Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,679
59th percentile
60th percentile in Virginia
Median Debt
$32,916
29% above national median

Analysis

Liberty University's psychology program delivers solid middle-of-the-pack performance with one major advantage: exceptionally manageable debt levels. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 1.01, graduates leave with roughly one year's salary in loansβ€”far better than the typical psychology program. The median debt of $32,916 ranks in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of psychology programs saddle students with more debt.

Earnings-wise, this program performs respectably, ranking in the 59th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Virginia programs. The $32,679 starting salary slightly exceeds both national ($31,482) and state ($32,142) medians for psychology degrees. While it trails Virginia's top programs by $3,000-11,000 initially, the 13% earnings growth to $36,871 by year four shows decent progression. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these figures reliable.

The bottom line: Liberty's psychology program won't position your child among Virginia's highest earners, but it offers a financially sensible path into the field. With nearly open admissions and strong debt management, it's particularly valuable for families prioritizing affordability over prestige. Your child would graduate with typical earning potential but significantly less financial burden than most psychology majorsβ€”a meaningful advantage in a field where many pursue graduate school.

Where Liberty University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Liberty University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Liberty University$32,679$36,871+13%
Virginia Military Institute$44,163$60,540+37%
University of Virginia-Main Campus$36,121$60,347+67%
Marymount University$33,277$52,616+58%
University of Richmond$36,309$51,312+41%

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (41 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Liberty UniversityLynchburg$21,222$32,679$36,871$32,9161.01
Virginia Military InstituteLexington$20,484$44,163$60,540$19,2500.44
William & MaryWilliamsburg$25,040$36,818$51,232$19,3790.53
George Mason UniversityFairfax$13,815$36,326$48,517$21,0000.58
University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond$62,600$36,309$51,312$25,5000.70
University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville$20,986$36,121$60,347$19,5000.54
National Medianβ€”$31,482β€”$25,5000.81

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 Liberty University, approximately 39% 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 773 graduates with reported earnings and 1439 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.