Psychology at Notre Dame de Namur University

Notre Dame de Namur's psychology program sits squarely in the middle of the pack nationally and in California, but the small graduating class—fewer than 30 students—means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. The $30,570 starting salary lands just below both national and California medians for psychology degrees, and it trails the state's top performers (like UMass Global's $40,726) by a meaningful margin. However, the debt load of $27,000 is actually lighter than most psychology programs nationwide, keeping the financial burden relatively manageable in those critical early years.

The 54% earnings jump to $47,184 by year four tells a more optimistic story. That growth trajectory suggests graduates are finding their footing, though it's worth noting this could reflect the small sample—perhaps tracking a few high achievers rather than a consistent pattern. For context, psychology degrees typically require patience as graduates build toward careers in counseling, human resources, or graduate school paths that unlock higher earning potential.

**The bottom line:** This program won't give your child a head start compared to other California psychology degrees, but the below-average debt keeps financial risk contained while earnings catch up over time. Just remember that with such a small graduating class, you're essentially making a bet on your child's individual hustle rather than a proven institutional track record. If graduate school is part of the plan—as it often is in psychology—that moderate debt becomes more important than the starting salary.