Psychology at Marist University

Marist's psychology graduates start modestly but experience strong earnings growth, jumping from $33,491 to $52,002 within four years—a 55% increase that significantly outpaces typical trajectory for this degree. While first-year earnings land at the state median, by year four graduates are pulling ahead of most New York psychology programs. Among the 92 schools offering this degree in-state, Marist ranks in the 60th percentile, a respectable position though still well below programs like CUNY's Graduate School ($48,299 starting).

The $25,000 debt load is right at both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75. This means graduates need about nine months of gross income to cover their loans—reasonable for any field, particularly favorable for psychology. The trajectory matters here: while that first year might feel tight financially, the strong upward curve suggests graduates are finding their footing in careers that value the degree, whether in social services, human resources, or adjacent fields that appreciate psychological training.

For parents weighing options, Marist offers a middle-of-the-pack psychology program that becomes more valuable over time. The admission selectivity (65% acceptance, 1285 SAT) and moderate Pell enrollment (15%) suggest you're paying for a traditional private college experience. If your child wants psychology specifically and values that campus environment, the debt-to-outcomes math works—just understand they're not getting the exceptional value of top CUNY programs.