Analysis
Based on comparable psychology programs in Nebraska, Midland graduates likely earn around $35,200 in their first year—roughly in line with the state median but trailing the top programs by several thousand dollars. The $27,000 debt load sits slightly above both the state and national benchmarks for psychology bachelor's degrees, though it's far from catastrophic. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77, meaning your child would owe about nine months of their first year's salary.
The challenge with psychology at the bachelor's level is that it rarely leads to high-paying entry-level positions regardless of where you earn the degree. Nebraska's psychology programs cluster tightly between $35,000 and $40,000 in first-year earnings, and Midland appears positioned near the middle of that range. The debt here is manageable but not particularly low—your child would be borrowing about the same as psychology students nationwide while likely earning outcomes that match local competitors.
For families considering this path, understand that most psychology graduates either pursue graduate school (adding more debt) or pivot to adjacent fields like social services, HR, or case management. The estimated numbers suggest Midland won't disadvantage your child compared to other Nebraska options, but psychology as a field presents financial challenges everywhere. If your child is committed to psychology and plans to work immediately after graduation, this debt level is workable—but only if they understand the realistic salary ceiling for bachelor's-level positions.
Where Midland University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,270 | $35,218* | — | $27,000 | — | |
| $39,330 | $39,883* | $37,301 | $27,000 | 0.68 | |
| $8,886 | $38,928* | — | $28,833 | 0.74 | |
| $8,370 | $36,094* | $40,143 | $21,783 | 0.60 | |
| $41,658 | $35,540* | $40,348 | $27,000 | 0.76 | |
| $40,491 | $34,896* | $36,610 | $27,000 | 0.77 | |
| National Median | — | $31,482* | — | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Midland University, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in NE. Actual outcomes may vary.