Psychology at Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern's psychology program starts graduates at an alarmingly low $24,711—ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile within Florida. That first-year figure is barely above the federal poverty line and sits well below even Florida's modest state median of $29,702. The $23,000 debt load may look manageable on paper, but when you're earning less than $25,000, it creates real financial strain that could force graduates into unrelated work just to make payments.

The silver lining is genuine earnings growth: income nearly doubles to $41,499 by year four, suggesting graduates who stick with psychology-related work can reach more sustainable wages. However, this still trails stronger Florida programs—University of South Florida graduates earn $32,438 in their first year alone, offering both immediate stability and likely better long-term trajectories. For a selective admission rate of 73% and modest academic profile, these outcomes lag expectations.

The reality is that most psychology bachelor's degrees serve as stepping stones to graduate programs, not terminal credentials. If your child plans to pursue advanced degrees in clinical psychology, counseling, or related fields, the initial earnings matter less. But if they're hoping to work immediately after graduation, this program's weak start makes it difficult to justify over alternatives, particularly when in-state options like USF offer significantly better launching points at likely lower cost.