Psychology at Loyola Marymount University

LMU's psychology program starts slow but delivers something rare: graduates nearly double their income by year four. That $30,848 starting salary trails both national and California averages, but the climb to $50,731 represents 65% growth—significantly outpacing the typical psychology graduate's trajectory. Among California's 84 psychology programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, placing it solidly above the state median despite the modest start.

The $20,500 debt load is actually lighter than both state and national medians for psychology degrees, though it still sits in the 84th percentile nationally—meaning most programs saddle students with less debt. At this selective private university (40% acceptance rate), families might expect higher borrowing, but LMU keeps debt relatively contained. The first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 reflects that slow start, but becomes far more manageable as earnings accelerate.

The critical question is whether families can weather those first few years. If your student has family support or a financial cushion to make it through the initial earnings phase, the trajectory looks promising. But if they'll be immediately making loan payments on that starting salary, the math gets tighter. This program rewards patience—graduates who can hold on see meaningful income growth that eventually justifies the investment.