Psychology at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's psychology program stands out for its strong earnings trajectory, with graduates seeing a robust 38% income increase from $32,276 in year one to $44,475 by year four. This growth pattern significantly outpaces what you'll find at most psychology programs, where earnings often plateau early. At the 60th percentile among Ohio psychology programs, OSU graduates earn about $1,600 more than the state median right after graduation, and this gap likely widens over time given the strong growth curve.

The debt picture is reasonable but not exceptional. At $22,145, graduate debt sits well below both national and state medians for psychology programs, though it still ranks in the 78th percentile nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 means graduates typically owe about 8 months of their first-year salary—manageable territory that becomes even more comfortable as earnings grow.

While OSU doesn't crack the top tier of Ohio psychology programs (several smaller schools see higher starting salaries), it offers something many don't: clear upward earnings momentum combined with the resources and alumni network of a major research university. For families weighing the investment, this program delivers solid value through its combination of controlled debt levels and strong income growth potential.