Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud State's psychology program punches well above its weight class. Graduates earn $42,406 in their first year—23% more than the national median and 15% higher than Minnesota's median for this field. That 95th percentile national ranking is particularly impressive for a school with a 95% admission rate, suggesting the program itself adds substantial value regardless of incoming student credentials. Earnings continue climbing to $46,120 by year four, maintaining steady upward momentum.

The debt picture sweetens the deal considerably. At $24,948, graduates owe about $13,000 less than typical Minnesota psychology majors and roughly $2,000 below the national median. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.59—manageable by any standard. Within Minnesota, Saint Cloud sits comfortably in the 60th percentile, meaning it outperforms most state competitors despite being more accessible. Compare this to Augsburg University, where psychology grads earn nearly $11,000 less annually.

For Minnesota families, this represents an unusually strong return on investment in psychology. The combination of above-average earnings, below-average debt, and consistent growth makes Saint Cloud State a standout option—especially for students who might not gain admission to more selective programs but still want strong career outcomes in psychology.