Psychology at Point Loma Nazarene University

Point Loma Nazarene's psychology program demonstrates one of the more dramatic earnings trajectories in California, with graduates seeing their income jump 68% between year one and year four—from $27,724 to $46,593. That year-four figure significantly outpaces both the national median ($31,482) and California median ($30,614), though graduates start below these benchmarks. This suggests many students may be pursuing graduate education or entering fields where psychology serves as a foundation rather than the final credential, explaining both the initially modest earnings and the subsequent surge.

The program's positioning in California is solidly middle-of-the-road: 40th percentile for earnings among 84 programs statewide. The $22,411 in median debt sits just above California's median for psychology programs, yielding a manageable first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81. While the initial salary will feel tight—particularly in expensive San Diego—the rapid earnings growth suggests graduates are finding their footing relatively quickly.

For families evaluating this program, the key question is whether your student plans to continue their education or enter a field that values the trajectory over the starting point. If graduate school is likely, this program delivers strong outcomes at a reasonable debt load. If your student expects their bachelor's degree to be terminal, the low starting salary relative to California's cost of living deserves serious consideration.