Psychology at Lycoming College

Lycoming's psychology graduates start modestly at $34,534 but reach $44,392 by year four—a 29% jump that outpaces the typical trajectory for this major. That first-year salary lands in the 74th percentile nationally and 60th among Pennsylvania's 83 psychology programs, meaning graduates are outearning most of their peers despite not attending one of the state's elite liberal arts colleges. The $27,000 median debt sits exactly at Pennsylvania's norm but is actually lower than three-quarters of psychology programs nationwide.

The numbers tell a story of steady career traction rather than instant payoff. While top Pennsylvania schools like Bucknell and Gettysburg place graduates at $50,000+ immediately, their students also typically carry heavier debt loads. Lycoming's debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.78 means graduates owe roughly 9 months of their first year's salary—manageable territory that gets easier to handle as earnings climb. The 40% Pell grant population suggests the college serves students who need education to be an economic ladder, not just a credential.

For families weighing regional options, this represents solid middle-ground value: better outcomes than most Pennsylvania psychology programs without the financial pressure of elite-tier debt. The earnings growth pattern matters more here than the starting point.