Psychology at Merrimack College

Merrimack's psychology graduates start earning just $34,453 their first year—below the state median of $36,873—but then see something unusual happen: earnings jump 45% to nearly $50,000 by year four. While this growth trajectory is encouraging, it's worth noting that at the 40th percentile among Massachusetts psychology programs, Merrimack sits in the middle of the pack statewide, well behind schools like Bentley ($62,218) and Boston College ($44,760).

The $27,000 debt load is actually reasonable, coming in at the 25th percentile nationally (meaning lower debt than 75% of psychology programs). The 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation looks manageable, and as earnings climb past $49,000, this ratio improves significantly. The program does perform better than most psychology programs nationwide (73rd percentile), even if it's middling within Massachusetts's competitive landscape.

For parents, the question comes down to expectations. If your child plans to pursue graduate school or enter a field where psychology serves as a foundation rather than the endpoint, this program offers solid preparation without crushing debt. But if the goal is immediate high earning potential, understand that psychology as a field starts slowly everywhere—Merrimack just happens to be in a state with particularly strong competing programs.