Research and Experimental Psychology at Park University

Park University's psychology graduates start strong, earning over $40,000 in their first year—well above the national median and placing in the 79th percentile nationally. But that's where the good news ends. By year four, earnings drop to $34,504, a concerning 14% decline that flips the program from a standout performer to merely average. While the $24,000 in debt is manageable in isolation, it becomes less appealing when paired with earnings that trend downward rather than upward.

Within Missouri, the picture is more competitive than it might initially appear. Despite the strong first-year showing, this program sits at just the 60th percentile statewide, trailing Washington University and even mid-tier options like Northwest Missouri State. The earnings decline suggests graduates may be landing in entry-level positions without clear advancement opportunities, or that many pursue graduate school (which temporarily suppresses earnings). For families banking on that $40,000 starting salary to persist, that assumption deserves scrutiny.

The debt burden is reasonable and the robust sample size confirms these aren't outliers. But parents should ask: what happens after year one? If this degree is a stepping stone to graduate school, the trajectory makes sense. If it's meant to launch a career directly, the declining earnings are a significant red flag that demands explanation before committing.