Psychology at Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Louisiana State University-Shreveport's psychology bachelor's produces an unusual outcome: graduates start below the national average at $28,863, but by year four they're earning $42,037—a 46% jump that outpaces typical psychology program trajectories. More telling is the state comparison: while this program ranks in just the 28th percentile nationally, it hits the 60th percentile among Louisiana psychology programs, suggesting it performs solidly within its regional market despite being an open-access institution (83% admission rate).

The $28,000 in debt is actually a strength here, coming in at the 15th percentile nationally—meaning 85% of psychology programs leave students with more debt. That's particularly valuable given the modest starting salary. The near-parity debt-to-earnings ratio (0.97) looks manageable when you factor in that strong mid-career growth, though families should recognize that first year will be financially tight.

The real question is whether your child will stick it out to see those year-four earnings. Psychology typically requires graduate school for higher-paying clinical work, so if that's the plan, LSUS provides an affordable launching pad without excessive undergraduate debt. For students planning to work immediately after graduation, understand that other Louisiana programs (Dillard, Northwestern State) start graduates $3,000-4,000 higher, though none offer dramatically better prospects that would justify significantly more debt.