Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at Lesley University

Lesley University's psychology program lands graduates at $38,404 in their first year—above the national median but notably below the Massachusetts state average of $39,963. Among the nine schools in Massachusetts offering this degree, Lesley ranks in just the 40th percentile, meaning graduates typically earn less than their in-state peers. This matters for Massachusetts families who might assume a Cambridge location guarantees competitive outcomes: students here start behind those at Emmanuel College ($41,522) and Boston College ($42,384), though they do out-earn Tufts graduates.

The $26,000 debt load is slightly below both state and national medians, which helps offset the middle-tier earnings. At a 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates face roughly eight months of gross income in debt—manageable if they secure full-time employment in their field quickly. Earnings climb to $43,650 by year four, showing 14% growth, though this remains modest for a field where many practitioners need graduate training to advance.

The practical reality: this program won't put your child at a disadvantage compared to most psychology graduates nationally, but within Massachusetts specifically, there are stronger-earning options at a similar debt cost. If your student plans to pursue counseling or clinical work, budget for graduate school as part of the total investment—bachelor's earnings in this field rarely tell the full career story.