Psychology (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Missouri State University-Springfield

Median Earnings (1yr)

$30,134

5th percentile

Median Debt

$26,010

15% above national median

Analysis

The small sample size here makes definitive judgments tricky, but Missouri State's psychology certificate shows a troubling pattern: graduates earn barely above minimum wage ($30,134) while carrying over $26,000 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.86 means nearly a full year's salary would go toward repaying loans—a heavy burden for someone making just $2,500 monthly before taxes.

The state percentile of 60th sounds encouraging until you realize there are only two programs in Missouri offering this credential, making the comparison essentially meaningless. Nationally, this program sits at the bottom 5th percentile for earnings while paradoxically carrying more debt than 95% of comparable programs. That's a red flag: you're paying more to earn less.

For a psychology certificate specifically, the entire credential type appears questionable. With only 56 programs nationwide and median earnings barely reaching $30,000, this isn't a pathway with strong market validation. If your child is genuinely interested in psychology, a full bachelor's degree—which typically yields $40,000-$45,000 starting salaries—makes far more financial sense than stopping at a certificate with limited career utility and outsized debt relative to earnings potential.

Where Missouri State University-Springfield Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all psychology certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Missouri State University-Springfield graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Psychology certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield	$9,024	$30,134	—	$26,010	0.86
Davidson CollegeDavidson	$60,300	$31,401	$54,884	$18,500	0.59
National Median	—	$30,768	—	$22,662	0.74

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychologists, All Other

All psychologists not listed separately.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Neuropsychologists

Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical Neuropsychologists

Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

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 Missouri State University-Springfield, approximately 21% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.