Research and Experimental Psychology at Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola's psychology bachelor's program carries an estimated $24,375 in debt—notably higher than the $21,500 national median for this field—while comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $34,800. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 isn't alarming on its face, but psychology graduates often need graduate degrees to access higher-paying professional roles, meaning this debt could be just the beginning of educational borrowing. The four-year earnings figure of $47,499 shows meaningful salary growth, though reaching that level while managing loan payments on an initial $35,000 salary requires careful budgeting.

The bigger concern is uncertainty. With 88% of applicants admitted and 37% of students receiving Pell grants, Loyola serves a broad student population, but we're relying on national patterns rather than this program's actual track record. Psychology is notoriously variable in outcomes—some graduates land research positions or move into HR and social services, while others struggle to find degree-relevant work without further credentials. Whether Loyola's Jesuit education and New Orleans connections translate to better-than-average placement simply isn't documented here.

If your child is set on psychology and graduate school is part of the plan, this debt level is manageable as a foundation. But if they're hoping a bachelor's alone will launch a career, push them to investigate what Loyola graduates actually do after graduation—job titles, grad school rates, employer connections—because the numbers alone don't tell you whether this specific program delivers.