Psychology at Maryville University of Saint Louis

The small sample size here is critical context, but the numbers still warrant attention: Maryville's psychology graduates start at just $25,204—roughly $7,000 below Missouri's median for this degree and landing in the bottom 5% nationally. That's concerning for a program carrying $21,500 in debt, especially when other St. Louis institutions like Rockhurst produce psychology graduates earning $11,000 more at the start.

The strong earnings growth to nearly $40,000 by year four offers some reassurance, suggesting graduates eventually find better positions or pursue additional credentials. However, that trajectory means several years of struggling to make debt payments on wages barely above minimum wage thresholds. Among Missouri's 39 psychology programs, this one ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings—meaning three-quarters of in-state alternatives deliver better financial outcomes. The debt level is actually moderate compared to peers, but it's still substantial relative to those first-year earnings.

For an anxious parent, the key question is whether this particular program offers advantages beyond the salary data—perhaps clinical connections, graduate school preparation, or specialized tracks. Otherwise, when nearby alternatives produce graduates earning 40% more from day one, the financial case for Maryville's psychology program is difficult to make, even accounting for its high admission rate and reasonable debt levels.