Psychology at Mount Mary University

Mount Mary's psychology graduates face a challenging reality: while their earnings outpace the national median by nearly $3,000, they're actually earning below the Wisconsin state median for psychology majors. In a state where UW-Whitewater psychology graduates earn $38,376 within a year and several private colleges push into the low $40,000s, Mount Mary's $34,411 first-year earnings place it in the 40th percentile statewide—meaning 60% of Wisconsin psychology programs deliver stronger initial outcomes.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $26,987, graduates carry slightly more than the state median but benefit from relatively steady 11% earnings growth over four years. That 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, especially compared to many psychology programs where students graduate owing more than they'll earn in their first year. Mount Mary serves a predominantly lower-income student body (58% receive Pell grants), and the accessible admissions likely help students avoid the debt loads seen at more selective institutions.

For Wisconsin families, this is a program that gets your child across the finish line without crushing debt, but it won't position them at the top of the state's psychology job market. If your student can gain admission to UW-Whitewater or one of the higher-performing Wisconsin privates, the $4,000-$11,000 difference in starting salary compounds significantly over a career. Mount Mary works best for students who need the supportive environment of a smaller, open-access institution and understand they may need graduate school or strategic career planning to reach higher earning potential.