Psychology at Saint Edward's University

Saint Edward's psychology graduates start well below expectations but experience remarkable earnings growth, jumping 65% from $26,709 in year one to $44,181 by year four. That final figure surpasses not just the Texas median ($30,932) but also beats programs at Rice and Texas Christian. The catch? You're paying for that eventual outcome upfront—the first-year salary lands in just the 15th percentile nationally, creating a difficult early period where graduates earn barely above minimum wage while managing $24,000 in debt.

The program sits right at the Texas median for debt but delivers middling value among state options—40th percentile for earnings. Compare this to UT Permian Basin graduates who start at $46,009, immediately earning 72% more than Saint Edward's first-year alumni. With a 0.90 debt-to-earnings ratio, recent graduates will struggle financially in those crucial first years after college, likely requiring family support or second jobs to stay current on loan payments.

This program makes sense only if you're confident about graduate school or have a specific career path that takes time to develop. The strong year-four earnings suggest graduates who persist do find their footing, but you're gambling on your child being among those who can weather the lean early years without derailing their financial independence. For families needing immediate post-graduation earnings to justify the investment, Saint Edward's psychology is too risky.