Psychology at Longwood University

Longwood's psychology program starts graduates at an alarmingly low $22,656—landing in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th within Virginia. That first-year figure is barely above minimum wage and roughly $10,000 below what typical Virginia psychology graduates earn. With $25,000 in debt, new graduates face an immediate debt burden that exceeds their annual salary, making loan payments potentially unmanageable in those critical early years.

The story improves dramatically by year four, with earnings nearly doubling to $42,137. This 86% growth rate suggests graduates who stick it out do find their footing, eventually surpassing both state and national medians. However, this recovery pattern raises questions about what happens in those first few years—are graduates working retail or service jobs before transitioning to psychology-related work? The gap between Longwood's outcomes and top Virginia programs like VMI ($44,163) or William & Mary ($36,818) is substantial, even accounting for the eventual earnings growth.

For families considering this program, the financial math is challenging. Your child would likely struggle financially for several years post-graduation, making those first loan payments difficult even with income-driven repayment plans. Unless there are compelling reasons to attend Longwood specifically—strong campus fit, geographic ties, or graduate school preparation—the combination of weak initial earnings and moderate debt suggests exploring other Virginia programs that start graduates on more solid financial footing.