Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,243
Est. from MN median (23 programs)
Median Debt
$26,428
4% above national median

Analysis

In Minnesota, psychology bachelor's programs show significant variation in early outcomes, and Saint John's lands in the middle of the pack. Similar programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $36,200—below what nearby College of Saint Benedict ($41,000) and Metropolitan State ($41,000) graduates report, but on par with the state median. By year four, earnings climb to $54,200, which represents strong income growth and suggests the program positions graduates reasonably well for career advancement.

The $26,400 in typical debt sits right at Minnesota's average for psychology programs and translates to a 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable but not impressive. For context, this is less debt than the national median for psychology degrees, though the program's first-year earnings don't match the advantage seen at peer schools in Minnesota. With 90% of applicants admitted and only 18% receiving Pell grants, Saint John's serves a relatively advantaged student body, which may help explain why debt levels remain controlled.

The four-year earnings jump is the most encouraging signal here, indicating that graduates develop marketable skills over time. However, parents should recognize that these early-career figures are drawn from comparable programs statewide, not Saint John's specific track record. The program appears to deliver solid mid-term results, but families should verify whether graduates are actually securing positions that justify the investment, particularly given stronger outcomes reported at similarly-priced Minnesota colleges.

Where Saint Johns University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Saint Johns University$54,193
Gustavus Adolphus College$33,174$53,981+63%
University of St Thomas$38,396$51,174+33%
The College of Saint Scholastica$31,367$50,740+62%
Concordia University-Saint Paul$36,243$49,552+37%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (31 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Saint Johns UniversityCollegeville$53,942$36,243*$54,193$26,428
College of Saint BenedictSaint Joseph$53,884$41,029*$45,302$27,0000.66
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul$9,780$40,958*$44,425$30,1550.74
Capella UniversityMinneapolis$14,436$39,764*$43,554$40,8161.03
University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth$14,318$38,543*$45,061$24,2250.63
University of St ThomasSaint Paul$52,284$38,396*$51,174$27,0000.70
National Median$31,482*$25,5000.81
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training, and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychologists, All Other

All psychologists not listed separately.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Neuropsychologists

Apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to evaluate and diagnose disorders of higher cerebral functioning, often in research and medical settings. Study the human brain and the effect of physiological states on human cognition and behavior. May formulate and administer programs of treatment.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Clinical Neuropsychologists

Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

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 Saint Johns University, approximately 18% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 23 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.