Psychology at Loyola University Maryland

Loyola Maryland's psychology program starts graduates at just $26,103—nearly $5,000 below Maryland's median and ranking in the bottom quarter of the state's psychology programs. Even more striking: nearby competitors like University of Maryland-College Park and UMBC place their psychology graduates into jobs earning roughly $10,000 more right out of the gate. With $27,000 in debt, that first year can feel financially tight.

The dramatic turnaround to $55,969 by year four tells an interesting story, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing—likely through graduate school, career pivots, or simply getting past entry-level positions. That 114% earnings growth is impressive, but it doesn't erase the financial challenge of those early years when debt payments hit hardest. Families should consider whether their student can manage on $26,000 initially, particularly in Baltimore's metro area where living costs aren't trivial.

For parents evaluating this $27,000 investment, the math is straightforward: if your child is headed to graduate school anyway (common for psychology majors), this program could make sense. But if they need immediate earning power after graduation, Maryland's public universities deliver stronger year-one outcomes at lower net prices. The fact that this is a Jesuit institution with solid academics (SAT average of 1292) matters for educational experience, but doesn't change the financial reality that other Maryland options better position psychology graduates for that crucial first job.