Psychology at Ottawa University-Surprise

Ottawa University-Surprise's psychology graduates are earning $39,596 one year out—nearly $6,000 above the Arizona median and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. That's a significant premium over what most psychology majors make, even compared to larger state schools like Arizona State ($37,312) and University of Arizona ($33,699). For a bachelor's program that typically struggles with earnings outcomes, these numbers stand out.

The debt picture is more nuanced. At $27,562, borrowing is higher than Arizona's median of $23,000 for psychology programs, but still reasonable given the earnings advantage. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 means graduates earn substantially more than they owe, which puts them in a manageable position for repayment. That said, psychology degrees often lead to graduate school, so families should factor in whether additional borrowing lies ahead.

What's interesting here is the disconnect between the school's modest selectivity (40% admission rate, 978 SAT) and the strong career outcomes. This suggests either strong local employer relationships or a program structure that effectively prepares students for higher-paying positions. For families comparing options in Arizona, this program delivers better first-year earnings than any other psychology program in the state, which justifies the slightly higher debt load. Just recognize that the 60th state percentile ranking shows you're paying a bit more for that performance edge.