27,000 debt load matches Pennsylvania's median exactly and sits well below the national average, creating a manageable 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio.
The 24% earnings growth over four years is encouraging, with salaries reaching $46,176 by year fourβa trajectory that puts these graduates on solid financial footing. However, there's an important caveat: this data comes from a small sample (under 30 graduates), which means these numbers could shift significantly with a larger group. One year's cohort of graduates who landed particularly good jobs could skew the results upward.
For parents evaluating this program, the combination of above-average starting salaries and below-average debt creates a reasonable value proposition for psychology, a field not typically known for high early earnings. Just recognize that the small sample size means you're making decisions with less certainty than you'd have at larger programs with more robust data.
Where Lebanon Valley College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Lebanon Valley College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon Valley College | $37,267 | $46,176 | +24% |
| Dickinson College | $37,227 | $62,695 | +68% |
| Lafayette College | $36,235 | $60,657 | +67% |
| Lehigh University | $40,942 | $60,072 | +47% |
| Villanova University | $35,462 | $57,566 | +62% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (83 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,320 | $37,267 | $46,176 | $27,000 | 0.72 | |
| $64,772 | $51,645 | $50,805 | $27,000 | 0.52 | |
| $64,230 | $50,040 | $50,611 | $27,000 | 0.54 | |
| $62,180 | $40,942 | $60,072 | $21,160 | 0.52 | |
| $60,663 | $39,866 | $51,752 | $30,000 | 0.75 | |
| $42,600 | $39,818 | $33,268 | $27,000 | 0.68 | |
| National Median | β | $31,482 | β | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
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 Lebanon Valley College, approximately 22% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 31 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.