Psychology at Mississippi University for Women

A $24,426 starting salary for a four-year degree raises immediate concerns, even by psychology standards. While this sits near the middle for Mississippi psychology programs, it's dramatically below the national median of $31,482—putting graduates in the bottom 5% nationally. The bright spot is relatively modest debt at $22,375, which is actually below both state and national averages for psychology majors. Still, you're looking at nearly a full year's salary in loans, which will strain any budget at this income level.

The context matters here: MUW serves a largely Pell-eligible population (42%) with open admissions, so many students may be choosing between this program and no degree at all. For that comparison group, the math changes. However, if your child has other options, Mississippi's flagship university produces psychology graduates earning $30,336—24% more right out of the gate—for similar debt loads. That $6,000 annual difference compounds significantly over a career.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year, but the pattern is clear: this isn't a strong launching pad for a psychology career. If MUW is the choice due to location or cost factors, your child should plan on graduate school or be prepared for the financial reality of entry-level human services work, where these salaries are unfortunately common.