Psychology at Loyola University New Orleans

A $26,000 debt load against $36,890 in first-year earnings positions this program near the national median for psychology bachelor's degrees. While both figures are estimates based on similar programs elsewhere—Loyola's actual graduate outcomes remain unreported due to small sample sizes—the 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment under standard loan terms, requiring roughly 7% of gross income.

The challenge with psychology bachelor's degrees isn't unique to Loyola: this field typically demands graduate education for most professional roles. That $36,890 figure reflects work in social services, research assistance, or adjacent fields rather than clinical practice. Nationally, psychology programs show wide variation, with top performers reaching $47,000+ in early earnings. Whether Loyola graduates land closer to the median or higher depends heavily on factors these estimates can't capture—internship quality, networking opportunities, and New Orleans's relatively modest job market for bachelor's-level psychology roles.

For families considering this investment, the math works if your child either plans graduate school (making the bachelor's a stepping stone) or enters the workforce with realistic salary expectations and keeps borrowing at or below this estimated level. The 88% admission rate and substantial Pell enrollment suggest accessibility, but remember: these debt and earnings figures are educated guesses based on peer institutions, not tracked outcomes from Loyola's actual graduates.