Psychology at Saint Elizabeth University

Saint Elizabeth University's psychology program shows a troubling pattern in its first-year outcomes, with graduates earning just $22,040—roughly $8,000 below the state median and landing in the bottom 5% nationally. That initial figure places it well behind every other major psychology program in New Jersey, from public universities like Montclair State ($33,432) to private competitors like Georgian Court ($36,117). For a program charging $25,000 in median debt, that first year represents a difficult financial position.

The dramatic improvement to $43,207 by year four tells a more complicated story. This 96% earnings jump could reflect graduates finding their footing in entry-level mental health or social service roles that require licensing or additional training. However, this positive trajectory comes with an important caveat: these figures are based on fewer than 30 graduates, making them statistically fragile. A handful of outlier outcomes could be skewing the picture in either direction.

Parents should recognize that more than half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the university serves a population where taking on $25,000 in debt for a $22,000 starting salary creates immediate financial strain. If your child is considering psychology with plans for graduate school—common for this field—they'll be adding debt on top of already-challenging undergraduate numbers. Unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to attend, the combination of weak initial placement and uncertain data makes this a program to approach cautiously.