Psychology at Roanoke College

Roanoke College psychology graduates see something unusual: their earnings jump 42% by year four, reaching $46,137—well above what most psychology majors earn at that stage. While the starting salary of $32,550 is modest, it outpaces both the national and Virginia medians, placing this program in the 60th percentile statewide.

The debt picture strengthens the case. At $27,000, graduates owe less than 80% of their first-year earnings and carry below-average debt compared to psychology programs nationally. This positions recent grads to manage payments while their income grows. However, even with strong earnings growth, four-year earnings still lag behind Virginia's top-performing programs like VMI and William & Mary by roughly $8,000-12,000. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means individual outcomes vary, but the pattern suggests graduates find paths to better-compensated roles over time.

For families concerned about a psychology degree's return on investment, this program offers a relatively safe bet. The combination of manageable debt and solid earnings trajectory means your child won't face the financial strain common to many psychology graduates. The starting salary won't impress, but the growth curve and debt load make this a workable investment—especially if your student plans to pursue graduate school or career pivots that benefit from that four-year earnings momentum.