Psychology at Muskingum University

Muskingum's psychology program shows an unusual pattern that should give parents pause, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. First-year graduates earn $37,636—well above the national median and landing in the 94th percentile nationally—but those same students see their earnings drop to $34,807 by year four. That 7% decline is concerning and runs counter to the typical career trajectory where earnings should grow as workers gain experience.

The debt picture, at $27,625, is manageable relative to first-year earnings (0.73 ratio), though notably higher than both state and national medians. Among Ohio's 74 psychology programs, Muskingum lands solidly at the 60th percentile—respectable but not exceptional. Programs like Kenyon and John Carroll consistently produce graduates earning $2,000-3,000 more annually. The bigger question is what happens after that strong initial placement: are graduates switching careers, underemployed, or facing a ceiling in their chosen field?

With 41% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are making significant financial sacrifices. The small sample means one or two outlier careers could be skewing these results dramatically. If you're considering this program, ask the career center about job placement patterns and why earnings might decline—that's the detail that matters most here, and it's impossible to assess from these numbers alone.