Analysis
Robert Morris's psychology program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground for Pennsylvania families. While graduates start at $32,326—slightly above the national median—they're earning below the state's typical $33,399 for psychology majors. This 40th percentile ranking among Pennsylvania schools becomes more significant when you see the gap: top programs like Bucknell and Gettysburg produce graduates earning 50-60% more within the first year.
The $27,000 debt load matches Pennsylvania's median exactly, which means the real issue is the earnings side of the equation. That said, graduates do see solid 28% income growth by year four, reaching $41,260. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 is reasonable for a psychology bachelor's—many graduates will pursue additional credentials anyway. One bright spot: the debt burden ranks in the 25th percentile nationally, meaning most psychology programs leave students with more debt.
The critical caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 recent graduates reported earnings data. For a school that admits 91% of applicants and serves relatively few Pell Grant students, this small dataset raises questions about how representative these outcomes are. If your child is committed to psychology and wants to stay in Pennsylvania, schools like Drexel or King's College deliver measurably stronger early earnings for similar debt levels.
Where Robert Morris University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Robert Morris University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Morris University | $32,326 | $41,260 | +28% |
| Dickinson College | $37,227 | $62,695 | +68% |
| Lafayette College | $36,235 | $60,657 | +67% |
| Lehigh University | $40,942 | $60,072 | +47% |
| Villanova University | $35,462 | $57,566 | +62% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (83 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Robert Morris UniversityMoon Township | $34,940 | $32,326 | $41,260 | $27,000 | 0.84 |
 Bucknell UniversityLewisburg | $64,772 | $51,645 | $50,805 | $27,000 | 0.52 |
 Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg | $64,230 | $50,040 | $50,611 | $27,000 | 0.54 |
 Lehigh UniversityBethlehem | $62,180 | $40,942 | $60,072 | $21,160 | 0.52 |
 Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia | $60,663 | $39,866 | $51,752 | $30,000 | 0.75 |
 King's CollegeWilkes-Barre | $42,600 | $39,818 | $33,268 | $27,000 | 0.68 |
| National Median | — | $31,482 | — | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Robert Morris University, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 47 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.